Possible To Connect A Comp To Amplifier/Receiver?

Santa · 6th June 2003, 10:20 PM

Hi all
My dad has a Denon amplifier/receiver and I was wondering if and if possible, how I would go about connecting my comp to it.
I'm using an NF7-S mobo. Is it possible to connect the two together, and if so, what cables or parts would I need?
Or would I need a soundcard?
Or would it just be impossible?

Thanks in advance.

Santa

richan3185 · 6th June 2003, 10:28 PM

why not use soundstorm...DD out to the reciever and ur set. Does the NF have the digital out? If it does u just need a length of coax

SpeedRacer · 6th June 2003, 10:28 PM

Youve got a great motherboard there for hooking up to a digital receiver.

The NForce2 Platorm gives you the added bonus of encoding a multichannel dolby digital signal that will give you surround sound support in applications other than things like dvd's doing spdif out. This option is only available on nforce motherboards.

Soundcards either otherwise only output stereo digital or a direct passthrough (spdif) of a dvd audio soundtrack.

Apparently the NF7-S has an optical digital output (I dont have one but read a spec on abits site). So you need to get an optical cable (which are unfortunately not that cheap) and connect it from the appropriate connector on your motherboard to an optical input on the receiver (which I'm assuming you have spare).

Viola . . . switch the amp to that input and the output in the nvidia config manager to digital out and it should work!

Santa · 6th June 2003, 10:37 PM

heheh
ok
excellent

cept that my dads receiver is like 10+ yrs old. Apparently, it was like the best when he got it.
He took the manual to Strathfield a few days ago to get a sub and two more speakers.
The receiver only has analogue inputs. So does this mean that it is not possible?

The nf7s has an optical out, for those minidiscs etc..
The picture you see at the abit website has that connector with something sticking out of it?
But my mobo doesnt have it? I think its been pushed in or something??

I'l edit this post once I'v got the url for the pic.
edit: http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/large.php?model=6. Its the black connector thing at the top of the board.

Thanks for all the help so far guys.

SpeedRacer · 6th June 2003, 10:46 PM

Ok well you didnt specify what model of your receiver so I assumed it was probably a fairly modern Digital decoder.

Yeah the digital optical connector is that little black thing at the top of the board. The picture shown as the cover in place, its a little black bit of plastic that plugs into it to prevent dust blocking the optics. Yours may not have the plug there but instead a flap that goes in when you push a plug (or something similar) into it.

But it may be a version that doesnt have a digital connection. BTW the digital out is not just for minidisc.

Now your amplifier must have an optical input for it to work with the optical output of your motherboard.

Maybe it the receiver is a bit older it may only have a Coaxial input on it. Its possible that if the abit board doesnt have a coaxial digital out . . . it has the header pins for you to get an expansion bracket containing one. Many motherboards these days do so look in your manual it should let you know there.

Coaxial connections work the same way as the optical. The plug is a standard RCA type plug but you only have one because its digital. I think coaxial is far better than optical because the cables are HEAPS cheaper and there is no audible difference between using the different connection methods.

Santa · 6th June 2003, 10:54 PM

Sorry about not mentioning the age of the receiver.
So I can get that front panel thing for the abit mobo.

What about an audigy or similar soundcard?

Would I be able to connect those ordinary stereo 3.5/6.5 (those normal speaker connectors) to a coax adapter cable and then into the receiver?

Also, sound cards have a rear right/left, front right/left and centre/sub. Receivers have a left and right connections? Or is it just my dads one because its older?

SpeedRacer · 6th June 2003, 11:06 PM

Your best bet is to check the manual for the motherboard if you have it to see if you can get what should be called an spdif adapter, but you might wanna check the receiver has a digital input before you bother spending money on such a device.

The ordinary stereo 3.5mm are not digital connections. They're analog and although they're not bad quality, they're not as good as using digital if you can.

Getting another soundcard is not really necessary imho as the nforce sound solution is still quite good compared to a seperate soundcard.

Your dad's receiver is probably just a stereo one, not one of the more advanced digital multichannel decoding ones. As a result it probably might only have analog stereo inputs. This is still ok though if its a pretty good receiver hooked up to some nice speakers.

Santa · 6th June 2003, 11:18 PM

I'm a bit confused.
What is the cheapest way to connect the two, with the mobos 3.5mm outs to the left/rights of the receiver?

I have seen those 3.5mm to RCA cables.
They would do is this correct? If this is ok, I'm a worried about the fact that the mobo outs are front left/right, rear left/right etc... while the receiver is left and right, not front and rear.

I could just get a cable or two, with 3.5mm to RCAs for the connection right?

Sorry, I'm an ultra noob when it comes to all this cabling for audio systems.
edit: incase you were wondering, the receiver is a DENON AVC-2020

SpeedRacer · 6th June 2003, 11:22 PM

Getting the 3.5mm stereo plug that goes to a 2 plug Rca connector will work. This is only analog though, not digital but if that's what the receiver has on it then its the easiest way to go.

Just connect the Front Left and Right plug to it. There will be a sound settings box in your taskbar that should have options for 2, 4 or 6 speaker outputs. If you set it on 2 then all your sound will come out the front left/right plug.

Santa · 6th June 2003, 11:28 PM

Ok fantastic
I will get some cables tomorrow and have a play with them.
Thanks a million SpeedRacer!

6th June 2003, 10:20 PM	#1
Santa Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 540	Possible To Connect A Comp To Amplifier/Receiver? Hi all My dad has a Denon amplifier/receiver and I was wondering if and if possible, how I would go about connecting my comp to it. I'm using an NF7-S mobo. Is it possible to connect the two together, and if so, what cables or parts would I need? Or would I need a soundcard? Or would it just be impossible? Thanks in advance. Santa

6th June 2003, 10:28 PM	#2
richan3185 Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kalgoorlie Posts: 1,758	why not use soundstorm...DD out to the reciever and ur set. Does the NF have the digital out? If it does u just need a length of coax Last edited by richan3185; 6th June 2003 at 10:28 PM.

6th June 2003, 10:28 PM	#3
SpeedRacer Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,972	Youve got a great motherboard there for hooking up to a digital receiver. The NForce2 Platorm gives you the added bonus of encoding a multichannel dolby digital signal that will give you surround sound support in applications other than things like dvd's doing spdif out. This option is only available on nforce motherboards. Soundcards either otherwise only output stereo digital or a direct passthrough (spdif) of a dvd audio soundtrack. Apparently the NF7-S has an optical digital output (I dont have one but read a spec on abits site). So you need to get an optical cable (which are unfortunately not that cheap) and connect it from the appropriate connector on your motherboard to an optical input on the receiver (which I'm assuming you have spare). Viola . . . switch the amp to that input and the output in the nvidia config manager to digital out and it should work! __________________ Frangipani's on cars... Australia says NO!!! Last edited by SpeedRacer; 6th June 2003 at 10:29 PM.

6th June 2003, 10:37 PM	#4
Santa Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 540	heheh ok excellent cept that my dads receiver is like 10+ yrs old. Apparently, it was like the best when he got it. He took the manual to Strathfield a few days ago to get a sub and two more speakers. The receiver only has analogue inputs. So does this mean that it is not possible? The nf7s has an optical out, for those minidiscs etc.. The picture you see at the abit website has that connector with something sticking out of it? But my mobo doesnt have it? I think its been pushed in or something?? I'l edit this post once I'v got the url for the pic. edit: http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/large.php?model=6. Its the black connector thing at the top of the board. Thanks for all the help so far guys. Last edited by Santa; 6th June 2003 at 10:39 PM.

6th June 2003, 10:46 PM	#5
SpeedRacer Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,972	Ok well you didnt specify what model of your receiver so I assumed it was probably a fairly modern Digital decoder. Yeah the digital optical connector is that little black thing at the top of the board. The picture shown as the cover in place, its a little black bit of plastic that plugs into it to prevent dust blocking the optics. Yours may not have the plug there but instead a flap that goes in when you push a plug (or something similar) into it. But it may be a version that doesnt have a digital connection. BTW the digital out is not just for minidisc. Now your amplifier must have an optical input for it to work with the optical output of your motherboard. Maybe it the receiver is a bit older it may only have a Coaxial input on it. Its possible that if the abit board doesnt have a coaxial digital out . . . it has the header pins for you to get an expansion bracket containing one. Many motherboards these days do so look in your manual it should let you know there. Coaxial connections work the same way as the optical. The plug is a standard RCA type plug but you only have one because its digital. I think coaxial is far better than optical because the cables are HEAPS cheaper and there is no audible difference between using the different connection methods. __________________ Frangipani's on cars... Australia says NO!!!

6th June 2003, 10:54 PM	#6
Santa Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 540	Sorry about not mentioning the age of the receiver. So I can get that front panel thing for the abit mobo. What about an audigy or similar soundcard? Would I be able to connect those ordinary stereo 3.5/6.5 (those normal speaker connectors) to a coax adapter cable and then into the receiver? Also, sound cards have a rear right/left, front right/left and centre/sub. Receivers have a left and right connections? Or is it just my dads one because its older?

6th June 2003, 11:06 PM	#7
SpeedRacer Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,972	Your best bet is to check the manual for the motherboard if you have it to see if you can get what should be called an spdif adapter, but you might wanna check the receiver has a digital input before you bother spending money on such a device. The ordinary stereo 3.5mm are not digital connections. They're analog and although they're not bad quality, they're not as good as using digital if you can. Getting another soundcard is not really necessary imho as the nforce sound solution is still quite good compared to a seperate soundcard. Your dad's receiver is probably just a stereo one, not one of the more advanced digital multichannel decoding ones. As a result it probably might only have analog stereo inputs. This is still ok though if its a pretty good receiver hooked up to some nice speakers. __________________ Frangipani's on cars... Australia says NO!!!

6th June 2003, 11:18 PM	#8
Santa Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 540	I'm a bit confused. What is the cheapest way to connect the two, with the mobos 3.5mm outs to the left/rights of the receiver? I have seen those 3.5mm to RCA cables. They would do is this correct? If this is ok, I'm a worried about the fact that the mobo outs are front left/right, rear left/right etc... while the receiver is left and right, not front and rear. I could just get a cable or two, with 3.5mm to RCAs for the connection right? Sorry, I'm an ultra noob when it comes to all this cabling for audio systems. edit: incase you were wondering, the receiver is a DENON AVC-2020 Last edited by Santa; 6th June 2003 at 11:19 PM.

6th June 2003, 11:22 PM	#9
SpeedRacer Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,972	Getting the 3.5mm stereo plug that goes to a 2 plug Rca connector will work. This is only analog though, not digital but if that's what the receiver has on it then its the easiest way to go. Just connect the Front Left and Right plug to it. There will be a sound settings box in your taskbar that should have options for 2, 4 or 6 speaker outputs. If you set it on 2 then all your sound will come out the front left/right plug. __________________ Frangipani's on cars... Australia says NO!!!

6th June 2003, 11:28 PM	#10
Santa Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 540	Ok fantastic I will get some cables tomorrow and have a play with them. Thanks a million SpeedRacer!