How to connect HiFi Speakers to PC

[sriharsha_m]

Hi all,

I stay at hostel and I'll be home this summer for 2 months. I thought of disposing some unused components of my PC and also make use of a pair of unused HiFi speakers lying at home.

Coming to the specs, My Desktop is a E8400+ Intel DP35DP based and I use Asus Xonar DX with my Altec Lansing VS3251R 5.1 Speakers. Unfortunately the speakers are hardly used as my parents complain about the nuisance every time I switch them on. So me and my brother we got used to headphones 90% of the time. I thought of selling off my 5.1 speakers and go for a basic two channel speakers as we would be using Headphones mostly.

Right now I have two other options,

1. I have a Sony MHC-RV22 HiFi system, which is hardly used, So I thought of using it with my pc via Auxiliary input. But the only worry is it adds more clutter to my desktop and not to mention the unnecessary power load of the HiFi.
   
2. I have another pair of Aiwa Micro HiFi speakers, the HiFi system was fried in a short circuit accident, but the speakers are working, and they are comparatively small. So is there anyway I can use them with my PC. Do I need an amplifier again?? I think Xonar DG has a headphone amp, so is it enough to drive those mini speakers??
   

 

[puneetritehere]

for such speakers, you will definitely need an amp. i am not sure if the headphone amp is gonna do you any good.. you also have to check the impedance ratings .. i am sure the impedance rating on your hifi speakers must be much lower than headphones.. they might even fry the headphone amp..

 

[Gryph0n]

I think Xonar DG has a headphone amp, so is it enough to drive those mini speakers??

No way on earth. The output power of soundcards are in terms of milliwatts, while speakers need in order of 10's of watts.

Besides, as puneetritehere has mentioned, you also run the risk of frying the soundcard's amp with a heavy load like 'bare' speakers.

 

[sriharsha_m]

Thanks for the replies guys, can you please suggest a basic amp that I can use with my Aiwa Mini HiFI Speakers??

 

[Gryph0n]

Thanks for the replies guys, can you please suggest a basic amp that I can use with my Aiwa Mini HiFI Speakers??

If your speakers are sensitive, and have a higher impedance (8 ohms), then the Topping TP20 (~5k) is good VFM. Otherwise, a Norge amp (~10k) would suffice. The Norge amp has higher output power than the TP20, so they'll pair easily with a lot more speakers than the TP20.