Just want to share some of my discoveries here.
Background:
I was contemplating connecting the amplifier (Outlaw 5000x) directly to either a USB DAC or internal PC sound card, in order to get rid of the problematic (and arguably low performing) Denon AVR. My concern was the low sensitivity input of the Outlaw (1.2v) compared to the common 2 volt (or so) of the 3.5mm output jack from an ordinary computer/sound card.
Setup:
Amp: Outlaw 5000x
Speakers: Klipsch RP-280F
Cable: A cheap 3.5mm to dual male RCA.
External USB DAC: Fiio E17K
Computer: A standard Dell office laptop
Note: I am only increasing the volume until it is “loud”, but not more in order to protect the speakers/amp.
Result:
USB DAC:
+ No hum (or what I could tell)
- At volume “34”, Windows could go max ~60%
Laptop 3.5mm headphone output jack:
- Hum
- Volume could go max 28%
Conclusion:
The standard 3.5mm output voltage is far too strong for the amp. 50% volume in Windows could potentially blow the speakers. Due to Windows unreliability with suddenly maxing the volume some times (e.g. some apps will automatically max the volume when switched to), an internal sound card directly connected to the amp could be far too dangerous. You need an USB DAC with its own volume control between the computer and the amp as a safety control.
Positive is that the amp sounded really good connected to the USB DAC. I wish Outlaw would have had included some kind of gain control built into the amplifier so that we could have safely connected it directly to USB DACs/Sound cards in case we want to use it without AVRs.
Background:
I was contemplating connecting the amplifier (Outlaw 5000x) directly to either a USB DAC or internal PC sound card, in order to get rid of the problematic (and arguably low performing) Denon AVR. My concern was the low sensitivity input of the Outlaw (1.2v) compared to the common 2 volt (or so) of the 3.5mm output jack from an ordinary computer/sound card.
Setup:
Amp: Outlaw 5000x
Speakers: Klipsch RP-280F
Cable: A cheap 3.5mm to dual male RCA.
External USB DAC: Fiio E17K
Computer: A standard Dell office laptop
Note: I am only increasing the volume until it is “loud”, but not more in order to protect the speakers/amp.
Result:
USB DAC:
+ No hum (or what I could tell)
- At volume “34”, Windows could go max ~60%
Laptop 3.5mm headphone output jack:
- Hum
- Volume could go max 28%
Conclusion:
The standard 3.5mm output voltage is far too strong for the amp. 50% volume in Windows could potentially blow the speakers. Due to Windows unreliability with suddenly maxing the volume some times (e.g. some apps will automatically max the volume when switched to), an internal sound card directly connected to the amp could be far too dangerous. You need an USB DAC with its own volume control between the computer and the amp as a safety control.
Positive is that the amp sounded really good connected to the USB DAC. I wish Outlaw would have had included some kind of gain control built into the amplifier so that we could have safely connected it directly to USB DACs/Sound cards in case we want to use it without AVRs.