Get those amps plugged in with digital :D

Zirax · 25-11-2007, 18:00

I have an ageing Philips surround sound system (LX-300) for use on my main pc (about 4-500 when new). Now I also have a Cambridge audio DAB500 receiver. For years these were hooked up by analogue connectors. The audio sounded deadened/muffled and the sub has never kicked as much as I hoped. I put it down to the amp/speakers not being that expensive.

I was moving some bits around today and realised that my units can connect digitally. I don't have a spare optical cable, so I am using a phono digital connection. Simply bloody hell !! The whole system has come alive. The music has sooo so much more top and low end, there is just so much more content. I think i'll be hooking up my pc with optical outputs now (driver issue previously).

So if anyone has an amp knocking around, do switch over as the difference could be a lot more than you think. This unit will also act as a good receiver so in the future I could connect up a power amp with better speakers.

SidewinderINC · 25-11-2007, 18:03

My Amp doesn't have digital in or out :cries:

But having said that, my gutiars and cabs don't have digital in or out either

I need to get a good set of separates, wish I could afford some.

Zirax · 25-11-2007, 18:17

Head over to avforums and have a look around the for sale sections and the general separates sections. The prices that those guys let top end components go for is just plain nuts! Twice today I have nearly brought setups

SidewinderINC · 25-11-2007, 19:13

Cheers for the advice, I'll do that when I get my place sorted

Nutcase · 25-11-2007, 21:45

You're welcome to try an optical cable if you like? Got a couple of them lying around doing nowt until I get around to sorting my minidisk player.

Most of the time I run analogue to my amp, but then the decoder with my soundcard is better than the one in my amp - and it's also the only way to listen to DVD-A.

Flibster · 25-11-2007, 22:21

I've done both.
Optical for DVD's and other things that I can use optical for properly
As it's an X-Fi I've got it plugged in through with 6 cables for everthing else.

Gaming mostly.

LeperousDust · 26-11-2007, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zirax

Head over to avforums and have a look around the for sale sections and the general separates sections. The prices that those guys let top end components go for is just plain nuts! Twice today I have nearly brought setups

Where were you bringing them

Sorry i just can't help it

On a sensible note everytime i go there i have to hold back buying second hand stuff, since i don't actually have anything decent, its awful but i use my laptop for everything, at least that way i have the same (****e) audio/video here and at uni

For half the price kinda too...

Mondo · 26-11-2007, 18:52

Are we talking about Digital Radio ?

LeperousDust · 26-11-2007, 19:01

I think we're talking about interconnects between anything really, digital being better basically... Or as good as very top end (read: silly expensive) anologue.

Mondo · 26-11-2007, 19:26

But If the amp is analogue (which mine is) or even if its Digital, by using a optical cable form the CD player to the amp all you are doing is instead of using the DAC in the CD player, you are now using the DAC in the amp. So the CD player basically turned into a transport and the quality of the music is down to the quality of the DAC in the Amp.

Sound eventually goes to analog in the end anyway, so I don't know how much improvement (if any) if we are talking about CD -> amp, that is if you have a good CD player in the first place obviously.

25-11-2007, 18:00	#1
Zirax Goes up to 11! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,577	Get those amps plugged in with digital :D I have an ageing Philips surround sound system (LX-300) for use on my main pc (about 4-500 when new). Now I also have a Cambridge audio DAB500 receiver. For years these were hooked up by analogue connectors. The audio sounded deadened/muffled and the sub has never kicked as much as I hoped. I put it down to the amp/speakers not being that expensive. I was moving some bits around today and realised that my units can connect digitally. I don't have a spare optical cable, so I am using a phono digital connection. Simply bloody hell !! The whole system has come alive. The music has sooo so much more top and low end, there is just so much more content. I think i'll be hooking up my pc with optical outputs now (driver issue previously). So if anyone has an amp knocking around, do switch over as the difference could be a lot more than you think. This unit will also act as a good receiver so in the future I could connect up a power amp with better speakers.

25-11-2007, 18:03	#2
SidewinderINC Joey Tempest Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gravesend. Posts: 2,751	My Amp doesn't have digital in or out :cries: But having said that, my gutiars and cabs don't have digital in or out either I need to get a good set of separates, wish I could afford some. __________________ No Sig.

25-11-2007, 19:13	#4
SidewinderINC Joey Tempest Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gravesend. Posts: 2,751	Cheers for the advice, I'll do that when I get my place sorted __________________ No Sig.

25-11-2007, 22:21	#6
Flibster Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,388	I've done both. Optical for DVD's and other things that I can use optical for properly As it's an X-Fi I've got it plugged in through with 6 cables for everthing else. Gaming mostly. __________________

26-11-2007, 18:52	#8
Mondo Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,174	Are we talking about Digital Radio ? __________________ My Website / MSN / Email / Flickr / Blog

25-11-2007, 18:17	#3
Zirax Goes up to 11! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,577	Head over to avforums and have a look around the for sale sections and the general separates sections. The prices that those guys let top end components go for is just plain nuts! Twice today I have nearly brought setups

25-11-2007, 21:45	#5
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	You're welcome to try an optical cable if you like? Got a couple of them lying around doing nowt until I get around to sorting my minidisk player. Most of the time I run analogue to my amp, but then the decoder with my soundcard is better than the one in my amp - and it's also the only way to listen to DVD-A.

26-11-2007, 19:01	#9
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	I think we're talking about interconnects between anything really, digital being better basically... Or as good as very top end (read: silly expensive) anologue. __________________

26-11-2007, 19:26	#10
Mondo Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,174	But If the amp is analogue (which mine is) or even if its Digital, by using a optical cable form the CD player to the amp all you are doing is instead of using the DAC in the CD player, you are now using the DAC in the amp. So the CD player basically turned into a transport and the quality of the music is down to the quality of the DAC in the Amp. Sound eventually goes to analog in the end anyway, so I don't know how much improvement (if any) if we are talking about CD -> amp, that is if you have a good CD player in the first place obviously. __________________ My Website / MSN / Email / Flickr / Blog