Laptop music to high fi - how to connect

euser1984

Hi,
I've a basic hi-fi and I want to be able to play music from my laptop through it. It's very messy though because the 3.5mm jack has a good chance of damaging both itself and my audio out port. Also, it is very inconvenient to have to use a cable.

Is there anything out there to make life easier for me?

Thanks.

frozenfrozen

usb soundcard, then rca to rca into the hifi is the next easiest thing to using a cable straight from the laptop if you can't use the 3.5mm on the laptop its self

Antomus Prime

If you dont want cables then you could try using an FM transmitter (like the one below) and tune the HiFi into the frequency. Always the risk of losing sound quality

WillyFXP

You're not going to get anywhere near decent quality unless you use a cable, simples. Best bet is to buy a decent set of external speakers for the laptop.

Slaphead07

To do it properly you'll need a USB DAC which would have RCA output to your amp. Some are cheap and cheerful, some are not. For a decent one you won't much change from €200.

A good example... http://www.musicdirect.com/p-93452-pro-ject-usb-box-s-dac.aspx

coylemj

Antomus Prime wrote: »

If you dont want cables then you could try using an FM transmitter (like the one below) and tune the HiFi into the frequency. Always the risk of losing sound quality

That Belkin device chews up batteries, even when it's switched off so I'd avoid it.

OP, the only way you'll get decent quality is to connect the PC direct to the amp. using this cable...

Slaphead07

coylemj wrote: »

OP, the only way you'll get decent quality is to connect the PC direct to the amp. using this cable.

Eh? Seriously?

coylemj

Slaphead07 wrote: »

Eh? Seriously?

What have you in mind? Bluetooth? Wireless? DAC converter?

The OP only has what he himself calls a 'basic' hi-fi so you surely aren't going to suggest he invests in anything other than an audio cable to connect his PC to the amp?

Slaphead07

coylemj wrote: »

What have you in mind? Bluetooth? Wireless? DAC converter?

The OP only has what he himself calls a 'basic' hi-fi so you surely aren't going to suggest he invests in anything other than an audio cable to connect his PC to the amp?

As I already said, a USB DAC. A cheap cable like that will get a signal to the amp alright but it will sound horrible and even a 'basic' hifi will exaggerate the horribleness.

My point is that that cable is obviously not the "only" solution.

coylemj

Slaphead07 wrote: »

As I already said, a USB DAC. A cheap cable like that will get a signal to the amp alright but it will sound horrible and even a 'basic' hifi will exaggerate the horribleness.

My point is that that cable is obviously not the "only" solution.

Waste of money, that gadget looks like a classic case of a solution looking for a problem.

Slaphead07

coylemj wrote: »

Waste of money, that gadget looks like a classic case of a solution looking for a problem.

We're obviously on different planets here.
I can categorically state it is neither a "gadget" not a waste or money.

As the OP has been answered that's my final post on the matter.

phelixoflaherty

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-UCA202-U-Control-low-latency-Interface/dp/B000KW2YEI