Solved How to use my digital speakers with an analog out PC

[theweav]

Hi Everyone

I have just purchased a Dell 660 Series desktop PC. It has analog output to speakers. According to Dell, there is no way to configure this PC to send a digital signal to my 2.1 speaker system. My speakers are Boston Acoustics BA735. They are Digital only and use the old coaxial connection. Dell recommended an analog to digital converter. My question: Will this deliver a clean digital sound or would a sound card with a digital output be better?

Thanks for your guidance.

 

[archer]

Hi, Welcome to Sevenforums.

You will need something like this.

 

[fireberd]

The old Gateway BA 735's are not compatible with modern day digital audio systems (S/PDIF). I've been through this with many users in the past, on the Dell forums, that have bought new PC's and still have the old Gateway supplied BA speakers. You will just have to buy new speakers.

 

[theweav]

Ouch.

Thanks
Ron

 

[fireberd]

Those speakers are probably at least 10 years old. You got good use out of them.

I have some BA745 speakers that are standard analog. Still working OK. Got them with a Gateway PC in 2002.

 

[theweav]

They are currently working on my Gateway 506GR, about 8 years old, through an Audigy 2ZS card. This PCI card won't fit in my new Dell. Why would they not work with a new PCI E sound card? Are the new cards delivering a different digital output?

 

[fireberd]

Yes, the current "standard" is S/PDIF digital audio with either a "coax" RCA type jack connection or a "TOS" (optical) link. A new 2.1 speaker system will cost less than a new SoundBlaster sound card.

I've seen many posts from users with the old Gateway digital standard interface speakers and to my knowledge NONE have been able to adapt the speakers to the current digital standard interfaces. Gateway was the only one that used this digital interface.

 

[theweav]

Ok. Thanks much for your reply.

 

[theweav]

Hi If anyone is following this thread, I thought you might like to know, my Boston Acoustic BA 735's are alive and well.
All I needed was an analog to digital converter. It has left and right analog RCA inputs and a digital audio coaxial output. I bought it through Amazon for $17.99. You will need to run a cable from your analog speaker output (3.5 stereo mini)to the input of the converter (Left and right RCA's) and a digital audio coaxial cable from the converter output to the input of your BA 735's. I hope this helps someone.

Cheers

 

[Hart5000]

Gateway Boston Acustics speakers

I have the old Boston BA7500 digital speakers and we could never get them to work on this Gateway computer. They are very good speakers with terriffic sound.
Recently bought a new sound card, they still wont work.
Years ago when I tried this they just told me digital & analog wont mix, cant do it !!!
I called Gateway & Boston acustics.
So you are talking about a digital converter, will that work???

 

[theweav]

Hart5000,

This is what I used: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005F20756/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just hook it up to your ANALOG speaker output.

Good luck.