[mythtv-users] Integrated Sound vs. Sound Card, suggestions ??

[Steven Adeff]

On 6/6/06, Brian Wood <beww at beww.org> wrote:
> With all the advice I've received I think I am on the right path to
> some speakers and some electronics to drive them.
>
> Just to start out, I hooked the audio output of my motherboard to my
> MacIntosh amps and fed some speakers I borrowed from my brother
> (older Cerwin Vegas)
>
> The problem is that I am getting a lot of hum and garbage coming out
> of the line out (lime green) connector on my motherboard.
>
> Even with all inputs muted and potted down with alsamixer, the noise
> is still unacceptable. I tried the usual re-dressing cables, checking
> grounds etc., to no avail. Unplugging the cable from the computer
> stops all noise and hum, so it does appear to be emanating from there.
>
> The answer is, I suspect, a sound card. Why should integrated audio
> be any better than integrated video ?? At least I do have a vacant
> PCI slot.
>
> So once again I am seeking suggestions, this time for a sound card
> that will drive whatever receiver I wind up getting and give decent
> audio, without buying more card than I really need.
>
> As always, I much appreciate the good advice to be found here.

Get a DD5.1 compat preamp (like a "receiver" minus the amps), and run
SPDIF to it and it to your McIntosh amps. I'd recommend something good
(to go along with your excellent amp), the Parasound AVC1800 or
Parasound Halo P3 can be had for relatively cheap now and have
excellent DAC's. Search Audiogon.com or ebay for used equipment. Or
buy a good receiver with preamp output.


Then buy some speakers worthy of the setup, meatwad may be the best
person on this list to make recomendations as I've not had enough
experience with McIntosh amps to know what character they have and
what speakers will match well.

oh, and don't think of it as a sound system for Myth, thing of it as
adding Myth as a source for your excellent sound system =D

-- 
Steve
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