Computer Decoding vs a Receiver Decoding

[sabarirjpm]

Hi

I would like to know what would be better. Computer Decoding the audio formats and sending it to a receiver just for amplification vs a HDMI out to a receiver and let the receiver do the job..

Asus Xonar ST - PCI Card which can be used for analog audio along for a good HiFi Setup and a Xonar H6 card an extension for 7.1

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Multimedia- ASUS Xonar H6

I am planning to build a HTPC which would serve good for both Audio and Video. If computer decoding via a software would be better/ equivalent, then the point in spending in new age receivers are not required. Any old age amplifier with analog inputs would be enough.

With growing technology, my feeling is that the receivers might be restricted with the decoding capabilities but a good computer is scalable for the future.

Let me know your thoughts on this.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

NB: I don't do home theatre, just music.

In the end, the better DAC will do the better job, whether it is sitting on a PCI card inside your PC, as part of an external audio interface, as a standalone DAC, connected by USB or SPDIF --- or the DAC in your receiver or amplifier, if it has a digital input.

There is no rule, nor any fixed scheme that you can stick to for the future. Today, you might be getting amazing sound out of your soundcard, tomorrow, a new receiver/etc might entirely change that perspective.

Beware of dogma. Experiment, as far as you can afford it and find it fun (I always end up thinking I'd rather just listen to the music) and see what's best.

 

[manoj.p]

You can have the PC do the decoding, there is no difference between a PC decoding vs receiver decoding. The difference is when the DAC is performed, either by sound card or receiver, as rightly pointed out by Thad.

I prefer a receiver - for some of the reasons below.
* A receiver can be used with multiple sources. Sometimes, I just hookup my ipod to the receiver and listen to music. Its easy and I don't need to start the other things at all. This may be useful to some, may not be to others.
* Receiver can map 2/5 channels to 5/7/9/11. It has multiple profiles which can do sound extraction. It works quite well. Some of the profiles like Dolby Prologic II x/z may not be available on the pc sound card at all. You can even let the receiver automatically pickup the profiles based on the source.
* Make sure the software that comes with sound card can do the bass management properly.
* Receivers have built in room corrections. Some people like it, some don't. Sometimes, the error creeps in the way we perform the room correction setup. But if we follow manual properly, it can undo some of the room effects.
* The new receivers also have video scalars built in. But you can do the video processing in the pc too. so, not really a big differentiator.

Offcourse, these are my preferences and to some, it may not be a big necessity. See what fits your needs and go with that solution.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

You can have the PC do the decoding, there is no difference between a PC decoding vs receiver decoding. The difference is when the DAC is performed...

Sorry, I am obviously misunderstanding "decoding," which I took to mean the Digital Analogue Conversion.

As mentioned, I just don't know about HT. I should keep quiet

 

[manoj.p]

Sorry, I am obviously misunderstanding "decoding," which I took to mean the Digital Analogue Conversion.

As mentioned, I just don't know about HT. I should keep quiet

No, you were right. He plans to use sound card and an amp. That means he will have the sound card perform DAC because no amp will accept Multi-channel PCM through HDMI. All I wanted to point out is that the decoding will be same, but the DAC will differ.

Keep it up, your not incorrect at all. :clapping:

 

[spirovious]

As long as sound quality is concerned,better the DAC ,better the sound.
If you need a good HT effect,then AVR can be better option as it has preamp ,special speaker caliberation options & level control.
Secondly you need special decoding for getting lossless audio procesing as PAP can downsample the 96khz sound to 48khz.So I did the trick-
http://www.hifivision.com/home-thea...ng-lossless-hd-audio-5-1analoge-out-htpc.html
Else get xonar HDAV delux card.

For music there is no requirement for special preamp.Analoge output of soundcard can be better one.

 

[spirovious]

Sorry, I am obviously misunderstanding "decoding," which I took to mean the Digital Analogue Conversion.

As mentioned, I just don't know about HT. I should keep quiet

You are partly right as eventhough PC decodes(as LPCM),how can Xonar ST will send it to AVR? It has to do DAC job.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

For stereo output from a PC to an amp, if I needed a[nother] DAC, I'd have bought the wrong sound card

As I just posted on another thread: the idea of a good sound card is that it includes a good DAC.