what stereo cord to use?

Question

Due to the location of my computer, blank wall, projector, and sound system, I'm looking for a stereo cord approx. 50 ft to run audio from my computer to my stero.

It's just got the 1/8 in. jack from the computer sound cord, so it can't be high end optic or anything, but I'm looking for the best option to eliminate interference and get the cleanest sound.
Oh yeah, I've got an 1/8 in. on computer, and stereo inputs (the two, red/white) into my reciever, so I'll either need a cord made for it, or what I've got now with two cords and an adapter.

Is the best option to get a small reciver for around the computer and then run optical to the reciver? or maybe get a sound card with optical output?

I'm looking for several options ranked by quality of sound, thanks!

Answer 1

I've got just the thing...This link explains the rest of my answer...It's how we connect OUR laptop to our stereo at home...Click this link right here: http://www.whydoesmyhometheatersuck.com/budgetcables.html

Now you can find 50-foot "RG6" cable down at LOWES (or HOME DEPOT) even though it wasn't listed on that link...And you'll need 2 lengths of it (plus 4 of those "RCA" adapters-one for EACH end)...One "RG6" for the WHITE and one for the RED on your RECEIVER.

And then you'll need this little adapter to plug into your COMPUTER...It'll turn your RED and WHITE into a "1/8" jack...It's the same site the "RCA" adapters were on...Click right here: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=090-294

I know it's a lot of cables and work, but it offers the BEST sound quality possible.

Answer 2

The red/white connectors are RCA jacks, by far the most common audio connector, and for good reason, very clear sound! Used for every sort of analog input and output, these come in color-coded pairs (usually red for right and black or white for left). Also used for composite-video (coded yellow) and coaxial digital audio cables (coded orange). "Coaxial" means the signal carrier and its shield are aligned along the same axis (generally a signal wire runs down the middle of a shield). First used to connect early electronic record players to radios and still sometimes called "phono jacks."

A simple adapter right from your pc will convert you to RCA. Make sure you get high quality shielded cables, but they don't have to be expensive!

Of course, optical is the high-end. Buy it if you must, but you might test dirve this at a showroom first to see if you can tell any improvement over RCA. You might find RCA is just fine.

Answer 3

I don't know anything about optical cable, I've never used except for very short distances on my home stereo. Optical cable might be your best route.

But I do know enough about non-optical audio cables to know that there's only two audio cables you should run that long, speaker cable & microphone cable. You shouldn't run RCA cable 20 feet or longer, that's why you don't see it for sale at Guitar Center in lengths longer than 6 meters.

It'll take awhile to find the adapters needed to go from 1/8 stereo mini plug to XLR & from XLR to RCA. Since microphone cable has a female XLR jack on one end & a male XLR jack on the other end. Plus the adapters should be the highest quality you can get since you are running such a long distance.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/

If it was me I would just go to Guitar Center & tell them you need a two 50 foot microphone cables & the adapters to connect them from your computer to your stereo.

Answer 4

you're going to get better sound quality out of the optical cables, preferably the double sheilded kind used in music studios. going from connector to connector is going to have freq. interference or static also.