Recent Observation on PC-to-Theater Audio

[The Numenorian]

I'm sure this has been noticed before, and it may even be documented here at AH, but I just wanted to get some words on this topic.

I have a media center pc that I've hooked up to my A/V receiver via a fiber optic cable and an external decoder matched with the sound card. Until recently, I had the sound card's volume cranked and the amplifier turned down fairly low. Whenever I turned up the amp, it sounded like crap! the bass was ultra muddy, and the treble was sharp and staticy. Then, I decided to invert the setup- I turned the PC volume down to 1/3 of its mas, and turned up the amp. WOAH! Now, everything sounds almost as good as my DVD/CD player...clean, crisp, and the way it was meant to be.

Now, I wonder, is there an optimum ratio for PC-to-amp voume controls? It seems that the more I turn down the PC, the better the sound gets...but then I have to crank up the receiver to compensate for the lost volume. Any thoughts?

 

[Hi Ho]

I'd say it's analogous to setting the gain/trim levels on a soundboard. There is a fine balance that can be tricky to find at times. When I connect my MP3 player to my receiver, I turn the volume up all the way and it sounds excellent. However, when I connect it to the wired FM modulator in my car I have to turn the player down a bit to keep it from distorting.

I also have my PC digitally connected to my receiver via 50 feet of RG-6 cable I leave the PC up all the way and it sounds great.