Need help deciding between two audio solutions.

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Need help deciding between two audio solutions.

AshTheMaori

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#130686 24-Sep-2013 10:36

Hi guys,

First post here on Geekzone so try not to be too harsh :)

I plan on getting a PS4 however I have never used optical audio and have no hardware that is capable of doing so either. I've thought up of a couple of solutions but I would like to hear some advice on which way to go as I have no idea which solution will provide better quality, less audio delay and just be more convienient all-round.

Currently I have the Logitech Z506 speaker setup with the two rear speakers pretty much not being used (but I still love the speakers regardless) and I plan to soon upgrade to the Logitech Z623 which unfortunately does not have an optical input.

My first solution is to use the optical audio out from the PS4 and use a DAC (found a decent looking one on ComputerLounge for $39) and then RCA to the speakers. I do see having to power the DAC as being a bit of an annoyance but I'm sure I'd just get used to it.

My other solution is to use the HDMI into my 27 inch AOC monitor which has a 3.5mm audio out jack and then connecting the speakers to the monitor via 3.5mm cable. I do see that there may possibly be a decrease in quality and possibly a very small delay in audio with the sound having to pass through the monitor.

Any insight to which solution would be better would be appreciated or an entirely new solution (apart from buying a better and more expensive speaker setup, it is only for in my room).

Cheers,

Ash

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#901931 24-Sep-2013 14:30

Don't waste your money on new surround sound Logitech's if you don't have the gear that is going to take advantage of the source audio.
A DAC will only output stereo sound, meaning the unit will need to be told to simulate surround... or, in other words, guess where to send the sound.
You're still better suited to an HDMI capable surround sound receiver + speaker pack.

stevenz

2802 posts

Uber Geek

#901955 24-Sep-2013 15:11

A FiiO D03K optical to analog converter and plug it into your existing speakers (may need an RCA to 3.5mm cable), powering it from the USB port on the PS4.

This is pretty much what I do with my PS3 although I'm running the output from the FiiO into the AUX input of a Topping TP32 to power a pair of small bookshelf speakers. The added bonus is I can plug headphones into the TP32 and use those instead of the speakers if need be.

@KnightNZ

stevenz

2802 posts

Uber Geek

#901957 24-Sep-2013 15:13

@KnightNZ

BTR

1527 posts

Uber Geek

#901980 24-Sep-2013 16:05

Sounds like either of your options are going to give you average sound i.e. usable. The more devices you link through the worse your sound quality will be.

Why not save up and get a cheap home theatre system from Noel Leeming or Harvey Norman. Those Logitech systems are designed more for computer gaming with the speakers being in close proximity.

stevenz

2802 posts

Uber Geek

#902404 25-Sep-2013 12:49

Optical --> DAC --> Amplifier. This is the same chain that that you'd be using plugging straight into an HDMI\TOSLink compatible receiver, just with an external component, so no reason the quality should be "average", especially given that the DAC in the Fiio is likely to be of equal or better quality than that in most low-mid range consumer systems.

Also, using optical audio instead of HDMI will result in less latency, although that's often not a big deal anyway.

@KnightNZ

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#902726 25-Sep-2013 21:59

Does the Filo DAC offer 5 channel outputs via RCA? Or is it stereo only?
If it's stereo, it can't touch HDMI for surround sound, obviously.
Not only will it not take DTS MasterHD etc... by definition, it will be dropping 5.1 soundtracks to stereo.

stevenz

2802 posts

Uber Geek

#902731 25-Sep-2013 22:14

Which is why you set the audio output on the PS3 to "stereo".

If the OP wants full works surround sound, then he'll need to buy a surround-sound receiver with an HDMI or Optical input,, or a set of 5.1 speakers with an onboard DTS\AC3 decoder, the latter is a) not very common and b) not very cheap. I got the impression he was okay "keeping it simple". If this is not the case, then more hardware is going to be needed.

Alternatively, you can try and find something like the Creative Labs DDTS-100 which is an outboard Dolby/DTS decoder unit with multi-channel output. I've got one laying around somewhere and it's actually a pretty good, albeit ugly, little unit. You can then use the existing Logitech 5.1 speakers from the multichannel output on the decoder.

Something like this would probably do the job if 5.1 is needed with existing computer speakers: http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Analog-Audio-Decoder-Converter/dp/B0057UNPVO/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_1
(Probably not that particular unit though as according to the reviews, it's a bit sub-par)

@KnightNZ