Connecting Enermax front panel audio to Asus A7V600-X

[forumposter32]

Well, I’m just gonna throw that out there because there may or may not
be someone on this site who knows this. Anyway, the ends of the cable
say this:

GND
MIC VCC
MIC DATA
EAR R (two of them)
EAR L (two of them)

On the motherboard, the manual says I have on the front panel audio:

MC2
MCPPWR
Line out R
NC
Line out L
AGND
+5VA
BLINE OUT R
BLINE OUT L

I’m not sure right now how to match those. LOL, I’m glad it’s not
crucial to my system.

BTW, I just ordered an Enermax noisetaker power supply. Does anyone
know if that power supply will be incompatible with my mobo?
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1419089&CatId=106
(That’s in Canadian dollars.)

 

[Paul]

Well, I’m just gonna throw that out there because there may or may not
be someone on this site who knows this. Anyway, the ends of the cable
say this:

GND
MIC VCC
MIC DATA
EAR R (two of them)
EAR L (two of them)

On the motherboard, the manual says I have on the front panel audio:

MC2
MCPPWR
Line out R
NC
Line out L
AGND
+5VA
BLINE OUT R
BLINE OUT L

I’m not sure right now how to match those. LOL, I’m glad it’s not
crucial to my system.

BTW, I just ordered an Enermax noisetaker power supply. Does anyone
know if that power supply will be incompatible with my mobo?
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1419089&CatId=106
(That’s in Canadian dollars.)

The only thing questionable about the supply, is whether the retaining
latch of the 20 pin part, of the "20+4P" connector scheme, will latch
to your board. Latching securely is important, to prevent damage to
the connector if the connectors become slightly loose and ohmic.
Connectors can "walk apart" through thermal cycling, unless a latch
is there to secure them. A working latch is just good insurance.
Otherwise, the supply looks OK.

http://www.enermax.com.tw/upload/clgcable0217.jpg
http://www.enermax.com.tw/products_page.php?Tid=1&gon=265&Gid=18&Gid2=46

Here is your wiring:

MIC_DATA         MIC2  x   x  AGND         GND
MIC_VCC       MICPWR  x   x  +5VA
EAR_R Line Out_R  x   x  BLINE_OUT_R EAR_R
                  NC  x
EAR_L Line Out_L  x   x  BLINE_OUT_L EAR_L

Based on the wiring type of your front panel wiring,
the rear Lineout connector will not be muted when you
plug in headphones. Both the rear amplified speakers
plugged into the Lineout connector, and the headphones,
will be working at the same time.

Paul

 

[Paul]

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1419089&CatId=106

The only thing questionable about the supply, is whether the retaining
latch of the 20 pin part, of the "20+4P" connector scheme, will latch
to your board. Latching securely is important, to prevent damage to
the connector if the connectors become slightly loose and ohmic.
Connectors can "walk apart" through thermal cycling, unless a latch
is there to secure them. A working latch is just good insurance.
Otherwise, the supply looks OK.

http://www.enermax.com.tw/upload/clgcable0217.jpg
http://www.enermax.com.tw/products_page.php?Tid=1&gon=265&Gid=18&Gid2=46

Here is your wiring:

MIC_DATA         MIC2  x   x  AGND         GND
MIC_VCC       MICPWR  x   x  +5VA
EAR_R Line Out_R  x   x  BLINE_OUT_R EAR_R
                  NC  x
EAR_L Line Out_L  x   x  BLINE_OUT_L EAR_L

Based on the wiring type of your front panel wiring,
the rear Lineout connector will not be muted when you
plug in headphones. Both the rear amplified speakers
plugged into the Lineout connector, and the headphones,
will be working at the same time.

Paul

On closer inspection of the Tigerdirect info and the Enermax info

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1419089&CatId=106
http://www.enermax.com.tw/products_page.php?Tid=1&gon=265&Gid=18&Gid2=46

I wonder if I have the right Enermax part ? The Tigerdirect table
of power ratings shows no split +12V output, and Tigerdirect says
the power supply has a -5V output. The Enermax table shows the
output doesn't have -5V, and there are two 12V outputs (one for
processor, and one for disk drives and the rest of the motherboard).

While the missing -5V is normally not a problem, I seem to remember
some accessory device used -5V. Possibly some brand of motherboard
has a dependence on -5V, but I cannot track down where I saw a
reference to that.

Paul

 

[forumposter32]

(e-mail address removed)

 > > Well, I’m just gonna throw that out there because
there may or may not
 > > be someone on this site who knows this. Anyway, the
ends of the cable
 > > say this:
 > >
 > > GND
 > > MIC VCC
 > > MIC DATA
 > > EAR R (two of them)
 > > EAR L (two of them)
 > >
 > > On the motherboard, the manual says I have on the
front panel audio:
 > >
 > > MC2
 > > MCPPWR
 > > Line out R
 > > NC
 > > Line out L
 > > AGND
 > > +5VA
 > > BLINE OUT R
 > > BLINE OUT L
 > >
 > > I’m not sure right now how to match those. LOL, I’m
glad it’s not
 > > crucial to my system.
 > >
 > > BTW, I just ordered an Enermax noisetaker power
supply. Does anyone
 > > know if that power supply will be incompatible with
my mobo?
 > >
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1419089&CatId=106
 > > (That’s in Canadian dollars.)

On closer inspection of the Tigerdirect info and the Enermax
info

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1419089&CatId=106
http://www.enermax.com.tw/products_page.php?Tid=1&gon=265&Gid=18&Gid2=46

I wonder if I have the right Enermax part ? The Tigerdirect
table
of power ratings shows no split +12V output, and Tigerdirect
says
the power supply has a -5V output. The Enermax table shows the
output doesn't have -5V, and there are two 12V outputs (one
for
processor, and one for disk drives and the rest of the
motherboard).

While the missing -5V is normally not a problem, I seem to
remember
some accessory device used -5V. Possibly some brand of
motherboard
has a dependence on -5V, but I cannot track down where I saw a
reference to that.

Paul

Thanks, I’m glad I ordered a pair of speakers that allow me to hook up
the headphones to the speakers and mutes them.

Well, I’m curious since I have two EAR_R and EAR_L, do I put the black
ones on the BLINE_OUT or the colored ones?

 

[Paul]

Thanks, I’m glad I ordered a pair of speakers that allow me to hook up
the headphones to the speakers and mutes them.

Well, I’m curious since I have two EAR_R and EAR_L, do I put the black
ones on the BLINE_OUT or the colored ones?

One style I've seen, looks like this:

Front_Panel_Assembly -------- wire-----EAR_L ------ EAR_L

In this case, the two EAR_L are shorted together. In that case,
it doesn't matter which one goes on which left channel pin.
Such an assembly does not support rear speaker muting when
headphones are plugged into the front.

If the two EAR wires on a channel are separated wires,
then one is an input (like the Line_out_R)
and one wire is an output (like BLINE_OUT_R).
But, if you had this style of hardware, the EAR
wires would have an IN and OUT specified. If they
are labelled with exactly the same thing, then
they must be the same signal.
                                               -------------
                                               |           |
                                     ----------|   Sound   |
                                     |         |   Chip    |
                                     |   ------|           |
                                     |   |     |           |
                                     |   |     |           |
    Case Front Audio                 |   |     -------------
    ("Interrupting" Type Jack)       |   |
                                     |   |
    -------- 1     AGND        (in)  |   |             Green Lineout (Back)
    |   ______ 2   Line_out_R <------    |
 - -|  /  ^                     (out)    |         AGND --------->+ (SLEEVE)
 |  |     |--- 3   BLINE_OUT_R ---->---  |  ------------------->+ (RING)
 |  |                                    |                        
 |  |      |--- 4  BLINE_OUT_L ---->---  |  ----------------->+ (TIP)
 |  |      v                             |
 - -|    \_____ 5  Line_out_L <----------

How muting works in the above diagram, is when headphones are
plugged into the left hand jack, the 2-3 and 4-5 contacts go
open circuit. That breaks the audio connection to the green
Lineout connector on the back of the computer. In your case,
your front panel wiring is more likely to look like this:

                                               -------------
                                               |           |
                                     ----------|   Sound   |
                                     |         |   Chip    |
                                     |   ------|           |
                                     |   |     |           |
                                     |   |     |           |
    Case Front Audio                 |   |     -------------
    ("Non-Interrupting" Type Jack)   |   |
                                     |   |
    -------- 1     AGND        EAR_R |   |             Green Lineout (Back)
    |   ______ 2   Right <-----+----    |
 - -|  /                       | EAR_R  |         AGND --------->+ (SLEEVE)
 |  |     +------  |  ------------------->+ (RING)
 |  |                             EAR_L  |                        
 |  |       +------  |  ----------------->+ (TIP)
 |  |                          | EAR_L  |
 - -|    \_____ 5  Left <-----+--------

In the above figure, it doesn't matter with EAR_R goes to which
pin, as they are shorted together at the case front assembly.
There is no muting function, because there are no contacts on
the jack that get opened when the headphones are plugged in.

HTH,
Paul

 

[Fred Aspect]

One style I've seen, looks like this:

Front_Panel_Assembly -------- wire-----EAR_L ------ EAR_L

In this case, the two EAR_L are shorted together. In that case,
it doesn't matter which one goes on which left channel pin.
Such an assembly does not support rear speaker muting when
headphones are plugged into the front.

If the two EAR wires on a channel are separated wires,
then one is an input (like the Line_out_R)
and one wire is an output (like BLINE_OUT_R).
But, if you had this style of hardware, the EAR
wires would have an IN and OUT specified. If they
are labelled with exactly the same thing, then
they must be the same signal.
-------------
| |
----------| Sound |
| | Chip |
| ------| |
| | | |
| | | |
Case Front Audio | | -------------
("Interrupting" Type Jack) | |
| |
-------- 1 AGND (in) | | Green Lineout (Back)
| ______ 2 Line_out_R <------ |
- -| / ^ (out) | AGND --------->+ (SLEEVE)
| | |--- 3 BLINE_OUT_R ---->--- | ------------------->+ (RING)
| | |
| | |--- 4 BLINE_OUT_L ---->--- | ----------------->+ (TIP)
| | v |
- -| \_____ 5 Line_out_L <----------

How muting works in the above diagram, is when headphones are
plugged into the left hand jack, the 2-3 and 4-5 contacts go
open circuit. That breaks the audio connection to the green
Lineout connector on the back of the computer. In your case,
your front panel wiring is more likely to look like this:

-------------
| |
----------| Sound |
| | Chip |
| ------| |
| | | |
| | | |
Case Front Audio | | -------------
("Non-Interrupting" Type Jack) | |
| |
-------- 1 AGND EAR_R | | Green Lineout (Back)
| ______ 2 Right <-----+---- |
- -| / | EAR_R | AGND --------->+ (SLEEVE)
| | +------ | ------------------->+ (RING)
| | EAR_L |
| | +------ | ----------------->+ (TIP)
| | | EAR_L |
- -| \_____ 5 Left <-----+--------

In the above figure, it doesn't matter with EAR_R goes to which
pin, as they are shorted together at the case front assembly.
There is no muting function, because there are no contacts on
the jack that get opened when the headphones are plugged in.

HTH,
Paul

Thanks Paul. That's a lot of good info. So in the latter situation (ie
front panel lacks muting functionality), is there any loading issue
when, say, I wish to use listen to music on my headphones whilst
speakers are plugged in to the rear connection (but not turned on)?
Basically, I did not hook up my front connection because I was worried
about loading issues when operating earphones and speakers in parallel.

Thanks,

Fred.

 

[Paul]

Thanks Paul. That's a lot of good info. So in the latter situation (ie
front panel lacks muting functionality), is there any loading issue
when, say, I wish to use listen to music on my headphones whilst
speakers are plugged in to the rear connection (but not turned on)?
Basically, I did not hook up my front connection because I was worried
about loading issues when operating earphones and speakers in parallel.

Thanks,

Fred.

Computer headphones are supposed to be in the vicinity of 32 ohms
load. I have seen a sound chip with 32 ohm output drive and
also one with 20 ohm output drive.

This page shows some sample amplified computer speakers. Input
impedance is listed as 5K or 10K ohms.

http://laxsales.com/JBL/Computer/Computer.htm

To compute total load, when two devices are in parallel,
a handy formula is R1*R2/(R1+R2). If we put two 32 ohm
sets of headphones in parallel, 32*32/(32+32) =32*32/64 =16.
If we put headphones and computer speakers in parallel, then
it is 32*5000/(32+5000) = 31.8 ohms, which is hardly
any change at all. Compared to the headphones, amplified
computer speakers are no load at all. So, it is safe to run
computer speakers and headphones at the same time. With
two sets of headphones, the result is lowered output sound
level from both headphones.

Note that, on a typical older 5.1 computer sound chip, the
main stereo output channels have 32 ohm drive, intended to
run headphones from the chip when it is set to two channel
(stereo) mode. The other four channels, (surrounds, center,
and sub), tend to be 600 ohm output impedance, which is a
lot weaker. The 600 ohms works fine with the 5K or 10K of
the amplified computer speakers, but won't be a good match
for 32 ohm headphones.

HTH,
Paul

 

[Fred Aspect]

Computer headphones are supposed to be in the vicinity of 32 ohms
load. I have seen a sound chip with 32 ohm output drive and
also one with 20 ohm output drive.

This page shows some sample amplified computer speakers. Input
impedance is listed as 5K or 10K ohms.

http://laxsales.com/JBL/Computer/Computer.htm

To compute total load, when two devices are in parallel,
a handy formula is R1*R2/(R1+R2). If we put two 32 ohm
sets of headphones in parallel, 32*32/(32+32) =32*32/64 =16.
If we put headphones and computer speakers in parallel, then
it is 32*5000/(32+5000) = 31.8 ohms, which is hardly
any change at all. Compared to the headphones, amplified
computer speakers are no load at all. So, it is safe to run
computer speakers and headphones at the same time. With
two sets of headphones, the result is lowered output sound
level from both headphones.

Note that, on a typical older 5.1 computer sound chip, the
main stereo output channels have 32 ohm drive, intended to
run headphones from the chip when it is set to two channel
(stereo) mode. The other four channels, (surrounds, center,
and sub), tend to be 600 ohm output impedance, which is a
lot weaker. The 600 ohms works fine with the 5K or 10K of
the amplified computer speakers, but won't be a good match
for 32 ohm headphones.

HTH,
Paul

Hey, thanks Paul. That really does help. I will run my front audio in
parallel. Many thanks,

Fred.