Author Topic: sound cards  (Read 3298 times)

Offline sokukodo

  • Super Duper Poster
  • ****
  • Posts: 409
    • View Profile
    • http://
sound cards
« 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)?
2.5 Ghz GHz Intel Core i5 iMac, 21.5" display w/4 GB RAM;
Grado headphones (RS 1); AKG K701 headphones;
HeadRoom Ultra Micro amp + Astrodyne power supply; HeadRoom Ultra Micro DAC + Astrodyne power supply;
Running 10.7.2
Retired, US Army Corps of Engineers

Offline kelly

  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 17035
    • View Profile
    • http://
sound cards
« Reply #1 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
kelly
Veteran SuperUser

Offline sokukodo

  • Super Duper Poster
  • ****
  • Posts: 409
    • View Profile
    • http://
sound cards
« Reply #2 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).
2.5 Ghz GHz Intel Core i5 iMac, 21.5" display w/4 GB RAM;
Grado headphones (RS 1); AKG K701 headphones;
HeadRoom Ultra Micro amp + Astrodyne power supply; HeadRoom Ultra Micro DAC + Astrodyne power supply;
Running 10.7.2
Retired, US Army Corps of Engineers

Offline zodraz

  • Super Duper Poster
  • ****
  • Posts: 277
    • View Profile
sound cards
« Reply #3 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.

Offline kelly

  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 17035
    • View Profile
    • http://
sound cards
« Reply #4 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?
kelly
Veteran SuperUser

Offline sokukodo

  • Super Duper Poster
  • ****
  • Posts: 409
    • View Profile
    • http://
sound cards
« Reply #5 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!)
2.5 Ghz GHz Intel Core i5 iMac, 21.5" display w/4 GB RAM;
Grado headphones (RS 1); AKG K701 headphones;
HeadRoom Ultra Micro amp + Astrodyne power supply; HeadRoom Ultra Micro DAC + Astrodyne power supply;
Running 10.7.2
Retired, US Army Corps of Engineers


Offline Spartacus

  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 547
    • View Profile
    • http://www.theapplemuseum.com
sound cards
« Reply #7 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.
Power Macintosh G5 (Late 2004), 1.8 GHz, 1GB RAM, DVD/CD-RW combo, ATI Radeon 9600XT
w. Lacie electron blue IV 19-inch CRT display
iPod mini, 4 GB
AirPort Express
HP LaserJet 4200N
HP DeskJet 6940

Offline sokukodo

  • Super Duper Poster
  • ****
  • Posts: 409
    • View Profile
    • http://
sound cards
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2003, 01:55:00 PM »
Hmm ... has anyone seen the specs of the on-board amplifier in the powermac?
2.5 Ghz GHz Intel Core i5 iMac, 21.5" display w/4 GB RAM;
Grado headphones (RS 1); AKG K701 headphones;
HeadRoom Ultra Micro amp + Astrodyne power supply; HeadRoom Ultra Micro DAC + Astrodyne power supply;
Running 10.7.2
Retired, US Army Corps of Engineers

Offline Spartacus

  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 547
    • View Profile
    • http://www.theapplemuseum.com
sound cards
« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2003, 04:29:00 PM »
I found this Apple document.

Not sure, if it answers your questions.
Power Macintosh G5 (Late 2004), 1.8 GHz, 1GB RAM, DVD/CD-RW combo, ATI Radeon 9600XT
w. Lacie electron blue IV 19-inch CRT display
iPod mini, 4 GB
AirPort Express
HP LaserJet 4200N
HP DeskJet 6940

Offline sokukodo

  • Super Duper Poster
  • ****
  • Posts: 409
    • View Profile
    • http://
sound cards
« Reply #10 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 ...
2.5 Ghz GHz Intel Core i5 iMac, 21.5" display w/4 GB RAM;
Grado headphones (RS 1); AKG K701 headphones;
HeadRoom Ultra Micro amp + Astrodyne power supply; HeadRoom Ultra Micro DAC + Astrodyne power supply;
Running 10.7.2
Retired, US Army Corps of Engineers