INTERACT FORUM

Devices => Sound Cards, DAC's, Receivers, Speakers, and Headphones => Topic started by: Al ex on March 07, 2014, 04:24:18 pm

Title: Connnect HTPC to analog receiver Harman Kardon
Post by: Al ex on March 07, 2014, 04:24:18 pm
I want to connect audio of my HTPC with my analog receiver (Harman Kardon HK 3270).

Choices I have on my HTPC:

On my analog receiver:

I am not sure, if I shall use the USB, or SPDIF on my HTPC, what do you think, will be better? Or no matter?

Thx for feedback
Title: Re: Connnect HTPC to analog receiver Harman Kardon
Post by: astromo on March 07, 2014, 05:22:13 pm
Based on this:
http://www.harmankardon.com/resources/Brands/harmankardon/Products/ProductRelatedDocuments/en-US/OwnersManual/HK3270%20om.pdf (http://www.harmankardon.com/resources/Brands/harmankardon/Products/ProductRelatedDocuments/en-US/OwnersManual/HK3270%20om.pdf)
Looks like you're dealing with analogue RCA single ended unbalanced inputs. So, you've cut down your options straight away.

I would have thought that the market is awash with cheap, quality USB DACs with RCA SE outputs. These questions come up here with some regularity. Here's a post I remember reading:
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=84213.0 (http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=84213.0)
There's plenty of choice from what's offered up there.
Title: Re: Connnect HTPC to analog receiver Harman Kardon
Post by: Al ex on March 07, 2014, 05:38:41 pm
Yup, absolutely right astromo - and found about this in other posts, after I have written my post - a classic ;) Will check other recommendations.
Still wondering, if USB or SPDIF makes a difference?
Title: Re: Connnect HTPC to analog receiver Harman Kardon
Post by: csimon on March 08, 2014, 03:44:39 am
Quote from: Al ex on March 07, 2014, 05:38:41 pm
Still wondering, if USB or SPDIF makes a difference?

I would say not, except that SPDIF is limited to compressed audio for multichannel and possibly sampling rates, but for normal stereo you are unlikely to hit those limits. I don't know if there any limitations with USB.  The biggest quality factor is likely to be in the quality of the analogue outputs of the DAC you choose.

Note that DD5.1 is already a compressed format and I don't think anyone would argue with the sound quality of that, so the compression may not be a problem!
Title: Re:
Post by: Al ex on March 09, 2014, 04:50:49 pm
I am trying now the SPDIF to Cinch-DAC, 20EUR, let's see what this expitement brings. It's for stereo purposes only, no 5.1 monitors or so. On Amazon, the ratings were quite solid. And upgrading I can do still later on...
Thx.