Auzentech Prelude. A question of DACs and unprocessed audio quality?

[Get em Daddy]

Hi All,

It's been a while!

I am considering the Auzentech Prelude 7.1 for my PC. I want to link my PC to my Yamaha Amp. However, I want all the processing done by the Yamaha amp as it is far more superior and has better DACs etc.

So, my question is, if I want to output raw unprocessed audio (not touched by the soundcard) while retaining as much quality as possible, which connectivity do I use to connect my PC to the Yamaha amp? It must be an analogue cable right? Like a phono jack? If I use Coaxial, it is digital right and so the soundcard will be processing the audio? Will I have better sound quality if I use an analogue cable from the PC to Amp and let the amp do the processing rather than have Coaxial from PC to Amp and have processing both ends?

Thanks all,

H

[dogbert]

you're correct in assuming that the analog conversion should rather be done in your receiver than inside your PC. you are, however, mistaken in thinking that the sound signal on the analog ports is unprocessed - the signal on the analog ports is usually identical to the signal on the digital ports - it's just converted to analog.
if you want your sound to be digitally and hence losslessly transported without any kind of processing, I suggest you take a look at my site - this can be easily achieved with a cheap trust 5250 / 5200 and my drivers.

[CrazyindianZA]

Originally Posted by Get em Daddy

Hi All,

It's been a while!

I am considering the Auzentech Prelude 7.1 for my PC. I want to link my PC to my Yamaha Amp. However, I want all the processing done by the Yamaha amp as it is far more superior and has better DACs etc.

So, my question is, if I want to output raw unprocessed audio (not touched by the soundcard) while retaining as much quality as possible, which connectivity do I use to connect my PC to the Yamaha amp? It must be an analogue cable right? Like a phono jack? If I use Coaxial, it is digital right and so the soundcard will be processing the audio? Will I have better sound quality if I use an analogue cable from the PC to Amp and let the amp do the processing rather than have Coaxial from PC to Amp and have processing both ends?

Thanks all,

H

SUrely using the prelude as a pass through is a bit of an overkill ? A £20 generic card will do just as well if you are sending it via coax?

[meansizzler]

what are you using it for?, if you want HD AUdio then you'd have to go with analogue outputs as it support 7.1 pcm, digital does not, granted you get a quality loss since DAC is happening, but it's the only way to get multichannel PCM audio, unless you get a new motherboard with HDMI and amp with HDMI then it will be all digital..., multichannel analogue out is the only way.., but get a dedicated soundcard like the prelude as it has better DAC's than onboard sound...