Techsurvivors

Archives => 2003 => Topic started by: sokukodo on April 08, 2003, 07:36:00 PM

Title: sound cards
Post by: sokukodo on April 08, 2003, 07:36:00 PM

I plan on buying a set of Klipsch speakers (a 5.1 system) for the PM 1.42 I'm going to buy ... included in the purchase will be the radeon 9700 pro graphics card. My question is, will I need to buy a separate sound card to run the Klipsch speakers? or does the graphics card handle this task (as well as the graphics)?

Title: sound cards
Post by: kelly on April 09, 2003, 12:25:00 PM

sokukodo. Congratulations.  

Why go for the 9700? Are you a Gamer?

I doubt that the 9700 will be used for sound.

Seems I recall having that option on some PC Video cards.

This Review says:

"For full 5.1 sound, a 5.1-capable sound card is required."

http://www.clanmacgaming.com/articles.php?read=1956

Maybe this?

http://dealmac.com/articles/49631.html

Title: sound cards
Post by: sokukodo on April 09, 2003, 09:55:00 PM

Thank you, Kelly, for your help; it is much appreciated. Although I wouldn't refer to myself as a "gamer", there are times that I enjoy a game or two. I mostly watch DVDs and listen to music. I think that the 20" Cinema Display would be ideal for watching movies (with a surround-sound system to compliment the Display). The Klipsch system is icing on the cake. The Revolution 7.1 sound card appears as though it would do the trick (although I wish that the speakers and sound card had a USB or Firewire interface).

Title: sound cards
Post by: zodraz on April 11, 2003, 03:29:00 PM

No, you wouldn't need a sound card, the PMs have great sound capabilities "on-board".

If the Klipsch system is "self-powered", you're good to go. With maybe minijack adapter.

If those speakers aren't powered, plug the Mac into any stereo amplifier suitable to drive those speakers.

Title: sound cards
Post by: kelly on April 12, 2003, 10:40:00 AM

Interesting Z.  

I didn't know and that's what I found.

Do you have actual experince with 5.1 on a Tower without a Card?

Title: sound cards
Post by: sokukodo on April 12, 2003, 01:23:00 PM

Yes, that is interesting ... what are the capabilities of "on-board" sound card vs 3rd party? BTW, I've decided to drop the Klipsch system for a pair of Swans M-200s (decisions, decisions!)

Title: sound cards
Post by: kelly on April 12, 2003, 09:12:00 PM

Ok.  

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equi...01/swanm200.htm

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/arch...oudspeakers.htm

http://store.klipsch.com/details.asp?prodID=35

http://store.klipsch.com/list.asp?DepID=8&CtgID=8

Title: sound cards
Post by: Spartacus on April 13, 2003, 08:40:00 AM

I am no sound expert, but to second what Zodraz said is the fact that Macs had their sound capabilities on-board ever since the first Mac was released. And all post-DigitalAudio PowerMacs have a digital amplifier on-board, so you should get excellent sound quality without the need for an additional sound card.

Title: sound cards
Post by: sokukodo on April 13, 2003, 01:55:00 PM

Hmm ... has anyone seen the specs of the on-board amplifier in the powermac?

Title: sound cards
Post by: Spartacus on April 13, 2003, 04:29:00 PM

I found this Apple document.

Not sure, if it answers your questions.

Title: sound cards
Post by: sokukodo on April 13, 2003, 05:11:00 PM

Thanks, Spartacus ... I see that, in the G4, it's a 16-bit/44.1 khz card ...