Is a soundcard going to help?

Sinialtstar

Hi all

At the moment I am currently streaming mp'3's and internet radio from my PC to a Sony HiFI System (MCH-S3) via it's optical input connected to a Bluetooth receiver

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07G16D4K5/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And while generally it's great. I have to have the volume on Windows 10 taken all the way to 100% so that the Sony can pick anything up at a decent level. This is not really a problem - but I wondered if another transmitter - connected say to the optical out via a soundcard would improve things - give it a bit more ooomph so to speak.

I've tried all the settings in Windows (deselecting absolute control, drivers etc). Windows sees this device as Bluetooth headphones.

Thanks in advance

EndlessWaves

It's all digital so there's no oomph involved, it'll be a protocol issue rather than anything to do with power levels. Although I don't know enough about the systems involved to offer likely candidates.

Does your PC have a S/PDIF output already? You could try connecting it directly to the Hi-Fi and see whether that produces the same result. If that's fine you know it's a bluetooth issue.

Sinialtstar

Hi, no it doesn't unfortunately I just use a bluetooth dongle via usb to transmit
That's why I wondered if a soundcard with Optical out connected to another transmitter (laying cables across the room is not really a option) will improve things.

EndlessWaves

What about if you use the 3.5mm outputs from your current receiver? Same problem?

If you're using a third party bluetooth dongle did you install software that comes with it or are you using the built in Windows bluetooth support?

Sinialtstar

Thanks I will try the 3.5mm output. I'm sure I did install the software but I will re-check.

If these don't result in better performance I may just leave it at that - as it's not to much of an issue.

I read somewhere that Blutooth is compressed. So I was wondering if a Google Chromecast using the WIFI would be a better option?

next010

Try Airfoil instead of the Windows audio system and see if it does anything different.

If not then it's likely the BT box you have plugged into the device, Arifoil can stream any PC audio source to BT reciever, Airplay devices and Google Chromecasts if you can connect any one of those to the sound system.

Ideally a second hand Apple Airport Express would be best, it has a 3.5mm audio jack that doubles as analogue audio out and digital optical out via 3.5mm spdif cable.

Sinialtstar

Hi all
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you all.
I decided to try a Google Chromecast Audio in the end. and all though its a bit limited in what you can stream from i.e  Google Chrome, and VLC  (I'd really like to use winamp (because I like it)) (I know there are apps to get Windows 10 casting but for now I struggled to get it to work (but it does not really matter for now)... Anyway It seems to work ok in the sense I don't have to have the HIFI volume turned all the way up to get a decent sound and the sound quality seems better.

Although the set up was not as straight forward as it should be. I needed to update the firmware so I could get it streaming from a Ethernet PC. and for some reason I didn't get the "setup complete" sound that you are supposed to get when setting it up for the 1st time. I got no sound out of it (through my HIFI) for the 1st 30 min and then all of a sudden it started working - heyho!


Edit: I have not tried Airfoil with it yet - I will look into it.