Editing Introduction to a Self Managed Life: a 13 hour & 28 minute presentation by FUTO software (section)

==== 2.5 Basic purchase considerations ====

We will go into this in greater detail later: for now, let’s go over the basics.

If your computer is far away from the receiver or amplifier, you should really consider using an optical cable to connect your computer to the audio source to avoid hiss, distortion, hum, and horrible audio. Even high quality analog audio cables suck when they are unbalanced over long distances; no laptop or standard desktop computer uses balanced output. However, even the cheapest of spdif optical cables will be fine even at 50 ft with audio signals. Digital audio signals are far lower in bandwidth so there is no real worry about degradation at any practical household length of cable.

On the low end, I would suggest a used stereo receiver that has optical audio input from a reputable brand. These can be found on [https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fsrp=1&_from=R40&Audio%2520Inputs=Digital%2520Optical%2520TOSLINK&Number%2520of%2520Channels=2%7C2%252E1&_nkw=stereo+receiver&_sacat=0&Audio%2520Outputs=Digital%2520Optical%2520TOSLINK%7CDigital%2520Coaxial%2520RCA&LH_BIN=1&rt=nc&Type=Stereo%2520Receiver%7CIntegrated%2520Amplifier&_dcat=14981 eBay by searching with the following filters]:

* '''Number of channels''':
** '''2.1''' if you want to attach a subwoofer later
** '''2''' if you don’t care.
* '''Type''': '''Stereo Receiver''' and '''Integrated Amplifier'''
** This will provide you with volume control, ability to utilize multiple sources, and an amplifier for your speakers.
** I don’t bother with surround sound.
*** Two good speakers will always beat 6 crappy speakers.
*** For any given price point, you get a higher budget when buying two speakers than you do buying six.
* '''Audio Inputs''': '''Digital Optical TOSLINK'''.
** This means the receiver has a '''DAC''' ''(digital to analog converter)''. This turns the 1s &amp; 0s that make up the audio files on your computer into an analog signal.
** The one in your receiver usually does a better job. I’m not talking about audiophile nonsense, just basic competence.
** On lower quality PC motherboards you can literally hear hiss that changes when you do CPU intensive things on your machine when using sensitive stereo equipment or headphones.
* '''Buying Format''': Buy it now.
** Bidding wars on eBay are fun &amp; dopamine releasing. They’re exciting. When people win, they feel like they’ve won until they realize they’ve paid 30% over the used-market-value of what they purchased.
** If buying from auctions on eBay, consider using an '''auction sniper''' like [https://www.gixen.com/main/index.php Gixen.com]. Auction snipers are programs where you input what you wish to pay for something, and it submits your bid seconds before the auction ends. This way, you don’t get caught up in a bidding war. If you bid too early, it allows others the chance to increase their bid as well, which drives up the price.
** Using an auction sniper removes the emotional aspect from auctions that drives up prices, and encourages price-discipline in setting the max you are willing to pay for the item ''early on.''

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