Help for a newbie

[ocwaveoc]

Hello all,
First posting here.

I have......
-HDTV/DVD combo set running Roku (I use it for Netflix and pandora).
-Audio outs: 1) "Digital Audio Out-Coaxial" (looks like an RCA but instead
of having L and R outputs it only has one....I've never seen this and how
to connect this). 2) Headphone-standard 3.5mm jack.

-Apple Macbook pro (has USB and headphone jack)-I want to listen to iTunes.

I'd like to run my TV and MacbookPro into one set of speakers. I'd like a self powered speaker system without having to buy an amp and all kinds of equipment. I just want a simple system that sounds good. My budge is $500 maximum.

From my limited A/V knowledge what I thought of doing is:
-Audioengine A5+ since it has a minijack input (for Apple Macbookpro-use a Airport express or Audioengine's W1 wireless audio adapter to stream iTunes to the speakers) and 1 set of RCA input from the TV's "Digital Audio Out-Coaxial".

-So my question is: can connect the TV to the Audioengine A5+'s RCA input from the TV's "Digital Audio Out-Coaxial" instead of the headphone jack? I'm assuming that the former will sound better than the headphone jack. Also, even if I wanted to use the headphone output of the TV I can't use it with Audioengine's A5+ since it only has 1 minijack input and it's already being used for my MacbookPro.

I'm very new to the A/V world. So, I'm not familiar with jargons and equipment. If you can include a link to equipments/cables I may need to make above happen I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you!

 

[Adam]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

In short, no - you can't connect the "Digital Audio Out - Coaxial" connection to the RCA connections on the back of the speakers and have it work. Those are two different types of connections.

However, you can easily hook both the MacBook and the TV up to those speakers.

• For either the laptop or TV, you could use the headphone output and the 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cable included with the speakers to connect to the Audio Input 1 on the speakers.
• For the other component, you could use the headphone output and get a 3.5mm-to-RCA cable (like this one shown below, also available at Radio Shack and other places) to connect to the Audio Input 2 on the speakers.

 

[ocwaveoc]

Hi Adam,
Thanks for your input!

I'll do what you suggested. I think that sounds like a good solution. Do you have suggestions for other speakers for what I'm looking to do?

I just looked up some info on the "Digital Audio coaxial" output. So, basically my TV's Digital Audio coaxial output is outputting signal before what a DAC would do before the signal is sent to speakers. Is this correct? So, if I use an amplifier with such input or use a DAC that connects to self powered speakers or use an item like a digital monitor speakers, the TV's Digital Audio coaxial can be used. Do I have it right? Does this necessarily sound better than using the headphone jack as you mentioned?

Thanks!

 

[Adam]

Happy to help when I can!

You've got it right about the digital output, but I'll add one thing. It's not just a digital-to-analog conversion that's needed. You also need something that can decode the audio signal (in the case of your TV, it's almost surely Dolby Digital). Virtually all receivers these days will decode Dolby Digital, but I mention it in case you have a separate DAC that might not.

As for whether that would be better than the headphone output, that depends on which is better: the DAC in the TV or the DAC in whatever you connect that digital output to. Odds are that it would be better, though, if you were to get a middle-of-the-road receiver.

I don't have any real suggestions on speakers, but there are a number of threads here (even recent ones) where that's discussed. I'd say look around a bit and you might find some great ideas. If it were me, though, I'd probably go with a ~$300 receiver (like the Pioneer VSX-1021) and get a couple of bookshelf speakers (I hear that the Infinity Primus line is a real good value and would keep your total under $500). Hmmm, I guess that I did have a suggestion.

 

[ocwaveoc]

Haha...the more and more I get into the A/V world the more complex it gets! I think this Pioneer might just be what I need since it can accept the coaxial output from my TV (it's not Dolby by the say...I have one of the first HDTV when they first came out and they didn't all have a digital tuner built in....I have one without one.....so had to buy an external one which is working out great....I just watch free over the air HDTV/local channels).

I did a lot of reading on this Pioneer and other receivers like it such as Onkyo TX-NR609 and Denon AVR-1912.
I just want to be able to stream Rhapsody, Pandora, my iTunes from my mac, play Netflix from my roku.

Do you know if this Pioneer can wirelessly receive Rhapsody audio in addition to iTunes....all from a computer (mac)? I can use my Roku that feeds into the TV to listen to Pandora. So, Pandora can be managed with this Pioneer. But, with all the reading I've been doing I discovered Rhapsody streaming music. I think it's fantastic! I've read the review and specs on this Pioneer but I don't understand some of the jargons for me to understand.

Thank you!

 

[Adam]

Hi. That's a good question about Rhapsody. I don't see it mentioned in the manual.

Does anyone else here know? Thanks.

 

[ocwaveoc]

OK, I just ordered a Pioneer VSX 1021-K. Thanks for your help Adam! If I want to connect my macbook Pro (has USB and 3.5mm for audio) directly to the Pioneer I would use the 3.5mm-RCA cable, right?

 

[Adam]

Excellent! I think that you'll like that receiver.

Does your MB Pro have a digital audio output? The newer ones have a combination analog/digital audio output in their headphone jack (the 3.5mm you mentioned). If it's got that, I'd use an optical cable and connect to an optical digital audio input on the 1021. I do that exact thing between my 2006 MacBook and my Pioneer.

To connect it, you'll need one of the ends of the optical cable to have a mini-Toslink connector to fit into the MB Pro. You can either get an adapter like this one or a cable with it built in like this one (they are sold at several stores).

Mini Toslink Adapter (for a normal optical cable)

Mini-Toslink to Toslink Cable

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Imo Adam post a slightly confusing, but mostly correct

a) getting a a/v receiver is a right choice and Pioneer VSX 1021-K is a good option - you won't be disappointed
b)
To connect Roku to Pioneer use this cable:
For only $1.48 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 10ft Coaxial Audio/Video RCA Cable M/M RG59U 75ohm (for S/PDIF, Digital Coax, Subwoofer & Composite Video) | High Quality Digital Audio Cables
To connect MacBook Pro use above mentioned Mini-Toslink to toslinks
For only $2.43 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 12ft Toslink to Mini M/M 5.0mm OD Molded Cable | Toslink to Mini Plug

To connect Pioneer AVR to TV this cable:
For only $4.26 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 10ft 28AWG High Speed HDMI® Cable w/Ferrite Cores - Black | 28AWG HDMI High Speed Certified Male to Male Cables

I put all cables at 10ft, but you are welcome to adjust it as needed


These is one of most recommended budget bookshelf speakers, currently on sale
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_108P163BK/Infinity-Primus-P163.html?search=p163&skipvs=T

or towers:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_108P363BK/Infinity-Primus-P363.html?search=p363&skipvs=T

 

[Adam]

Imo Adam post a slightly confusing, but mostly correct

Sorry for any confusion. Which parts were incorrect? Thanks.

 

[ocwaveoc]

My MB pro has:

S/PDIF Optical Digital Audio Output:

Connection: Combination Output

I believe it is the connection you are referring to. Wow, that makes it a lot simpler and it's a fantastic idea! I watched the video in the link you provided. Now I have audio outputs from MB pro directly going into the Pioneer's Toslink in addition to my TV's coaxial audio output that can go into the Pioneer.

Hmm...I thought of another issue.
My TV only has 1 HDMI input. So, I can't simultaneously have my Roku and external HD tuner connected to my TV. Would I use a device called HDMI switch? Or, do I just go from my external digital tuner's HDMI output/Roku's HDMI output into the Pioneer's HDMI inputs and run Pioneer's HDMI output into the my TV's HDMI input? I would think the latter from some of the reading I've been doing. Not 100% sure.

Wow, this world of a/v is totally complicated! Can't we just have one giant cable IN and one giant cable OUT from each device and be done with it? hahaha...

 

[Adam]

Sweet - I'm glad that your MB has that optical output. That will sound better than an analog headphone jack.

Or, do I just go from my external digital tuner's HDMI output/Roku's HDMI output into the Pioneer's HDMI inputs and run Pioneer's HDMI output into the my TV's HDMI input? I would think the latter from some of the reading I've been doing.

Yep, you're correct! That's one of the benefits of an A/V receiver - it let's you use it as a hub and route a number of things through it. In my system, I have my PS3, blu-ray player, MB Air (different than the 2006 MB that I mentioned earlier), and DVD/SACD player all connected to my Pioneer with HDMI, and then I have one HDMI cable running from the Pioneer to my TV. Very simple once you learn the rules...but it does take some learning.