USB to miniplug (or RCA?) audio

[batjeep]

I just got a sweet deal on a dolby pro logic home theater system (the JBL ESC550) and i use it as my sound output for my computer. I get nasty background hiss from my Vortex1 PCI card and had the idea of using something that would use my USB port. Like speakers that plug straight into the usb port but instead of speakers attatching i want to use my stereo. Any one know of an inexpensive solution to do this? thanks

[mike511]

There are a couple ways you could do this. All depends on how much you want to spend.

The first would be you buy a sound blaster live value edition which you could buy oem for $59 or less. then goto http://www.audiencedp.com/sbdb3.htm and scroll down a little, and buy either they're NXDBI-CA18 for $14, or there SB DB II for $25. The latter for $25 would be your best bet because it features 4 channel output. Both come with the coaxial output that you need to hook to your coaxial/RCA input of your digital reciever. Also both include the cable that runs from this add-on card to your SB Live value card. So for $85 bucks or less you'll get PURE digital output to your digital reciver. If you go this route make sure you specify sound blaster live VALUE when you order.

A second and less expsive alternative is there is a cable from sony, that is bundled
with they're mini disc players that is a D/A converter connects between your PC's USB port and outputs the signal to a 1/4 phono jack. You could then buy and adapter that would raise this jack to a 1/2" phono plug, bye an adapter that converts the 1/2" phono plug to a female RCA plug, buy a y-adapter that splits the signal into stereo, and run an RCA stereo cable from the y-adapter into your stereo input of your reciever. You'd have to contact sony for a price on just the
"PCLink (USB Cable, D/A Converter, Mini-Mini Stereo Cable) ", the y-adpater and 1/4" to 1/2" adapter and 1/2" phono plug to RCA female plug would run less then 10 bucks at your local radio shack.

Hope this helps. If you want good pure digital, i'd spend the extra bucks and chose
the first way that i mentioned. Also ask around and see what other people think.

Mike

[batjeep]

Thanks for the idea i called sony parts dept. and a helpful person there found the part for me. (a usb to mini plug sound converter) best part is, since they dont sell it seperately in stores, (I'd imagine it would cost like 40-50) it only costs $11.20 after $6.00 shipping once i get it in the mail ill post to tell how it is

[mike511]

No problem, i'm glad you could buy the part seperately from sony, since i couldn't find it anywhere on the net to give you a price on. Let me know how it works out.