Quiet output to hi-fi...

[Malthus101]

Hello

 

I have a Dell PC with Soundblaster Live! Value (WDM) soundcard.

 

I also have a new laptop running Vista.

 

I am using a Sony amplifier with bookshelf speakers attached for audio output. The same song, when played from the laptop, is at a good loud volume when the attenuator (volume) is turned up about a quarter of the way.

 

When plugged in to the SB Live! card on the PC, the attenuator has to be turned up full to get the same volume. I have checked all the volume levels are at full on the PC and on the iTunes software playing the music. I have gone into the settings of the card and can see nothing wrong.

 

Anyone got any ideas?

 

Thanks very much

 

Malthus101

[Dalo Harkin]

are you playing the music through WMP 11? sounds daft but is that turned up and have you set the options within the control panel under sounds and checked they are at maximum - and that the connectors are in the right sockets on the back

[Malthus101]

Hi Dalo

 

I have just unplugged the cable to try it in the front audio output of the PC and when I plugged it back into the sound card the volume is now fine so I am guessing it just wasn't plugged in all the way before!

 

However, there is a new problem! When plugged into the front audio port or the one at the back on the soundcard, there is bass distortion coming out of the right channel only, a sort of 'putt putt' kind of noise on the very heavy bass bits of a heavy metal song (good for testing!)

 

When I play the exact same song from iTunes on my laptop, the playback is totally clean (all at the same bitrate etc)

 

A different but new problem! Any ideas?

 

 

PS - am I right in assuming that the audio socket on the front of the PC connects to the motherboard sound output whereas the one on the back is the card? Or does the one on the front take the audio from the sound card as well?

 

Thanks a lot

 

Malthus101

[Dalo Harkin]

PS - am I right in assuming that the audio socket on the front of the PC connects to the motherboard sound output whereas the one on the back is the card? Or does the one on the front take the audio from the sound card as well?Malthus101

 

It depends if the Sound card was installed by Dell or someone else - if it was by Dell the chances are they plugged it into the Sound card - anyone else would most likely plug it into the MOBO - the soundcard will be far better than the onboard sound of the MOBO - if you are getting static in one of the speakers its just the connection - make sure that they are all connected properly and snug - they normally sound like what you describe when they are slightly loose.