What cable connection from an integrated soundcard on a computer motherboard?

[CrVMo]

Hi.
I have a computer motherboard with an integrated sound card.
What is the cable connection needed to lead from the sound card to an amplifier?
Many thanks,
CrVMo

 

[lovinthehd]

Hard to know from that description. What exactly are you connecting to in the way of an "amp"? Make and model would be nice. Or at least intended connection type(s) available from your soundcard. Do you really want to use the soundcard or just bypass it if your "amp" has a dac?

 

[Am_P]

If your motherboard or sound card has an optical out, you could run that into an optical input on the amp (if your amp has one, aka it has a built in DAC or you have some other external dac). If you don't, you could run a stereo to rca cable to an analog input on your amp. In the latter case, you are relying on a "not so great" DAC in your soundcard possibly.

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-3-5mm-2-Male-Adapter-Stereo/dp/B01D5H8KO2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=stereo+to+rca&qid=1639338004&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzVEhETU5COVo0QkNLJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDQ3MjAxMTUwTFY2VkxWOVZBUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjk2MDIzMjhWSDQ2MDVMM1NTVSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

[BMXTRIX]

I think @Am_P gave you solid information and a useful link for the proper cable, but it is also very important to know what equipment you are using along the way, because it could make a difference.

The most basic connection is that analog output on your PC. Typically it is a 'green' connection on the computer. But, depending on your computer's motherboard, you may have digital audio outputs available to you (as mentioned).

Here is a quick and basic article that covers some of the basics, with photos, that seems decent.

As stated, it is ALWAYS best practice when asking a question, to actually include the make and model of audio gear in use. For your PC, take a photo with your phone, then post the connections on the back of your computer to the forum so we can see what it is you are actually working with. You will always get more precise answers.

PC Support | Velocity Micro

Velocity Micro is the premier provider of gaming and custom pcs in North America. Velocity Micro meets the specific needs of consumers and businesses with an extensive range of custom-designed, custom-built, award-winning gaming systems.

www.velocitymicro.com

 

[CrVMo]

Thanks for all comments. Will post reply soon
CrVMo

 

[CrVMo]

I am proposing to use a Marantz PM6007 amplifier (speakers not chosen yet).
Also, see the connections from the back of my PC.
Thanks.

 

[NINaudio]

I am proposing to use a Marantz PM6007 amplifier (speakers not chosen yet).
Also, see the connections from the back of my PC.
Thanks.

Use the optical output (toslink cable) in the bottom left of that picture.

 

[CrVMo]

What would be a good quality toslink cable for me to use?

 

[CrVMo]

What speaker pairs would well suit the Marantz PM6007 amplifier?

 

[its phillip]

What would be a good quality toslink cable for me to use?

Monoprice Premium S/PDIF (Toslink) Digital Optical Audio Cable, 6ft - Monoprice.com

Experience superb sonic clarity and accurate musical reproduction with this Premium S/PDIF (Toslink®) Digital Optical Audio Cable from Monoprice!The Sony®/Philips® Dig

www.monoprice.com

What speaker pairs would well suit the Marantz PM6007 amplifier?

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0843N2GZV/

Polk Audio Reserve R100 (Midnight Black)

Bookshelf speakers

www.crutchfield.com

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/wharfedale-diamond-12-1-bookshelf-speakers-pair-walnut-pearl/6450715.p?skuId=6450715

Many as options of course.

 

[Kvn_Walker]

What would be a good quality toslink cable for me to use?

Amazon Basics, if you have an Amazon account.

Also, you MIGHT have to enable Digital Audio Output in your BIOS or in Windows itself, to get that to work. Most PC's default to the analog output, but I don't know if they switch automatically when digital is connected.

Amazon.com: Amazon Basics Digital Optical Audio Toslink Cable for Sound Bar, TV - 6 Feet (1.8 Meters) : Electronics

 

[Eppie]

What speaker pairs would well suit the Marantz PM6007 amplifier?

That's too broad of a question. Best speaker would be the $8,000 Perlisten bookshelves, but I somehow doubt that you're looking to spend 8 grand. What's your max budget and where are you going to place them? Floorstanding speakers, bookshelves on stands, or on your computer desktop for near-field listening? You'll get different recommendations for each.

 

[panteragstk]

Amazon Basics, if you have an Amazon account.

Also, you MIGHT have to enable Digital Audio Output in your BIOS or in Windows itself, to get that to work. Most PC's default to the analog output, but I don't know if they switch automatically when digital is connected.

Amazon.com: Amazon Basics Digital Optical Audio Toslink Cable for Sound Bar, TV - 6 Feet (1.8 Meters) : Electronics

Newer motherboards should be able to tell when something is plugged in. It should auto switch to the toslink output when it's plugged in. If not, it's really easy to switch. No BIOS changes needed, assuming on-board audio isn't disabled.

 

[CrVMo]

I have a pair of RCA cables. Can these be used to connect the speakers - with appropriate cable converters - or do I have to use speaker wire?

 

[NINaudio]

you will need speaker wire unless you have powered speakers, the RCA outputs will not be amplified.

 

[CrVMo]

Can you recommend good quality speaker wire please?

 

[lovinthehd]

Try this for all kinds of info on speaker wire http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

Monoprice is a good source, Amazon, your local home improvement store or even fancier fromBlujeanscables.com

 

[Eppie]

I have a pair of RCA cables. Can these be used to connect the speakers - with appropriate cable converters - or do I have to use speaker wire?

You can use a 1/8" to RCA adapter cable, but as mentioned above, the signal quality on the computer speaker connections is generally not very good quality. The Marantz PM6007 has two tos-link (optical) inputs so you can go digital from your PC to the amp. Any tos-link cable of the proper length will do, but keep the length as short as needed. If you're in America, most BestBuys or computer stores will carry cables but they may be cheaper from Monoprice or Amazon.

You'll need speaker wire from the amp to the speakers and 14 gauge copper lamp cord from the hardware store will work just as well as fancy cables. Monoprice and Amazon sell spools of speaker wire at 25 or 30 foot lengths. If you want nice looking cables, take a look at BlueJean Cables. Well made without being crazy expensive.

And on a final note, if the speakers are going to sit on your desktop or close by, you can also consider powered speakers. Kali and PreSonus make some great powered speakers and you won't need space for an amplifier. You need to closely look at connection options though. Some of these do not have digital inputs and require a line level signal. The computer speaker outputs will be too noisy. You would want an external DAC that takes either USB audio out or the tos-link out and converts it to an analogue signal that can feed the powered speakers. If the speakers will be on your desk, you want as clean and noise free a signal as possible, as any hiss or background noise will be audible when sitting that close to them.

 

[panteragstk]

I'm not sure why, but nobody has suggested simply using HDMI out from the video card or motherboard. That's the easiest connection to use.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'm not sure why, but nobody has suggested simply using HDMI out from the video card or motherboard. That's the easiest connection to use.

Does he have one? Not all computers do.....