Hi guys,
I am thinking about buying a pair of 8330 to use them with a PC under Windows 7 / 10.
But before going any further I have a few concerns about interoperability, specially regarding OS capacity to recognize and handle the device, and choice of a physical connexion between the PC and the speakers (XLR AES/EBU).
The choice of a physical connection has been treated before in different posts :
https://www.community.genelec.com/forum/-/message_boards/message/915439
https://www.community.genelec.com/forum/-/message_boards/message/903247
But my concerns are a little different.
So my questions are :
- Is there a difference in audio quality (latency, jitter, …) between TOSLINK, SPDIF and USB to XLR AES/EBU ?
- Is there a difference in functionality and reliability between TOSLINK, SPDIF and USB : will I be able to use the speakers in the same way with those different types of connexion, will the speakers be recognized seamlessly for music, movies, gaming and system sounds ?
I am used to control audio devices through the Realtek Control Panel. Currently this panel only offers analog audio jack and TOSLINK options. Will it work with SPDIF coaxial or USB ?
- I have identified different connexion solutions, will they work the same regarding sound quality and functionalities / reliability :
+ MoBo SPDIF header to SPDIF coaxial to XLR AES/EBU (the cheapest way) :
http://www.frontx.com/cpx106_2.html
https://www.thomann.de/gb/pro_snake_aes_ebu_spdif_cable_male_3.htm?ref=intl&shp=eyJjb3VudHJ5IjoiZ2IiLCJjdXJyZW5jeSI6IjIiLCJsYW5ndWFnZSI6ImVuIn0%3D
+ TOSLINK to XLR AES/EBU
http://hosatech.com/product/odl-312/
+ USB to XLR AES/EBU (the mainstream solutions)
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/appareils-hifi-interfaces-digitales/xmos-digital-interface-usb-24192khz-power-supply-230v-p-10547.html
or
https://www.thomann.de/gb/audiowerkzeug_digi.htm?ref=intl&shp=eyJjb3VudHJ5IjoiZ2IiLCJjdXJyZW5jeSI6IjIiLCJsYW5ndWFnZSI6ImVuIn0%3D
or
https://www.thomann.de/gb/mutec_mc_11_2.htm?ref=intl&shp=eyJjb3VudHJ5IjoiZ2IiLCJjdXJyZW5jeSI6IjIiLCJsYW5ndWFnZSI6ImVuIn0%3D
Actually there are a lot of different solutions in this category. What difference does it make to go from 150 € to really stupid prices ?
There seems to be other solutions so I am open to any suggestion.
Thanks for your attention.
Dan