Breathing life back into my audio system

[swazitron]

I am an audio noob and I want good sound from my computer. I currently have Micca MB42X bookshelf speakers connected to a small Lepai LP2020A+ amplifier that I use for my record player. 16 gauge speaker wire connect the speakers to the amp, and RCA cables from the record player connect to the amp. Works great.

However, I want to repurpose the speakers to be used with my new desktop PC, but I want to add a Polk 10" powered subwoofer. My motherboard is an ASUS Z170-Pro (non-Gaming version). How do I get all this stuff connected? Do I need a better amp if the subwoofer is already powered?

My impression is that I would have speakers connected to the Lepai amp using speaker wire, then use an RCA to 3.5mm cable to connect the amp to the lime green 3.5mm port in my motherboard, which is the left and right channel. I would then somehow connect the subwoofer to the motherboard, which I assume is the orange 3.5mm port. Now, to my understanding, subwoofers use a special cable different than that of standard RCA cables(?). I'm assuming I need to somehow get an adapter to hook up the subwoofer to the orange 3.5mm port on the motherboard.

Would this be the most elegant solution? Is the Lepai good enough for the bookshelf speakers I have? I am trying to spend the least amount of money possible. If I have to replace the amp, it needs to be under $60. I'd appreciate any advice or product recommendations.

 

[SkyBill40]

I would think that you could run the 3.5mm from the green on the soundcard/onboard sound through a 3.5mm to RCA adapter back to your little amp's input. The L/R speakers would obviously be powered by the amp; however, the bigger question comes with the sub (the orange). You may be able to do something similar with the sub connection depending on the inputs it has. Does it have RCA, line level speaker wire connections, or both?

 

[swazitron]

I would think that you could run the 3.5mm from the green on the soundcard/onboard sound through a 3.5mm to RCA adapter back to your little amp's input. The L/R speakers would obviously be powered by the amp; however, the bigger question comes with the sub (the orange). You may be able to do something similar with the sub connection depending on the inputs it has. Does it have RCA, line level speaker wire connections, or both?

The subwoofer has both.

 

[jsmithepa]

Do I need a better amp if the subwoofer is already powered?

Short answer is no. The built-in amp is designed for that sub.

I would then somehow connect the subwoofer to the motherboard, which I assume is the orange 3.5mm port. Now

No need to guess, the Mobo's manual tells you exactly which jack is the sub out.

to my understanding, subwoofers use a special cable different than that of standard RCA cables(?). I'm assuming I need to somehow get an adapter to hook up the subwoofer to the orange 3.5mm port on the motherboard.

The Motherboards I've seen, the sub out jack is together with the center channel, so a single 3.5mm stereo jack (stereo=2 sides) gives you sub out on one side, and center out on the other side. So if you use a 3.5mm to RCA Y-cable, one of the RCA plug will go into the sub, consult the manual which of the two plugs. To me, you just need this Y-cable.

Is the Lepai good enough for the bookshelf speakers I have?

You just told us you are happy with this set up. All you are chaining now is the source.

I am trying to spend the least amount of money possible. If I have to replace the amp, it needs to be under $60.

All you need is the self-powered sub and cables if they didn't already come with the Mobo. That's all u need.

 

[swazitron]

Do I need a better amp if the subwoofer is already powered?

Short answer is no. The built-in amp is designed for that sub.

I would then somehow connect the subwoofer to the motherboard, which I assume is the orange 3.5mm port. Now

No need to guess, the Mobo's manual tells you exactly which jack is the sub out.

to my understanding, subwoofers use a special cable different than that of standard RCA cables(?). I'm assuming I need to somehow get an adapter to hook up the subwoofer to the orange 3.5mm port on the motherboard.

The Motherboards I've seen, the sub out jack is together with the center channel, so a single 3.5mm stereo jack (stereo=2 sides) gives you sub out on one side, and center out on the other side. So if you use a 3.5mm to RCA Y-cable, one of the RCA plug will go into the sub, consult the manual which of the two plugs. To me, you just need this Y-cable.

Is the Lepai good enough for the bookshelf speakers I have?

You just told us you are happy with this set up. All you are chaining now is the source.

I am trying to spend the least amount of money possible. If I have to replace the amp, it needs to be under $60.

All you need is the self-powered sub and cables if they didn't already come with the Mobo. That's all u need.

Alright thank you for this response. The one thing that confused me was when you saide that one of the RCA plugs would go to the sub because the other is meant for center (and by the way, my motherboard indeed does combine the sub with the center out). The back of the subwoofer is this photo:

It has line in L and R. So, according to you, I would only plug in one of these? If so, would it be the red or the white? I am confused about what needs to be on the other end of the 3.5mm adapter cable coming out of my computer and where it should plug in to the subwoofer.

Edit:

ok, I dug around and found the manual for the sub and it says this:

PSW10—NOTE: The PSW10 subwoofer does not have an LFE input. Instead, use either theL or R Line input (another hookup option is to use a Y-split cable and connect bothL and R Line inputs). After you make this Sub Out connection, turn the "Low Pass"filter fully clockwise. This will in effect create an LFE input.

So basically, I can use a regular 3.5mm to RCA to plug into either L or R or even both of them and just adjust the low pass filter. That makes things clearer.

Follow-up question, will the fact that the orange port is both a center out and subwoofer port interfere with the sound coming out of the bookshelf speakers? Meaning, will the source send any signals to the subwoofer that should be going to the bookshelf speakers, thinking that there is a center speaker also connected in that port? Is this something that needs to be considered or am I overthinking it/have a flawed understanding of how this works?

 

[jsmithepa]

That's correct, you use a Y-cable to connect the single sub out to L+R on the sub. From the manual that's hookup option 1. (I read the manual too!)

To your followup, you configure your PC sound control panel for No Center, No Surrounds, Fronts: Small, Sub Yes.

If you use option2. Here you configure control panel for: No Center, No Surround (as before), but also No Sub, Fronts LARGE. The Lepal will power everything, which I don't like, but try it, it won't hurt.

PLEASE REFRESH, you are reading as am editing for final reply.

 

[SkyBill40]

So, basically what I suggested. You're welcome.