Optical vs Analog

[byalexandr]

I have a Bose Cinemate II for my main rig's sound system. It sounds nice, despite how bad audiophiles may think it is. Anyway, it has both analog (it uses component for the analog, I use a 3.5mm to component adapter) and an Optical SPDIF input, which my PC also has. Is it worth the $5 on Amazon for the cable? Would it sound noticeably better in any way? Would it at least make up for it in that I wouldn't have to have tons of different cables under my desk, instead I would have a single optical cable?

 

Oh, and I made these stands for the speakers:

 

Is there any way I should orient them? Like, towards me, parallel to my desk? How far away so that I can perceive the left and right channels clearly? And is there anything I should do software wise to make it sound clearer or equalized or something? Sorry, I'm really new to this. And the subwoofer is under my desk to the right of me, is there any place I should put that? Behind me or something? Suggestions? Thanks!

[Donk Quixote]

An audio file is digital, a bunch of ones and zeros.  If you connect your Bose system to the motherboard with the analogue, component cables that means that the DAC (Digital to Analougue Converter) inside your motherboard transforms the digital file to analog before it gets transmitted.  If you connect it with the SPDIF then the ones and zeros will be fed into the DAC that's in your Bose's system and get converted there.  So the question is what is better, the DAC in your motherboard or the DAC in your Bose system.  I'm guessing you wouldn't be able to tell the difference in a double blind test, even if you listen really hard.  There maybe something loss, or some interference, with the analogue cable.  Don't worry about it unless you hear some hissing or something.  Usually it's not a problem with short cable runs.

 

As for as everything else just try different things.  I like my home theater speakers angled slightly towards me.  I worked it out by tinkering.  The sub emits a sound frequency that non-direction (maybe not the right term).  It shouldn't matter where it's placed.  The tweeters on the speakers should be at the same level, or as close as possible, as your ears to be optimal.

[Donk Quixote]

Hey, do you have an R290 in that thing?  How noisy/hot does it get?  

 

I'm moving my rig into a ISK600, and while I think my 270 will be fine I might want to upgrade to the 290 if I get an Oculus rift.

[byalexandr]

An audio file is digital, a bunch of ones and zeros.  If you connect your Bose system to the motherboard with the analogue, component cables that means that the DAC (Digital to Analougue Converter) inside your motherboard transforms the digital file to analog before it gets transmitted.  If you connect it with the SPDIF then the ones and zeros will be fed into the DAC that's in your Bose's system and get converted there.  So the question is what is better, the DAC in your motherboard or the DAC in your Bose system.  I'm guessing you wouldn't be able to tell the difference in a double blind test, even if you listen really hard.  There maybe something loss, or some interference, with the analogue cable.  Don't worry about it unless you hear some hissing or something.  Usually it's not a problem with short cable runs.

 

As for as everything else just try different things.  I like my home theater speakers angled slightly towards me.  I worked it out by tinkering.  The sub emits a sound frequency that non-direction (maybe not the right term).  It shouldn't matter where it's placed.  The tweeters on the speakers should be at the same level, or as close as possible, as your ears to be optimal.

Wow thanks! I guess I'll keep using the DAC on my mobo, it's not that bad, although I might get the optical cable just to save some cable mess. As for the speakers, I made the stands so they are at ear level when I sit down. The sub on the other hand, it seems to be louder and/or have more of a hit when you're close to a wall, especially in the corner of the room. Perhaps I should put it behind me so it amplifies off of the wall? I do like bass and this thing, well, it delivers.

 

Hey, do you have an R290 in that thing?  How noisy/hot does it get?  

 

I'm moving my rig into a ISK600, and while I think my 270 will be fine I might want to upgrade to the 290 if I get an Oculus rift.

Yeah I do, I used to have it watercooled by a custom mod I did:

 

But I traded with my friend for another stock cooler since that one above didn't fit in my case very well. The liquid cooled one was stellar, idled at 30C and load at 60C while being dead silent the entire time. As for the reference cooler, it CAN be quiet(er) than what people say, if you're okay with it reaching 95C. I like to keep the target temps at 80C so the fan spins up a bit more to keep it that way. I haven't OC'd either so it would get a lot hotter too. If you do want a 390, I seriously recommend watercooling or an aftermarket cooler, unless you're completely okay with the sound of a blower like I am.

[cragger89]

Try both and see which sounds better.

 

Which ever has the best implementation of it's DAC and output stage, should sound the best. You're only listening in stereo with the Bose rig because it is 2.1, so you won't be missing anything in terms of multichannel codecs if you decide to stick with analogue.

[Donk Quixote]

I just looked the Bose on Amazon and say "Proprietary TrueSpace Digital Processing Circuitry" and "Proprietary Videostage 5 Decoding/ Post-processing Circuitry".  It could be that the DAC inside the Bose system does something other than convert the digital to analogue as neutrally, accurately as possible.  It could be that they add some color to it specifically designed to go with the way they colored the speakers.  It's quite possible that the DAC on the Bose sounds different, and therefore better or worse.  It wouldn't surprise me.  So now I do think using the digital optical cable is worth a shot.

 

The ISK600 doesn't look like it has great airflow.  I got it for about $30, so I'm thinking if I try a case mod and mess it up it won't be that big of a deal. I was thinking about drilling a top mounted exhaust fan. Another thing I thought if is just gaming with with cover off so it looks more like a test bench.  I think I'll wait for black friday and get the best 290x deal available regardless of cooler and go from there.