Which is better? An actual graphic equalizer unit? Or one built into the computer's media player program?

Question

For output from a PC to a stereo system, which is better?

Winamp's (or Media Player's, or whatever) graphic equalizer function?

Or a graphic equalizer unit that you can hook to your reciever?

Answer 1

That is really going to depend on the equipment vs. the software. Without more detail on exactly what you have available there is no telling.

Digital is not always better. just know that speakers are an analog device

Answer 2

Your PC will always be theoretically better because the transforms are taking place in software and can be changed/upgraded as necessary.

Your computer will be doing the transforms in the digital domain, while the receiver will probably be doing it in the analog domain.

EDIT - I didn't mean to imply digital is better, only that the domains of transformation are different. Digital equalizers and analog equalizers are two very different processes. Winamp/Media Player are not the only PC apps you can use. There are other apps that will provide more fine-grained equalizers, and your sound card may provide such adjustments at the driver level as well through a control panel.

So in summary, you can definitely make as fine-tuned or finer-tuned adjustments via your PC with the right software. But it's really up to you to determine which you like better. It will most likely be your sound card that is the limited factor here, not the equalizer of either type.