This is Probably One Of The Most Common Asked Questions...

[Alty]

I have just had a quick look over the first 8 pages of Sound City and not seen the question I am about to ask for a while....

You have got a hi-fi amp with bi-wire cables connected to your lovely speakers (Sirocco Crossfire in my case) and active subwoofer. You just purchased an X-Fi Fatal1ty soundcard. The question is this:

How the hell do you get 5.1 (or any kind of) surround sound capability when Creative in their wisdom create a proprietary set up requiring 3 line out jacks?

Connecting to one of their own brand speaker set ups is easy as pie but for those of us who want to incorporate our own amp/speaker set up and not have to fork out for a whole new speaker system is really infuriating.

I read very carefully thru the instruction manual and it seems I will only be able to have 2.1 max. Surely this can't be right?!? I just feel a lil bit peeved at the moment - maybe I'm missin summit obvious but I just have no idea

Can someone please help me before I think about the money I have apparently wasted on such a lovely sound card that currently I cannot use to its full potential....

 

[Alty]

The amp has phonos (amongst other connections such as digital) so I connect the soundcard to the amp with a 3.5mm to 2 phono cable.

- I can't connect 3 sets of 3.5mm as each input (TV/DVD/CD/Radio etc) on the amp only has 2 phonos or 1 digital input

- I have 5 individual speakers connected to the amp each using bi-wire and to their own individual connection on the amp (IE: L, R, Centre, Rear L and Rear R as well as an active sub-woofer).

- I didn't buy a 5.1 system, I happened to have the components to create a 5.1 set up - I have 12 Sirocco Crossfire speakers so decided to use 5 and simply add an amp and sub-woofer to make a 5.1 sound system (which I may add works fine with both DVD player and Xbox).

I just don't see why I need to buy a 5.1 setup when I already have the equipment at home - its just a case of tryin to work out the connections, etc.

TBH i am gonna be really peeved if I need to buy a new set up.

**EDIT** The crossfires DO rock

 

[Alty]

I have the speakers connected to a "Pioneer VSX-D510" Multi-Channel Reciever.

The surround sound I get from the DVD and Xbox are from the Digital connections.

If I were to connect the X-Fi soundcard via digital - what output would I use since they are only 3.5mm jacks anyway? I dont have the (black) break out box installed as it currently doesn't match my Coolermaster Aluminium Case - vanity I know!

 

[Alty]

my receiver only has the options of a digital or 2 phonos per input. What kinda amp/receiver do you know of that can take 3 3.5mm to 3 stereo phonos?

**EDIT**
Been lookin in the handbook n think I may know what you mean now - will have to check to see if i got enuff cables now!

**EDIT 2**
Got it up n running - ty for your help (woo woooooo!)