Amps/recievers with Digital inputs

[billc_or]

I would like to use the optical output of my pc sound card to connect to an integrated amp or a reciever to play stereo music in my house. My problem is finding equipment that has optical (toslink or spdif) inputs. It seems that some home theater (5.1, 7.1) receivers have these inputs but I just want a simple two channel stereo system for this purpose. I am picky about sound quality though I don't want to break the bank on it either. I plan to use this to provide music to my backyard and two other rooms in my house.

Does anyone know of brands/models that would support this?

Thanks!
Bill

 

[anamorphic96]

Harman Kardon 3490 should do what your looking for.

329.00 at JR.com

 

[jinjuku]

I would like to use the optical output of my pc sound card to connect to an integrated amp or a reciever to play stereo music in my house. My problem is finding equipment that has optical (toslink or spdif) inputs. It seems that some home theater (5.1, 7.1) receivers have these inputs but I just want a simple two channel stereo system for this purpose. I am picky about sound quality though I don't want to break the bank on it either. I plan to use this to provide music to my backyard and two other rooms in my house.

Does anyone know of brands/models that would support this?

Thanks!
Bill

The problem that you have chosen to tackle is the belief that you are going to find affordable two channel gear that has what has really become associated with surround receivers: TOSLink.

Can you define what "Don't break the bank" means? Are you talking about a two zone unit?

Don't bother yourself with the misnomer of 5.1/7.1. All these types of receivers can do stereo with great sound quality(SQ) just fine. Don't make a problem where one doesn't exist.

 

[chadnliz]

Dont NAD and Outlaw stereo units allow digital in?

 

[Adam]

Dont NAD and Outlaw stereo units allow digital in?

The Outlaw stereo receiver on their website doesn't, and it's $699.

Don't know about NAD.

 

[chadnliz]

Sounds like you just need to find an HT reciever, for as little as $150 on Ebay or Audiogon you should have no problem finding a unit that can even do 2 zones and has everything you need.

 

[anamorphic96]

Well the Harman Kardon 3490 will do everything he wants and drive two sets of speakers. Hopefully he checks this out.

 

[markw]

That H/K does eeem to straddle both the digital and analog worlds.

Well the Harman Kardon 3490 will do everything he wants and drive two sets of speakers. Hopefully he checks this out.

Between the digital input for whatever modern sources one wants to play with and a phono input for the vinyl afficianado (sp?), it does seem to be the answer to a music lovers prayer. Plus, it's got plenty of power for virtually any speaker, or speakers.

 

[jinjuku]

Between the digital input for whatever modern sources one wants to play with and a phono input for the vinyl afficianado (sp?), it does seem to be the answer to a music lovers prayer. Plus, it's got plenty of power for virtually any speaker, or speakers.

I think the speaker output is A/B though. I thought it was either A OR B. With a 2 zone receiver you get some more flexibility.

 

[markw]

I think the speaker output is A/B though. I thought it was either A OR B. With a 2 zone receiver you get some more flexibility.

The speakers are controlled by two separate buttons and the info I could find don't state wether it's either or both speakers. My money is on that's it's both, as long as one respects the speced four ohm minimum.

But, since he mentioned two additional pairs anyway, for the additional speakers (non-A) I'd recommend either one impedance matching switch box or impdance matching volume controls on each speaker/set.

 

[billc_or]

Thank you to all that have replied. It just seemed like a HT reciever was over kill plus I kinda liked my old days with a pre-amp/amp or integrated amp. I currently do have a home theater with a Pioneer rec. with optical inputs but it cannot do multizone.

Thanks again!

 

[gkelly]

I initially set out to find something like this as well, but came to the conclusion that optical output was only used in 5.1/7.1 receivers, so I just ended up getting a 7.1 to which I will add speakers as funds come available. Like someone already said, just because it's 5.1 or 7.1 doesn't mean you can't just hook up a couple speakers in stereo.

 

[fmw]

I think the confusion here is that you think the DAC in an integrated amp would do a superior job to the one in your player. That isn't true. All DAC's convert the same data into the same waveforms. You are trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist.