f13.net

Ok, so. Time to be a little unorthodox.

There's no computer solution for people that care about sound. Like, at all. The Logitech solutions are, let's face it, shit. And my Logitech Z-550 speakers are driving me nuts. And I don't want to go to Klipsch, because they were basically trash and made me switch to Logitech.

To be specific, looking for a 2.1 setup (don't care about surround sound at all). So a pair of bookshelves and a powered sub.

Here's the issue though. The bookshelves will be going on a desk. Well, in my particular situation, I have a good deal of desk space for speakers...

But the receiver (which needs 5 optical inputs [PS2/360/PS3/PC1/PC2], 4 AV [Dreamcast/Wii/MicroPC/Laptop]). Also, I'd like the receiver to be small...ish? As such, I might need to go with some sort of pre-amp and powered speakers?

Anyway, let's say I've got a budget of... $1,000. But would love to keep it around $500-$700. Also, I'd like to avoid buying some shitty A/V switcher as I'd have to shell out $200+ for a decent one with optical & HDMI (bleh).

So yea, thanks for any help you can provide.

I know jack shit about speakers, but this (http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?s=02f49ed6a51ebbe35b020733d6fecef4&showforum=115) might be a useful link. These guys know their audio hardware like f13 knows games.

I'd be surprised if you find anything with 5 optical inputs.  You might need to look at different hook-ups for the audio.

The video switching might also be a problem since I doubt you'll also find a receiver with two PC inputs (I'm not even sure you'll have any luck finding one with one).  Are you planning on running all the video sources through the same TV/monitor?

You will need amplification if you want to use bookshelf speakers since there is next to no amplication in PC audio. 

What it'll probably look like is a video-switch for PC-input into TV, some kind of custom switch for optical audio into the amp or receiver (or straight to the receiver using stereo inputs).  You're still going to have a lot of manual source switching though (unless you go with different audio hook-ups.)

Yeah, it seems to me you're pretty boned on the receiver.  You're asking for a whole lot with that array of inputs.

You are 100% boned on the receiver. You won't find anything with 5 optical inputs that is also small. They don't exist.

HOWEVER, depending on how you are looking at setting things up, you CAN get an optical switcher that works with IR. Ones where you physically hit a button are all over the place, IR ones are around but a bit more expensive.

The problem it comes down to is that there is no single piece of equipment that can acept 5 optical and 4 AV (component? HDMI?) inputs, and you might find one in the upper ranges of Denon/Onkyo/Mcintosh(lol), but any that you find will be large. They won't be fitting on a bookshelf. Receivers are far, far too deep.

Your best bet is to cludge together two IR switches (one for the optical, one for the AV), and get a cheapy one or two input decoder (for your precious DD/DTS/ProLogic/Crap). Because they are in parts, and your source isn't that great (let's be honest here...), it will probably sounds okay. Then, run it all with a programmable universal remote.

Speakers are a whole other bag, but any will do. You really don't need preamps and powered speakers for a 2.1 speaker setup (the sub is powered, obviously). Any decoder/receiver you get is going to have enough power to drive 2 speakers.

Mind if I piggy back this thread for suggestions for wireless speakers that work with your standard PC Creative Sound Blaster PCI card?  The idea is that I'd love a 4.1 set up, but I can't have cables running all over the place. I've no expertise in this area at all. I've seen some on-line, but I can't glean from the reviews or specs if its something I'd be content with.

Wireless speakers are the opposite of quality :(

I think quality 2.1 is the best way to go. I bought a pair of JM Lab (Focal) bookshelf speakers and a Yamaha amp a few years ago from the best hi-fi shop (http://www.lenwallisaudio.com/) where I live. I should have bought a cheaper pair of B&W speakers that had a more earthy sound, but the salesman did his job and sold me the JM Lab pair. So my first piece of advice would be to immerse yourself in a good hi-fi shop and listen to what they have (mine had a good soundproof listening room with all the speakers set up where I could flick between lots of pairs and crank the sound). Then go with what YOU think sounds best, whether it's at your budget or cheaper.

I'm not sure on subwoofers. Someone else can probably give better advice.

For a few years I had a "technology wall" where everything from TV to DVD to hi-fi to computer was all connected, and all went through the same amp and speakers. It sounded awesome. Now I live in a different place and the amp/speakers are purely TV, DVD and hi-fi. The computer goes through a set of Cambridge Soundworks 2.1 speakers that constantly surprise me with their fidelity. They were cheap and don't look like much, but everybody who hears them thinks I must have spent up big. The sub makes all the difference.

You'd think that with all the wireless, bluetooth, IR, you name it technology that's developed over the last decade that it wouldn't be that great a challenge to put out moderately decent wireless speakers. Are you saying that they're all total POS, or are we talking high fidelity here? I'm not that much of an audiophile, so I would probably be content with something just decent, not superb.

I imagine it has something to do with sending the information digitally, then having a built in Digital-to-Analog converter in the speaker.

In my own n00b opinion, the biggest problem with wireless isn't the signal per se, it's the power needed to drive the speakers on a consistent, even basis.  Once battery technology gets a bit better it might not be such an issue.