Sound Card vs Amplifier

[JEB]

Hi,

I am about to have a new PC built and was wondering about the sound card. Presently I use an amplifier and speakers (big beast - was part on an old domestic Music Center) for shows in large halls. It gets plugged into the headphone socket of my PC and gives me control of R+L balance, base, treble and creates a wonderful sound. I was wondering if any of these fancy gaming sounblaster type cards would do the same job. I came across the following as an example but don't understand the lingo. If anybody has any experience in this department I would be most grateful for your views.

X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Champion Series

Technical Specifications

* 24-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion of analog inputs at 96kHz sample rate 24-bit

* Analog-to-Digital conversion of analog inputs at 96kHz sample rate 24-bit

* Digital-to-Analog conversion of stereo digital sources at 192kHz to stereo output 16-bit to 24-bit

* recording sampling rates: 8,11.025,16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz

* ASIO 2.0 support at 16bit/44.1kHz, 16-bit/48kHz, 24-bit/44.

* 1kHz 24-bit/48kHz and 24-bit/96kHz with direct monitoring

* Enhanced SoundFont support at up to 24-bit resolution

* 64MB of X-RAM

* Connectivity (Sound Card)

o Mic In/Line In

o Headphone/Front Left & Right Speaker

o Output Side Left & Right Speaker

o Output Center/Sub

o Output Rear Left & Right Speaker

o Output Optical Digital SPDIF

o Output Optical Digital SPDIF Input

o Intel HD Front Panel Header

* X-Fi I/O Drive connectors Connectivity (X-Fi I/O Drive)

o Mic In AUX in

o Headphone Output

Regards

John

[fh1805]

John,

It is my understanding that soundcards for PCs deliver "line level" signals via their jack sockets (the same kind of signal levels that you find passing between the separate items of an old-fashioned, multi-box hi-fi system. Therefore you always need amplification of this signal. For A-V shows that means either an amplifier and passive speakers or a pair of active speakers (speakers in which one of the housings includes an amplifier).

If you're going to be at Snods Edge on Saturday we can have a chat there and post a summary of our discussions; if not, we can keep this dialogue going on the forum.

regards,

Peter

[JEB]

Peter,

I suspected I was barking up the wrong tree, but thought I should ask.

Look forward to having a chat on Saturday.

John.

[Guest Yachtsman1]

Jeb

The spec I passed on contains a Hi-Definition 7.1 premium quality audio chipset which I think is part of the motherboard. I think this will pass a surround sound signal through a surround sound amplifier. I had one of these when we lived in Spain & the sound was fantastic, but I'm not sure how that would suit AV, probably raise some eyebrows

Regards Eric

Yachtsman1

[fh1805]

...Hi-Definition 7.1 premium quality audio chipset ...will pass a surround sound signal through a surround sound amplifier...but I'm not sure how that would suit AV, probably raise some eyebrows...

Just think of all those trip hazards (= cables) in a large hall. How's your Liability Insurance?

regards,

Peter

[Guest Yachtsman1]

Actually, if you have a bottomless money pit, there are wireless surround sound systems.

Regards Eric

Yachtsman1

[fh1805]

They might be wire-less as far as the signal is concerned but they ain't cable-free when it comes to powering them. There would still be a significant trip hazard.

regards,

Peter