Best 3.5 mm to RCA Cable

[admin_exported]

Dear members at What Hi-Fi,

I want to link my 3.5 mm output from my laptop computer to aux in from my amplifier.

In this way, what are today best cable 3.5 mm to RCA, to connect the output of my pc to my left and right input aux of my amplifier?

I had view the following cables:

- Q E D Stero Jack to Phono Precision Audio Cable

http://www.qed.co.uk/197/gb/product/profile/stereo_jack_to_phono.htm

- Chord Company Ichord

http://whathifi.com/Review/Chord-Company-iChord/

Thank´s in advance

Best regards

Ass: Vítor Santos

 

[Andrew Everard]

The limiting factor is more likely to be the output stage of the PC, rather than the cable.

 

[Big Chris]

True. Spotify through my Atlas cable sounds awful, but you can't blame the cable.

Radio from my Pure Evoke into my Hi-Fi sounds great.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ATLAS-i-POD-2RCA-3-5mm-1-5m-HALF-PRICE-BARGAIN-/320584054585?pt=UK_CE_MP3Access_RL&hash=item4aa44c7739

 

[Anonymous]

The limiting factor is more likely to be the output stage of the PC, rather than the cable.

Hello Sir ,

I really want to ask some questions to you,unfortunately there is no option to chat with you..

EDITED BY MODS - that's exactly what this forum is for...

 

[CustomCable]

Agreed with Andrew on this one as it is like running your ipod's headphone socket into the back of your amplifier. You have to remember the output from a headphone socket is only going to really be sufficient for driving a set of headphones. When i say "driving" i unfortunately use that in it's loosest form. There are options for you and the iChord and Profile are both good cables, however I would probably invest my money into a USB DAC and use that into the back of my amplifier.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[fayeanddavid]

So............if the sound card is the limiting factor, which is fully understood, what would be a suitable minimum specification (as it were) for a sound card which then could be used as an output (via 3.5mm or whatever) to an amp?

I use an HP Pavilion dm4, no ideawhat sound card is fitted, but would certainly want to do what the thread owner is talking of.

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

The limiting factor is more likely to be the output stage of the PC, rather than the cable.

How to rectify that sir..???

How to improve the output stage of the pc??

 

[Andrew Everard]

A better soundcard would be one approach; another would to be to use an external digital to analogue converter, connected via USB or, if your computer allows it, an optical digital connection.

I've recently been trying the Musical Fidelity V-Link interface into both the same company's V-DAC and into the digital inputs of various streaming clients, and can report that it sounds way better than any direct connection method between laptop and amplifier.

 

[Anonymous]

Could u pls suggest ,best usb dac...right now iam having a dell inspiron 6400 laptop which doesnot have an optical output,in few months i have planned to buy sony vaio f13 series laptop which is having optical output,if i purchase a dac now is it can be used with future vaio f13 series???

Dear Andrew Everard sir,

My sincere apologies and thanks for u patience,i understand iam doing lot of mistakes here,pls guide me where to start from,even using the foroms??how can i set a signature for me??pls remove this reply later,since not related to the thread..pls

schwarzennegger

 

[Andrew Everard]

Could u pls suggest ,best usb dac...right now iam having a dell inspiron 6400 laptop which doesnot have an optical output,in few months i have planned to buy sony vaio f13 series laptop which is having optical output,if i purchase a dac now is it can be used with future vaio f13 series???

Right now I would suggest the MF V-DAC and V-Link as offering very good 'bang for buck', connecting between the two units using an optical cable for optimal isolation.

As for your signature, click 'my account' top right of this page, just below where it says your name on the red title bar, and you can then enter signature information and then click save. Job done.

 

[Anonymous]

A better soundcard would be one approach; another would to be to use an external digital to analogue converter, connected via USB or, if your computer allows it, an optical digital connection.

I've recently been trying the Musical Fidelity V-Link interface into both the same company's V-DAC and into the digital inputs of various streaming clients, and can report that it sounds way better than any direct connection method between laptop and amplifier.

A dac is used to convert the analog signals of a computer to digital if the computer is not having digital output ,i understand this,but if a computer having optical digital output why we need DAC again(wonder..why to convert the digital signal which already coming out from the computer to again digital)assuming the signal coming from optical digital output is digital??

 

[Anonymous]

Right now I would suggest the MF V-DAC and V-Link as offering very good 'bang for buck', connecting between the two units using an optical cable for optimal isolation.

As for your signature, click 'my account' top right of this page, just below where it says your name on the red title bar, and you can then enter signature information and then click save. Job done.

Thank you soooooooooooooo much sir for your kind and valuble advice above all for u r patience..

 

[Andrew Everard]

A dac is used to convert the analog signals of a computer to digital if the computer is not having digital output ,i understand this,but if a computer having optical digital output why we need DAC again(wonder..why to convert the digital signal which already coming out from the computer to again digital)assuming the signal coming from optical digital output is digital??

No, a DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter) is used to convert the digital output from the computer – be it over an optical link or via USB (should the DAC support this) – to analogue, so a conventional analogue amplifier can amplify it and play it through your speakers.

 

[CustomCable]

Have to agree with Andrew, after prolonged listening the V-Link, V-DAC and V-PSU really is a setup to be proud of. It offers excellent value for money and a great form factor.

 

[Anonymous]

Right now I would suggest the MF V-DAC and V-Link as offering very good 'bang for buck', connecting between the two units using an optical cable for optimal isolation.

As for your signature, click 'my account' top right of this page, just below where it says your name on the red title bar, and you can then enter signature information and then click save. Job done.

Thank you soooooooooooooo much sir for your kind and valuble advice above all for u r patience..

Sir..regarding the optical cable which u have mentioned,how i should look for in the internet..just optical cable or optical cable connecting between two interconnects ..something like this..could u pls recommened some cable??

 

[Andrew Everard]

Sir..regarding the optical cable which u have mentioned,how i should look for in the internet..just optical cable or optical cable connecting between two interconnects ..something like this..could u pls recommened some cable??

Something like this will do very nicely.

 

[Anonymous]

A dac is used to convert the analog signals of a computer to digital if the computer is not having digital output ,i understand this,but if a computer having optical digital output why we need DAC again(wonder..why to convert the digital signal which already coming out from the computer to again digital)assuming the signal coming from optical digital output is digital??

No, a DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter) is used to convert the digital output from the computer – be it over an optical link or via USB (should the DAC support this) – to analogue, so a conventional analogue amplifier can amplify it and play it through your speakers.

Got it sir,thanks..could u pls mention some weblink or address where i can learn the basics related to musics and videos..

 

[Anonymous]

Have to agree with Andrew, after prolonged listening the V-Link, V-DAC and V-PSU really is a setup to be proud of. It offers excellent value for money and a great form factor.

Dear Mr.Custom cable,sorry dont knw u r name,thank's for u r response,could pls tell me which optical cable u have used to link th v-dac an v-link and how should i ask this for in the stores??is there any more cables need to connect all these from laptop to the amplifer(sony vaio-dav dz 111 -all in one home theatre system)

 

[Anonymous]

Sir,

Just i rang to Music fidality customer care,unfortunately nobody is there to answer the call...I found in the internet-V-dac costs around 160 pounds,and couldn't find any price or any details about v-link apart from their website.Did i need both v-dac and v-link or any one of these is fine for a start..so the v-dac have usb connection so that can connect to the laptop ,and the optical cable is to connect v-dac and v-link is it correct...if all these upgrade are enough,then is there any need to upgrade my laptop 2 sony vaio f13 series which is having optical output...???

 

[Andrew Everard]

You can connect direct to the V-DAC using a USB connection, and then via analogue stereo interconnects to your Sony system. The V-Link, connected by USB to the computer, and then via optical to the V-DAC, will give a better sound, but frankly I am not sure that the quality of the Sony system you have will make the most of these quality improvements.

However, either route will mean that you don't need to upgrade your laptop.

Regarding a simple guide to computer/system connectivity, have a look at the latest issue of What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision, or have a read here...

 

[Anonymous]

You can connect direct to the V-DAC using a USB connection, and then via analogue stereo interconnects to your Sony system. The V-Link, connected by USB to the computer, and then via optical to the V-DAC, will give a better sound, but frankly I am not sure that the quality of the Sony system you have will make the most of these quality improvements.

However, either route will mean that you don't need to upgrade your laptop.

Regarding a simple guide to computer/system connectivity, have a look at the latest issue of What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision, or have a read here...

Thank u very .......much for all your support and patience...i didn't expect such a big help and advise from the boss...Take care sir bye..iam so so so happy,iam sure u r answers to my questions will help future newbies tooooo...have a nice day

 

[Anonymous]

I read the links which u have provided...too be honest its sooo awesome .really very helpfull..i learned something now,u have saved so many hours which i might spend for searching in the net-just by providing the very usefull link,thank you very much for the time u have spend in searching to find u r previous article.

After i read u r articles,i understand nowdays AV recievers coming with inbulilt DAC- by this we can eliminate the cost for a seperate DAV and ofcourse the av receiver will be usefull when i replace my current sony all in one system to a seprate budget speaker package,which is usefull in watching home cinema too..in that case any suggestion for AV receiver with DAC i can go for???

Is really the mother board quality of computer is important for output music quality?Mac-Dell-Sony ..differs?in these..if so as far as your experience and knowledge which will be best?

 

[Andrew Everard]

One of the advantages of the V-Link, in my experience, is that it seems to make the sound much less dependent on the quality of the computer used.

As far as receivers are concerned, any model with a digital input – and that means all of them – will be suitable: it's more a matter of buying one to suit your needs and budget.

But bear in mind that you may run into problems using such a receiver with the speakers designed for use with your all-in-one: the speakers are probably of fairly low impedance, and this won't suit a high-quality AV receiver too well.

 

[Anonymous]

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/hcs-surround-kit---dvd-player/dav-dz111/tab/technicalspecs

This is the sony system iam having,as far as my need at this moment-like to listen good music and watch the blu-ray quality movies which i have in my extral hard drive,conncecting to a sony 32 inch hd ready tv. As u can c all my stuffs are 4 years old,after reading hifi magazine i started my learning curve..slowly i will save pennys and go forward.

As far as v-link i spoke to Music fidality tech members and they dont have any idea about the price and since they sell through independent sellers,and since its very new not able to find in the net search too.

If my sony sytem permits can i go for this Onkyo TX-sr608 BEST BUY RECEIVER ,if i purchase still i need v-link or v-dac??

In long term i would like to buy a budget speaker package-if you think its wise to wait for some more time and save more money and buy a seprate av receivers and speaker package,if it so like 1500 pounds is my budget which A/V receiver and speaker package i can choose,to be honest sir,i cant afford too much money but i will always keep an eye i ebay to find better used product from some wealthy person..what u think sir?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yes, I know the system you have – that's why I referred to it in an earlier answer.

As far as V-Link is concerned, this should give you some prices and stockists.

Yes, if you buy the Onkyo you'll still need the V-Link or something like it to act as an interface between the USB output of your computer and the optical/electrical digital inputs on the receiver. You may also want to add an external DAC, depending on what you think of the sound quality of the conversion built into the receiver - that's really a matter for personal opinion and some listening tests.

When you buy a receiver, you will also need a new speaker package, for reasons I have already pointed out, and also a Blu-ray player. £1500 should be more than sufficient to get everything you need.