Raptor22

Hi guys, I'm planning something kinda crazy here!

Okay... basically I got nothing but a PC with a good sound card (X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro PCI-e) and I'm trying to get rid of my current computer system for a more expensive more powerful home theater!

I noticed on my sound card it has the S/PDIF in and out... believe they are for connecting to receivers? So in this case, I can literally hook my PC to any home theater systems NOT designed for computers right? I really do hope that is the case.

So I got some okay hardware currently... a Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 Ultra system with FOUR ProMedia SWS addon subs. I find this a waste of space... and I plan on getting something a lot more powerful that takes up less space. Currently looking at the Klipsch Synergy Sub 12 subwoofer. Read countless superior reviews on it and even heard one myself at my local Best Buy. I couldn't resist!

So if I wanted to hook something like that to my PC, I'd need to have a receiver/amp right? Or however you wanna call them. Since the Synergy Sub 12 is self powered, is connecting speakers directly to it possible? Would save a lot more space and $$ than getting a receiver right?

So let's say if receiver is required... any suggestions of what brand/model to get that's not a wallet breaker but yet still very good? Speaker-wise, I'm looking at a few Klipsch bookshelf/surround speakers and they all seem excellent... except for the fact I'd need to do some saving up to get those (Yeah, I know... I'm a big Klipsch fan lol). Would love to hear experiences from Klipsch fans out there who know more about which speakers sound better with which sub/receiver etc.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who believes PC audio is way too amateur these days. In fact, since most our media (music, movies, games, etc) takes place on the PC and not the living room TV, it has every right to have better sound, don't ya think?

Thanks for your time and hope to get some ideas! Quite a noob myself when it comes to home theater stuff, never messed with it before.

Raptor22

Pauldo

I waited awhile to see if anyone else would answer but I haven't seen too many people answer question like this in the short time that i have been here and I thought you should atleast get some sort of reply. Maybe during the week. I myself don't have any first hand experience with home theater receivers but I have done quite a bit of reading over the last 7 years that I have been dabbling with HTPC's. At first I didn't have the money for it but now I am just waiting for the kids to get past the, "OOOO. Let's see what happens if I stick yogurt into this...", stage.

Yes that is exactly the case. Actually, the big thing now is HDMI. May not play a role with your PC, unless you want to use that as you DVD player (Blu-Ray?).
A receiver is required but what is wallet breaker material to you? $300. $1,000. I've seen guys say that entry level is between $600 and $1,000. Kinda why I haven't been able to pull the trigger yet.

I've seen Onkyo, Denon and Harmon Kardon recommended as good entry level receivers. I have also seen Yamaha and Marantz cited as good buys. As for models it really comes down to what features you want. Do you need the HDMI inputs? Do you need HD codec support (for playing Blu-ray HD audio, )? Upconversion to 1080P from analog signals?

If you are into reading, take a look at this. Those guys there are true audiophiles so you may need to take a grain of salt with what they are saying but atleast you will get an idea of what to look for. They didn't mention the Denon AVR-589, probably not up to their specs, but I have seen it recommended elsewhere and if you need just the basics you might want to keep it in mind.

Hope I didn't rehash what you already knew and it helps you out.

Pauldo

Raptor22

Thanks for the response Pauldo.

I don't need anything fancy like HDMI and Blu-ray... all I need are good speakers and a receiver for my PC so I can play music, games, and movies on it with home theater quality. I've looked more into it myself and I do realize that receivers are expensive as hell. That's why I'm selling my current hardware and doing some saving up for it.

I still can't believe I'm going for this. Audio has a weird concept behind it, and that is the more and better you listen to, the more you want.

Pauldo

Yeah, that's why I don't listen to good sound systems right now.

Pauldo