How do connect laptop to receiver?

[pupuplader]

I would like to connect my laptop to my receiver. I have read several different ways to do this. Just wanted to know what the best way there was.

1) adapter that will convert 3.5mm mini-jack to an RCA compatible plug in, then use coaxial digital audio cable (~$50)

2) 3.5mm mini-jack to two male RCA plugs (sounds the easiest and cheapest, not sure on the quality though)

3) use creative external sound card (~$50, not including the cables)

4) use a mobile audio interface ($70-100, not including cables)

Any other ideas, which I am sure there are plenty, let me know? I am leaning towards option 2 because easy and cheap sounds good right now.

 

[MDS]

Option 1 will not work.
Option 2 is the normal way and will give you an analog audio connection to the receiver.

Options 3 and 4 could work but there are many configurations depending on which external sound card you use and in most cases will be the same as Option 2 - except that the card/external audio adapter may have onboard DACS that could convert the analog to digital.

Go to Radio Shack or the like and buy a cable with a 3.5mm (1/8") STEREO mini plug on one end and 2 RCA plugs on the other end and you are all set.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I'm just going to agree with MDS on this one. The most typical and common way to get the audio out of a PC is by usign a 1/8" stereo mini adapter to RCA male connectors. This cable is inexpensive, and readily available at Radio Shack for not much cash.

If you aren't happy, then you can always look for a digital external audio card which will deliver a higher quality audio, but if you are focussed on quality audio from a PC, then I would think that at that time you may want to go to a PC tower instead of a laptop.

 

[jcPanny]

Laptop connection

My dell laptop includes an adapter that pluged into a PS2 like connection on the laptop and allowes access to compsite video, analog audo (2 RCAs), and digital audio (1 RCA) connections. Check if you laptop includes a similar connection or adapter. Otherwise, analog audio via the headphone jack is an easy and inexpensive option.

 

[kenhoeve]

www.sondigo.com

go wireless my son. the sirocco is worth it's weight in gold.

 

[joebob]

Another way is to use a USB dac. I'm using a Perreaux dac and the results are excellent. I did have to play with the settings in foobar quite a bit and used ASIO4ALL to get the best sound quality. If you want an easier way, get a Squeezebox. Either of these solutions will be quite a bit pricier than a headphone adapter cable. Benchmark, Aqvox and Wavelength are some other dacs I looked into. You can also run your CD/DVD player through most of these dacs if you don't like the native dacs from the player.

 

[cornelius]

The DAC route is a great way to go. I'm running a Lite Audio DAC AM - modified by Pacific Valve - it's pretty cheap! The DAC is fed by my CD player, Airport Express and cable box. Most of my listening is from my laptop to the Airport - excellent sound!