Best way to connect Studio Monitors to PC

[Transmaniacon]

Hey guys,

I am looking to upgrade my PC speakers from my Logitech Z-2300 to some active studio monitors.

I have read that when using a line-out connection on the sound card, you can pick up interference, and will not be able to take advantage of high quality sources.

My motherboard has digital coaxial and digital optical outputs, so ideally I would like to use those, and ultimately play lossless music.

Most nearfield monitors only have RCA connections, and from what I have read, the common trend is to just buy a RCA to 3.5mm stereo jack and call it a day.

Is there a way I can utilize my digital coaxial output on my motherboard, and connect it to the RCA jacks on the studio monitors?
Would I need a digital-to-analog converter between the two for that to work?
What kind of quality difference does a DAC create should I need to go that route?
Will using an RCA connection provide less interference than a stereo jack; if I am going to gain no quality benefits with RCA, would it still be preferred over the stereo jack?

Thanks for any and all input

 

[JerryLove]

The only problem with using your soundcard as an analog source is that RF interference from within the case *can* cause some noise on the preamp. Also, the THD on the preamp is generally slightly higher than on a dedicated unit.

I honestly don't think you will be able to hear the difference. (* There can be some issues with old + cheap sound solutions, onboard or not. They are the exception more than the rule, but can be solved with an inexpensive sound card (we can suggest some I'm sure) that will also lower your CPU load when playing music)

Go to monoprice and buy a 3/8" to RCA adapter and use your powered speakers.

If you would still like to have your computer re-encode for digial audio, use the optical outs, then have an external decoding and preamp to analog: the cheapest/easiest way is to buy a used AVR. That's what I have (mostly because I have passive speakers).

 

[Transmaniacon]

For the price range I am in, <$200/pair, would I get a better passive or active studio monitor? Obviously I couldn't spend as much on the passive ones because I would need a receiver too, but I am just trying to see if going with something in the price range will make a noticeable improvement over my Logitech Z-2300.

I did come across a Pioneer VSX-D811S on CL for $100, which I thought was a pretty good deal.

 

[MidnightSensi]

Look into a M-Audio breakout box. They work well.

Also, most studio monitors have XLR connections, not RCA. There are some budget monitors that have RCA, but, any professional studio monitor has XLR connections (balanced for a low noise-floor while mixing).

 

[JerryLove]

Get this:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHB2030P

Add something like this (but for your area): http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/ele/1487877045.html

And then this (you might do better at WalMart to avoid shipping: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021804&p_id=5598&seq=1&format=2

I came in at $230. To get below $200, perhaps hunt ebay for cheaper 2030p or craigslist for a cheaper receiver.

 

[lsiberian]

To answer the thread name. A mixer is the best way to connect your pc to studio monitors. Usually a small mixer is pretty inexpensive.

For 200 dollars you better stick to the Behringer 2030p's pair them with an audiosource amp and you got a nice little nearfield setup.