PDA

View Full Version : Htpc audio


eriknugent
May 12, 2009, 06:47 AM
Hi everyone I'm trying to see if an audio card exists that works like my receiver does now. I want to connect my six speakers and sub woofer directly to my computer. If someone can help I will appreciate it thanks.

Scleros
May 13, 2009, 12:10 PM
I've never seen such a gizmo, and I think you're unlikely to find one as the computer's bus cannot supply the power needed to drive standard unamplified speakers. A receiver is basically a big amplifier with a tuner and other niceties. The options are getting a discrete amp for your existing speakers, powered amplified speakers, or keeping your existing receiver in the mix.

Another possibility is finding a complete HTPC vendor that incorporates a built-in amp. Alienware used to have such a beast with their Hangar product, but their website doesn't show it anymore.

You could also incorporate an amp yourself from components (Power Amplifier Kit (http://diyaudioprojects.com/Chip/AMP6-DIY-T-Amp-Kit/)), packaged and shielded to fit in a PC chassis, or specialized cards (Stereo 20W Digital Audio Amplifier Card (http://www.datasheetcatalog.org/datasheet/Tripath/mXyzwruu.pdf)).