Logitech Z-5500 + SB1090 + Sager NP8662

Hey all,

I know nothing about audio, but I love music! I've been trying to do research for a few hours, but keep getting confused.

Here's my current setup:

Logitech Z-5500 5.1 speakers (fronts, rears, center, sub)
Soundblaster 1090 USB Card
Sager NP8662 Laptop

I want the best possible audio quality setup...down to drivers and up to cable setup.

Here's the back of the SB1090:


Here's the back of the Logitech control pad:


Here's the cables included between both hardware sets:
(from logitech)

(from soundblaster)

I have no other cables, but am willing to buy whatever is needed.

I will ONLY be running the speakers to the sb1090 and then directly to laptop - no xbox, tv, etc. I have the green/orange/black cable hooked up to the logitech and soundblaster via the Y-Splitter - but I feel like I'm losing some quality by doing that???

How do I get the best sound quality possible?

 

Use a TOSLINK cable to connect the SoundBlaster to the Z-5500's.

 

Would that give me the best sound quality out of all the possible cables?


TOSLINK = digital optical, right?

 

Hands down best quality. Trade off is no 5.1 audio in games or anything that isn't dolby digital / dts. You'll only see pro logic on the z5500 receiver. The exception to this is if you have the option of using dolby digial live, but it's not compatible with that usb sound card IIRC.

I have a sound blaster x fi titanium on my HTPC and use a TOSLINK cable to connect it to my own z5500 and it works great.

 

Quick question - What does the Sound Blaster X-Fi USB SB1090 card really do, apart from adding an optical out to your laptop? I understand it takes the processing away from inside the laptop where it might be affected by circuit noise, but what else does it do that cannot be replicated by software?

I'm considering an upgrade from my Sigmatel sound and am trying to understand this device before buying it.

Thanks in advance.

 

The X-Fi does really nothing if you use the optical out because the sound will be converted in analog by the sound card (DAC) installed in the audio system (Z5500 in this case), and that DAC isn't that great.
If I were you I would stick with the Sigmatel. If you need Dolby and other effects such as DTS, then you should buy the Xonar U1.

 

Thanks TimeWriter. Let me open a new thread, I have a few more questions and don't want to hijack the OP's thread.

 

Good information and good question, helped me lol

 

Why cant you just use the analog plugs that are already on the X-Fi? I own one and have my Z-680 (old version of Z-5500) and it works fine. Optical output will only stereo 99% of the time.

You do realize that the X-Fi has a Stereo/Front speaker output, mic input, and digital sound input/output jacks on the other side of the device that you not have pictured right?

Your regular cables are all you need...

 

Thanks AndroidVageta. I've created a new thread in the Accessories section for this link here