improving laptop listening to classical music
Tue, Mar 5 2013, 3:16PM
#2
RE: improving laptop listening to classical music
There seems to be quite an extended discussion of complex digital solutions to the problem of improving sound quality from a laptop. However, a simpler method seems to be to use the HDMI output from the laptop to the corresponding input of the AV amplifier. Since this is a digital signal it would have the same audio quality as any other digital input e.g. from a blu ray player. This would seem to be a convenient solution since there are many devices available that allow HDMI signals to be transmitted wirelessly from a sender to a receiver near the AV system. Is there any problem with this approach?
Wed, Mar 6 2013, 11:55AM
#3
RE: improving laptop listening to classical music
To be honest, I am not sure to have correctly understood. Where does the differences lays between hdmi and usb connections? Are not both simply way to transfer informations? Furthermore, how can an amplifier improve sound quality and not only sound pressure?
Wed, Mar 6 2013, 1:06PM
#4
RE: improving laptop listening to classical music
I assume Dembrey missed the initial point that you only have a laptop and headphones and no amplifier. Using the hdmi option (if you had an appropriate laptop and amplifier) just removes the need to buy an additional USB-device.
Ted
Wed, Mar 6 2013, 1:48PM
#5
RE: improving laptop listening to classical music
I have an headphones amplifier: Behriger micro-amp HA400. I tried to connect the amplifier to the dac. This increases the sound, but the sound seems to me again poor....
Wed, Mar 13 2013, 2:21PM
#6
RE: improving laptop listening to classical music
Behriger is good amp. So the DAC is not good enough. There are USB DACs at moderate prices with good sound. Read threads for reviews and comments. Mine (see signature) is very good.
Sun, Apr 7 2013, 2:44PM
#7
RE: improving laptop listening to classical music
Behringer make some USB audio cards which are not expensive and sound infintely better than the sound chip on the motherboard.
Do not get put off by the low price, Behringer is a quality professional manuacturer of audio gear and have always provided excellent value for money
See: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Behringer-U-CONTROL-UCA202-USB-Audio-Interface-Adapter-/110911000755
I fear the product you bought is unsuitable for headphone listening. It is meant to connect to an amplifier and then to conventional speakers, or to a dedicated headphone amplifier. It is not designed to play into headphones.
AE's suggestions were both designed for headphones (although they also work into amplifiers).
See if you can exchange it, or try with a headphone amp (without a DAC).