Receiver for Computer??

[alexsabree]

I am hooking up my home theater to my computer. So I don't need a receiver/amplifier to decode stuff because my sound card already does that. I would like to have 5.1 or up so that I can expand later on.

Seems like all the receivers I find are either $150 and up or sold out. I don't need any special features. I only need something to drive my small bookshelf speakers.

What do you guys suggest? I've looked at many garage sales I've yet to see a receiver. Also, craigslist is empty because I live in Arkansas, because apparently craigslist is too complicated for us.

 

[Adam]

What speakers are you hooking up to it? Specifically, do you know what the nominal impedance is for the speakers?

 

[alexsabree]

What speakers are you hooking up to it? Specifically, do you know what the nominal impedance is for the speakers?

I don't know yet, but I don't think it matters because they will be normal, budget bookshelf speakers.

I just bought a eD A2-300 Subwoofer, so I plan to buy a 5.1 receiver and two speakers and then expand to surround sound later on.

 

[lsiberian]

I am hooking up my home theater to my computer. So I don't need a receiver/amplifier to decode stuff because my sound card already does that. I would like to have 5.1 or up so that I can expand later on.

Seems like all the receivers I find are either $150 and up or sold out. I don't need any special features. I only need something to drive my small bookshelf speakers.

What do you guys suggest? I've looked at many garage sales I've yet to see a receiver. Also, craigslist is empty because I live in Arkansas, because apparently craigslist is too complicated for us.

I suggest you buy an amplifier. However you will need to up the budget considerably for 5.1

Even old decent 5 channel amps go for around 370.

Before I can make suggestions I'll need to know the sound card your using and what speaker you want to drive.

My general recommendation for all folks is to buy enough Behringer A500s to cover the speakers and then an ep1500 for the subs.

The A500 offers XLR, 1/4", and RCA inputs plus gobs of power. Plus its 4 ohm stable.

Another Option is powered speakers. I prefer the first option since I'm a DIYer

 

[alexsabree]

I suggest you buy an amplifier. However you will need to up the budget considerably for 5.1

Even old decent 5 channel amps go for around 370.

Before I can make suggestions I'll need to know the sound card your using and what speaker you want to drive.

My general recommendation for all folks is to buy enough Behringer A500s to cover the speakers and then an ep1500 for the subs.

The A500 offers XLR, 1/4", and RCA inputs plus gobs of power. Plus its 4 ohm stable.

Another Option is powered speakers. I prefer the first option since I'm a DIYer

See that's what I don't get!!
Why do amplifiers cost more than receivers? Aren't receivers the exact same thing with extra features?

So far I have an eD A2-300 Active Subwoofer.
+ a Creative XFI sound card. Being paired up with some cheap Creative speakers

 

[Adam]

I'm going to disagree about using amps versus a receiver in this case. If someone is looking for a power source that is under $150 for some budget bookshelf speakers, I think that an inexpensive receiver with 5.1 analog inputs is a good way to go. It should provide plenty of power for the OP's small room.

 

[Adam]

Why do amplifiers cost more than receivers? Aren't receivers the exact same thing with extra features?

A couple of reasons come to mind:

1. Most people want an all-in-one solution, so economies of scale come into play. Manufacturers make a lot more receivers than they do amplifiers.
2. Stand-alone amplifiers tend to have better amplication than receivers. Now, this may never be noticeable depending on your speakers and listening habits.

 

[alexsabree]

I'm going to disagree about using amps versus a receiver in this case. If someone is looking for a power source that is under $150 for some budget bookshelf speakers, I think that an inexpensive receiver with 5.1 analog inputs is a good way to go. It should provide plenty of power for the OP's small room.

Is there such thing? All the receivers I come in contact with have analog and digital inputs.

Oh, I just thought that maybe amplifiers just sounded better or something. I guess that makes sense.. supply & demand.

And as far as the speakers I plan to drive: Behringer B2030P $130

 

[Adam]

Is there such thing? All the receivers I come in contact with have analog and digital inputs.

Having both isn't a problem. You just want to make sure that it has the multi-channel analog inputs, because not all receivers have them (especially the lowest-priced ones).

I looked around and didn't find one that I liked for you. Others here have more info about refurbs, and they can generally help people find good deals. The Onkyo TX-SR506 was going for $150 last year, but I haven't seen it that cheap in months. In fact, it's hard to find at all these days because it's been replaced with a more expensive version.

I mention it because I would expect for another good value receiver to come available in a couple of months after the new models come out.

 

[alexsabree]

Having both isn't a problem. You just want to make sure that it has the multi-channel analog inputs, because not all receivers have them (especially the lowest-priced ones).

I looked around and didn't find one that I liked for you. Others here have more info about refurbs, and they can generally help people find good deals. The Onkyo TX-SR506 was going for $150 last year, but I haven't seen it that cheap in months. In fact, it's hard to find at all these days because it's been replaced with a more expensive version.

I mention it because I would expect for another good value receiver to come available in a couple of months after the new models come out.

Yeah I know, I just wanted to save a few unnecessary dollars. I'll keep looking around and see if I can find any better deals.

 

[lsiberian]

I'm going to disagree about using amps versus a receiver in this case. If someone is looking for a power source that is under $150 for some budget bookshelf speakers, I think that an inexpensive receiver with 5.1 analog inputs is a good way to go. It should provide plenty of power for the OP's small room.

Well he said he wanted an Amp. So I gave him my recommendatiosn which is 150 bucks per each amp. for 450 total you could have a 6 channel amp that would smoke any home theater amp at that price. I guess I was thinking he wanted his computer to do the dirty work though. Mixing him up with Jinku is dangerous.

My recommended receiver to every person on a budget is the Marantz 4002.

It's 7.1
HDMI repeating
Good quality.

Yeah it's 260 at accessories4less, but you might as well go for it. IMO. I wish I had gotten it instead of my current receiver. Which I'm very tempted to sell.

 

[lsiberian]

Oh yeah there's a nice 5.1 receiver on our classifieds area going for 90 bucks.

I suggest you look into at least. Most people that sell here are audiophiles that got the upgrade itch. Usually means the product is fairly new and kept very well.

 

[jinjuku]

See that's what I don't get!!
Why do amplifiers cost more than receivers? Aren't receivers the exact same thing with extra features?

So far I have an eD A2-300 Active Subwoofer.
+ a Creative XFI sound card. Being paired up with some cheap Creative speakers

With that card do you have the Mini-jack to RCA cables?

You could get the AudioSource Amp 100 for $70 plus shipping. Each amp is a 50 watts/channel at 8 ohms and 61 wpc at 4 ohms (so it is 4 ohm stable).

Later on when funds become available you could get a beefier amp and simply regulate the AudioSource to surround duty.

 

[lsiberian]

With that card do you have the Mini-jack to RCA cables?

You could get the AudioSource Amp 100 for $70 plus shipping. Each amp is a 50 watts/channel at 8 ohms and 61 wpc at 4 ohms (so it is 4 ohm stable).

Later on when funds become available you could get a beefier amp and simply regulate the AudioSource to surround duty.

That's certainly an option. But if you can get the A500s do it. You won't regret having multiple input options. Plus they can be used down the line with a DCX 2496.

 

[alexsabree]

With that card do you have the Mini-jack to RCA cables?

You could get the AudioSource Amp 100 for $70 plus shipping. Each amp is a 50 watts/channel at 8 ohms and 61 wpc at 4 ohms (so it is 4 ohm stable).

Later on when funds become available you could get a beefier amp and simply regulate the AudioSource to surround duty.

Yeah I think I'll be doing this one, because right now I don't have very much money left over after buying this subwoofer. I'll upgrade to better speakers + amp later on.

 

[jinjuku]

Yeah I think I'll be doing this one, because right now I don't have very much money left over after buying this subwoofer. I'll upgrade to better speakers + amp later on.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the AMP 100...

 

[jinjuku]

Yeah I think I'll be doing this one, because right now I don't have very much money left over after buying this subwoofer. I'll upgrade to better speakers + amp later on.

You need to make sure that you read the user guide on the AMP 100 and understand it's connection limitations.

You will need to hook up to input2 (NOT input 1) and set the Auto on/off to manual. This way you will have no problems with the amp. This configuration is it's most basic and easiest to use setting.

There is a bag full of idiots at Amazon that rated this AMP with a 1 star rating because they are too damned stupid to read the relatively short user guide.

 

[alexsabree]

You need to make sure that you read the user guide on the AMP 100 and understand it's connection limitations.

You will need to hook up to input2 (NOT input 1) and set the Auto on/off to manual. This way you will have no problems with the amp. This configuration is it's most basic and easiest to use setting.

There is a bag full of idiots at Amazon that rated this AMP with a 1 star rating because they are too damned stupid to read the relatively short user guide.

Oh ok, Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[farout]

just hook up your coaxial from dennon receiver to digial plug on pc and work off your receiver for speaker set up etc. i did a long time ago before there were speakers for pcs. my son said it would not work and it works great to this day. up to 7.1 with high end dennon avr-2700 surround av receiver. lots of fun hooking up ***. your pc loves the guts of sound you have given it. farout

 

[jinjuku]

just hook up your coaxial from dennon receiver to digial plug on pc and work off your receiver for speaker set up etc. i did a long time ago before there were speakers for pcs. my son said it would not work and it works great to this day. up to 7.1 with high end dennon avr-2700 surround av receiver. lots of fun hooking up ***. your pc loves the guts of sound you have given it. farout

The OP (original post/original poster) said he doesn't need a receiver because his sound card on the computer does all the decoding.

I think he is going with the AudioSource AMP 100 which is ~$70 for two channels of audio. So as funds permit he can add additional amps and expand to a 5.1 setup. For ~$210 he can have enough Amps for a 5.1 setup.

Nice thing about the AudioSource amp is that it will be a nicer amp section than the entry and mid level receivers he is looking at.

Welcome to AH!