Former professional audio engineer, current computer nerd for hire.Not exactly a Luddite, but generally uninformed, I could use some practical advice for connecting a new Dell desktop PC (not yet arrived) to my stereo system. Unlike in the past, when Dell seemed to encourage the customization of their PCs with various sound cards for higher quality audio than was offered by the default integrated audio, there were no separate sound card options offered this time. So I settled for integrated audio.
1) Is integrated audio good enough? All the new PC comes with is a single output audio jack in the back, and one in the front.
2) Would an inexpensive USB‑to‑optical or USB‑to‑coaxial S/PDIF adapter from the PC into my amplifier’s digital inputs be any better?
3) If I want the ability to play streamed music in MONO using digital connections (for use with a single loudspeaker for outdoor yard work), would I need a more elaborate external USB audio interface?
4) Amplifier has built-in Bluetooth, but I don't use it because I don't know how to get it to play in MONO![:annoyed]( "annoyed")
For context, here's my current set-up, which I'm happy with but would be willing to upgrade if there might be a perceptible audio improvement:
— Using the standard audio jack from a 2014 Dell PC connected to a long RCA patch cord
— To get the needed MONO capability, I run the RCA connections to a 30 year old NAD 1600 tuner with a "MONO" button
— Tuner gets patched to a newer NAD C 388 150 watt-per-channel integrated amplifier with built-in DAC and Bluetooth
— Vast majority of music is streamed on YouTube using the desktop PC
— Speaker A outputs go to my indoor loudspeakers, Speaker B outputs go to a pair of loudspeakers in the basement, with only ONE of them routinely brought outdoors for yard work — and thus the need for MONO operation
Any comments or recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks!
1. For common use cases of consumer listening the sound quality of onboard audio in modern PCs is fine. Usually it’s the many things downstream from the PC which have a more adverse effect on sound quality (bad stereo, bad cables, bad speakers, poor setup).
2. Seems totally unnecessary for consumer listening. If you were doing archiving work or professional A/D conversion, I’d also skip this and get a professional audio interface rather than some unusual USB chained A/D Frankenstein setup.
3. I’m not sure why mono. Most modern recordings are mixed, mastered, engineered to be stereo. By forcing mono, you are intentionally reducing their intended presentation and quality, which is counterproductive to your quest for greater sound quality. If you’re listening to mono recordings, stereo setups reproduce them without additional effort.
4. See 3.
Statistics: Posted by TheWizardInBlack — Wed Dec 03, 2025 2:15 am — Replies 31 — Views 2082