Expert: Cleggsan - 8/25/2011

Question
Hi! If listening music from a computer that is plugged to an amplifier with 2 speakers, how much does the computers soundcard affect to the final sound? Which component (amp, speakers or computer) is the most important when trying to achieve a good sound quality? If the sound coming from the computers soundcard is not so good, can a good amplifier and a set of speakers improve the sound quality radically or just little? Thanks in advance.

Answer
Sound cards are nearly always the lowest performer when compared with good quality audio amplifiers and speaker systems.  The sound quality will be as good as the weakest link.

The problem with computer sound is mostly you are listening to compressed music signals such as MP3 or other compressed formats.  If you are listening to good quality cd sounds or other non-compressed music source then you will get good audio sound quality.

The best amplifier and speaker solutions cannot improve on the sound quality of an inferior sound card.  Not all cards are the same and some sound much better than others but as a general rule sound cards are not thought of as being "high fidelity" by audiophile experts.

All that being said, there are many PC level 2.1 sound systems that are really poor sound quality and have been designed around mediocre performance of the typical sound card.  PC sound quality is not thought of as "high fidelity" unless well chosen card, amplifier and speakers are selected.

All the best.