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View Full Version : Audigy 2 Non-ZX, SPDIF, z680, and my heinous confusion... :)


Element-Xero
11-10-05, 10:31 AM
Buenos tardes los overclockers.

Just recently invested in a z680 system after doing much research. Got a nice deal on 'em, paid about 175$ new shipped, so it wasn't worth gettin the 5500 for me. Going to be a gigantic step up from my 30 dollar cambrige soundworks 2.1 from 2001 :P

Also I purchased a SB Audigy 2 (non-ZS).

Now, I know a good bit about audio in general (mostly car audio), but this is my first foray into the digital arena, so I'm completely lost.

My question basically boils down to this:

What connection is the Audigy2's SPDIF output? I have read about optical and coaxial, and my guess would be coaxial, but it looks the same as a ministereo plug and the cables look different to me?

Also my mobo (NF7) has optical SPDIF out that I know the z680 box will accept, but on some audio applications with the analogue connection (i.e. Quake4) I can get an unpleasant crackle or hiss (even though framerate is good) so I thought it best to buy a dedicated soundcard like the Audigy. Good move? Bad move? Would the crackle have stopped if I used the digital out?

Basically I need to know how I can connect the z680's control box to the Audigy 2 non-ZS with the highest quality digital connection possible. Which cable, which port, etc.

Thanks alot for enduring this rambling mess!

-ex-

mofei1
11-10-05, 10:47 AM
i have a audigy 2 zs and have the logitech z-5500 connected via analogue and digital. u need to find either a mini plug to rca convertor http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-5MM-MINI-MONO-JACK-PLUG-TO-PHONO-RCA-ADAPTOR-ADAPTER_W0QQitemZ5795775891QQcategoryZ96942QQssPag eNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting and then a coxial cable. this is how i have my z-5500 connected digitally to my a2 zs/ hope this helps

Element-Xero
11-10-05, 11:08 AM
Okay, so I'd plug the 3.5-to-RCA adapter into my SPDIF-OUT port on the audigy, then run a digital coaxial from the RCA end of the adaptor to my z680 control box?

bchur83
11-10-05, 11:13 AM
Okay, so I'd plug the 3.5-to-RCA adapter into my SPDIF-OUT port on the audigy, then run a digital coaxial from the RCA end of the adaptor to my z680 control box?

Exactly. Make sure you get a Mono 3.5 to RCA adapter.

JCLW
11-10-05, 11:36 AM
As for the cable, any 75ohm coax cable will do. You might have a composite video cable that came with your video card - those should work fine and save you a few $$$.

edit: Also remember to set all your software to S/PDIF pass-through.

Element-Xero
11-10-05, 11:44 AM
thanks much :) OCforums once again focuses my vague understandings and confusion to a razor tip :)