What's wrong?

[masak_aer]

So i bought the external harddrive (Western Digital, MyBook Premium Ed.) and the X-Fi soundcard in an attempt to load my CD's to the HD and play it from my computer. I connect my receiver to the soundcard via the analog output from the soundcard. However, the sound produced from the harddrive isn't as clear and only about 50% of what i expect. What have gone wrong in my setup?
I tried to tune it a bit by tweaking the EQ from the X-Fi software and it helped but only a small portion of it. It still sounds muddy and unclear. Anything else i should attempt?
By the way, I rip my cd's to wav files and i don't use the USB 2.0 but i don't think that;s the case. Any help would be appreciated...

 

[Sheep]

Is your master volume, and any other volume on the laptop at maximum? Generally, the output sounded really bad when its not maxed out coming from the computer.

SheepStar

 

[masak_aer]

It's not maxed out, probably to about 75%.

 

[Sheep]

It's not maxed out, probably to about 75%.

Try maxing them out. Use the receiver to control the Volume.

SheepStar

 

[masak_aer]

I will try just that...Anything else i need to pay attention to? The EQ from the computer may be?

 

[Sheep]

I will try just that...Anything else i need to pay attention to? The EQ from the computer may be?

I don't know. I am not familir with that sound card, or any sound cards for that matter (Use Nfore 2 Soundstorm onboard).

I've never liked the sound from my computer, and EQ it a bit, but I don't think it was ever that bad.

SheepStar

 

[masak_aer]

I guess my best solution is to buy the Squeezebox? That will be some time..

 

[10010011]

I don't know what software the xFi comes with but it shold heve the Creative Mixer or something like that.

Make sure no "effects" (like 3d-sound) are turned on and the speaker settings are correct

 

[masak_aer]

I don't know what software the xFi comes with but it shold heve the Creative Mixer or something like that.

Make sure no "effects" (like 3d-sound) are turned on and the speaker settings are correct

Good advice. It doesnt come with the creative mixer to control the 3D sound, but it comes with the THX setup software. I de-select the 3D sound effect, no preset EQ and EQ are put all to default (mid). Now it sound much much better.
Regarding USB port, does it matter if mine is 1.1? The track should be buffered, right? So, it shouldn't affect sound quality or delivery? Correct me if i am wrong...