Polk speakers/sub for PC sound via A/V receiver

trog69

Good afternoon. I have a pair of Polk 30s, and I just received my Polk Audio PSW505 sub. (I also have a pair of Bose 301s for later, perhaps.)

I want to use my new Sony 7.1 A/V receiver, and use it as a sound system for my PC. Is there a recommended method for this? I have SPDIF (optical) option, and HDMI in/out. In fact, I guess I have whatever connection would be optimal.

I just saw that someone else had asked about something similar, but didn't come back for answers. I'd rather get suggestions to connect it properly instead of just running around like a crazy person trying out every possibility.

Thanks for any help. Oh, and the receiver is the Sony STR-DH520

zingo

I would suggest SPDIF/optical from the PC as it will not conduct the electrical noise. I presume you have an SPDIF output on your computer?

PC -> SPDIF -> Sony Receiver -> speakers cables -> Polk 30s

trog69

Thank you for the suggestion. For some reason, the spdif connector does not fit into the spdif input on the receiver. The one I have is one of those hard plastic cables, and it seems that the connector end is too large for the receiver's input. I didn't know there were different sizes, or am I not pushing hard enough? (Yes, I really am that ignorant when it comes to these types of connections.)

In the meantime, I'm trying to dig up one of my HDMI cables I know I have around here somewhere, until I can determine what the snag is via spdif.

Again, thank you for your time.

zingo

SPDIF is keyed so it will only fit in with one side up, but there is only one size connector. Sometimes it's a little tricky to get it secure based on how the cable twists from one component to the other.

trog69

Sorry for answering so late. I have everything up and running via HDMI. Yes, I was confused and didn't know there are a couple of different types of SPDIF ends, and I had the one used for mobile devices, with a long male plug. I now have a new, standard sized SPDIF cable to use as signal to the receiver while I use HDMI to run the on-screen controls on my monitor. I'm also testing SPDIF vs HDMI for sound quality, but so far I've been told that HDMI will provide better multi-speaker set systems.

The sound is incredible. Games, music came alive. The upgrade from my Klipsch 4.1 speaker system to this is similar to when I upgraded from a HD5770 to a gtx580 card, though I think that the PSW505 is the engine driving the awesome. heh.

nodes

I am using an Onkyo 809 via HDMI with my PC hooked up to a PSW111 and 2x TSI100's.

It sounds great!