How to connect the amplifier to your computer

The technique of the previous generation usually had a configuration consisting of a turntable, a tape recorder and an amplifier with speakers. In each passport, which was attached to the audio equipment of that period, there was a clear diagram-drawing, which indicated the sequence of connection of the amplifier and Columns.

How to connect the amplifier to a computer? Yes, it's easier than that! After all, any CD-ROM of past years has a line-out for connecting a power amplifier in order to play CDs.

Now the question of how to connect the amplifier, we will consider a little in another aspect (because in all modern computers, from stationary PCs to laptops, the audio device has at least a two-channel stereo output, with the same standard level and line-out impedance).

The peculiarity of computer audio, which is practically inaccessible in amateur analogue systems of the past, is that an inexpensive sound card is able to synthesize even quadraphonic effects, reverberation, etc. by software. It is for this reason that computer sound cards have up to seven output channels.

To answer the question of how to properly connect an amplifier, and also be able to use all the features of a sound card, you need to determine how many outputs it has.

The simplest case is two channels. This is a normal stereo, and here comes a simple stereo amplifier with speakers. If you have a four-channel sound card, then you can use two stereo amplifiers to get a quadraphonic effect. Five outputs - this is the possibility of connecting a subwoofer.

Usually they are active, that is, with built-in power amplifiers. Subwoofers are enough alone, because the human hearing does not distinguish between the direction of the source of the bass, the stereo effect loses its meaning.

So, your sound card has, say, five outputs. You can bravely acquire acoustics 5.1, which means that you will be given out equipment consisting of six subjects: five speakers and a subwoofer. Now close to you the question arises, how to connect the amplifier to the computer.

From each column a wire with a plug goes. And on the back wall of the subwoofer there are outputs for them - just five pieces. If you purchase an acoustic system 4.1, then the subwoofer, accordingly, will have only 4 outputs for the plugs, and only four will be issued by the seller.

The order of the connection does not matter, that is, any column can be connected to any output. But the input wire should be carefully considered. At the subwoofer in the same place on the back wall there are two inputs of different colors, usually red and white. A subwoofer wire has one plug at one end, and two on the other. And one of them is red, and the other is white. Here you can not make a mistake: connect the red plug to the red input, and white to the white one.

Now, before those who do not know how to connect the amplifier, the question arises of the correct definition of the subwoofer channel on the computer. After all, it is into it that you need to insert the plug, which is wound the wire from the other end! You can find this channel by using the instruction manual for the "smart machine". But most often in modern computers this input is located on the front side of the system unit.

Remained the smallest thing - to arrange the remaining columns in the corners of the room, hiding the wires. How best to do this, will prompt practice and your own taste. But the best effect is the symmetrical equilateral installation of devices.

Modern audio systems are usually designed for direct connection of active speakers, each of which is provided with its own power source, to the outputs of the computer's sound card.

The sound is completely regulated by the sound card driver software, built-in operating system controls and, for quick and convenient adjustment, from the audio player program, for example, WinAmp.