Verbindung PC und Stereoanlage specifications

Category : Lexicon

Usually you have the possibility to connect the PC and the stereo system to each other analog or digital

The starting point on the computer is the sound card, whereby there are two variants:

The internal sound card is located either directly on the mainboard (on-board) or as a plug-in card in the PC. In both cases, the ports are usually located on the back of the PC, often they are also redirected to the front. An external sound card is connected to the computer using USB (or a similar interface), the connectors are located on the case of the sound card.

The analog outputs of the sound card are usually in the form of a 3.5 mm jack jack, the number depends on whether it is a stereo or multichannel sound card. On practically all newer computers, the connections are marked uniformly in color: (see picture)

The analog connections are to be preferred for operation with computer games, since sound cards without Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect function can only output the game sound in stereo via the digital connection.

If you want to connect your PC to a normal stereo amplifier, you therefore need the green output. The other connections are only needed if you have a corresponding multi-channel receiver or amplifier.

With a few exceptions, the analog (stereo) inputs on newer amplifiers are red/white RCA jacks. Usually, an AUX (or reserve) input is used to connect a PC, if this is not available, another input (e.g. CD, tape In, tuner, etc.) can also be used without any problems. Only phono inputs are not suitable.

A/V receivers and amplifiers usually have a multi-channel input in the form of RCA jacks, which can be used to connect multi-channel sound cards.

Older amplifiers and receivers may have connections in the form of round DIN sockets (often referred to as band, aux and reserve), which can also be used.

Which cables you need depends on the existing connections and the desired transmission:

Stereo, RCA inputs on the amplifier/receiver (standard case):

Multichannel, RCA inputs on the amplifier/receiver:

Stereo, DIN connections on the amplifier/receiver:

The most common problem that occurs when connecting a computer and a stereo system , is a hum, triggered by a so-called hum loop. This is a grounding problem that occurs, for example, when the PC and amplifier are connected to different sockets(strips). If it is not possible to connect the devices to the same strip, a disconnecting transformer is required, which is used between the computer and the system.

If one of the devices has an antenna or cable connection (e.g. a computer with a TV card), this can also be the cause of a hum loop. Here you need a sheath current filter (important: with galvanic isolation), which is used between the device and the antenna cable.

Examples of sources of supply:

Digital outputs are usually optical (TOSLINK connection, less often also optical jack) or coaxial (RCA jack) in S/P-DIF format and are marked in orange.

The sound card only transmits digital signals here, so an external D/A converter is still needed, e.g. in an A/V receiver or amplifier. Some CD players also have digital inputs that use the player's D / A converter and transmit the signal analogously to the amplifier, as well as external D / A converters in their own housing.

By means of an optical connection, a possibly occurring hum loop can be reliably avoided.

As a rule, the D / A converters, especially high-quality A / V amplifiers, are qualitatively better than the simple sound cards as they are integrated on the mainboard, for example, on most PCs. Therefore, preference should be given to digital transmission.

Sound cards with Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect can also digitally output the sound of computer games with 5.1 surround sound. Otherwise, additional analog connections must be established for games.

A/V receivers and amplifiers usually have several digital inputs that can be connected both optically and coaxially.

If you want to establish an optical connection, you need an optical fiber with TOSLINK connectors (or TOSLINK and optical jack with the corresponding output on the sound card). The coaxial connection is made with the help of a coaxial cable (monocinch).

With the help of an adapter, the signal can also be converted between optical and coaxial if necessary.