Computer to stereo receiver - no sound

[dadrab]

I’m experiencing a rather interesting phenomenon concerning hooking my computer line-out to a stereo receiver.

I have the typical 1/8th inch stereo plug coming from the back of the computer. That line splits into the typical pair of RCA plugs for right and left channels. Most folks will plug those RCA ends into the inputs for a simple computer speaker system (either subwoofer with two/four satellite tweeter/drivers or just a pair of computer speakers).

I figured I could run my line to the auxiliary input of an Onkyo stereo receiver and run some better sounds using the speakers connected to the receiver. It didn’t work. I get no sound at all from the speakers in this configuration.

I finally did get some sound from the system using the “main-in” (main amplifier) jacks on the back of the Onkyo; however, the volume is not controllable at the receiver anymore - only controllable with the volume controls on the keyboard or in the control panel.

And God help me if I turn on the stereo to listen to some vinyl (yeah, there’s a turntable connected). It puts the computer in hibernation mode.

Now, I have been in the habit of making CDs from vinyl by ripping the records onto the hard drive and processing from there using Adobe Audition. For that, I used an old Marantz receiver and Technics turntable. After acquiring the Onkyo, I figured I’d try something different. My old tried-and-true process is obviously not working so well these days.

I’ve played with it a good bit and haven’t had much success. I’m usually pretty damn good with audio electronics, but this one’s putting a whooping on me. Does anyone have a clue as to what might be crossed up?

Thanks in advance.

[redwudz]

The green line out jack on your computer is a normal 1v line out. It should interface with your receiver using a CD or other line in input. Nothing complicated here. If it works with regular powered computer speakers, it should work with your Onkyo amplifier. On the computer, green is usually line out, Blue, line in and Pink, microphone in.

Some motherboards also have coaxial audio or optical audio out. This sends out 5.1 encoded Dolby sound to a compatible surround sound amplifier and speakers. Other motherboards may send out 5.1 sound from the audio out jacks. In that case, you will have more than just the common three audio jacks. You would need to refer to your motherboard manual for information on setting that up.

One other remote possibility is that the 1/8" stereo plug isn't fully seated in the socket. Or you have a bad cable. One easy way to check the cable is to unplug it from the PC and put your finger on the end of it. Make sure the amp is turned down a bit. You should get a hum out of the amplifier speakers.

[dadrab]

Thank you, redwudz. As usual, you're johnny-on-the-spot with some useful information.

I'll check it out when I get home and post back up as to a resolution.

My mobo does have six in/outputs as opposed to the usual three. Back to the manual for me.

[aedipuss]

did you also check in the control panel/sounds and audio devices/volume/advanced that line out is not muted?

[dadrab]

did you also check in the control panel/sounds and audio devices/volume/advanced that line out is not muted?

Good thought, but that's about the first thing I checked.