Harman Kardon's Computer-to-Home-Audio Link

Have anyone seen Harman Kardon's DAL 150 EzLink for $150. It claims to easily link your home PC to your home audio system via a easy USB to RCA MP3 decoder? I saw this and decided to conatact Harman Kardon. The following are two e-mails by me and two e-mails by there support staff.

MINE

>Why would anybody spend $150 on that stupid PC to Reciever bridge? I can
>play any typr of media through my home speakers by just conecting the
>audio out in my sound card to the audio in in my speakers? Is this just a
>scam or is there an actual reason?

HIS


Yes, you can connect your analog audio output from your computer to your receiver, the same way I do. However, I must admit, this is the most excited I've been about any product we've released in the past 5 years or
so. Remember, using your soundcard means that you will only get quality that is as good as your soundcard. Unless you've spent hundreds of dollars on your soundcard, the quality is not all that good. I use the SoundBlaster Live card ($100). Yes, it sounds good, but man is it noisy. This keeps your audio in the digital domain from start to finish. So you get optimum sonic quality from your computer regardless of your processor, soundcard, or anything else. One more thing. If you have a receiver that can decode MP3 files, you can send your MP3 files to your receiver while still encoded, leaving your processor in your computer open for other uses. Of course, the decoder in your receiver is probably of higher quality than the one in your computer, so in the end you get the best possible sonic quality. This is a great thing, and is in no way a scam.

Mine is on its way. I can't wait to get it!!!!
>
>
>I hope this helps.
>
>
>Sincerely,
>
>
>Joe Chinnici
>Internet Support Specialist

MINE

First of all even the bottom of the line soundblaster live card has digital
out. Secondly a soundblaster live 5.1 only costs $33 with shipping(check
pricewatch.com) and a audigy costs $64 with shipping, the audigy is the best

soundcard i know exsists. Next even if you have a digital soundcard or your $150 digital converter if your reciever is analog it defeats the purpose of
the digital. I'm no computer idiot and i'm trying to understand you companies justification for ripping of the average joe.

HIS


This has nothing to do with ripping anyone off. You can by a car for $15,000, or you can by a car for several hundred thousand dollars. They both
get you from point A to point B, but the person spending insane amounts of money on the expensive car is not being ripped off. If they want a better,
more comfortable ride, they will pay more money. Yes, the SoundBlaster cards have digital outputs, but they are not true digital outputs. They go through the analog portion of the sound card first and then convert the
signal to digital. I can only say this, before you decide that we are ripping anyone off, listen to the results. I'm sure you will change your tune. If you have a decent home system, you will hear a difference.


Sincerely,


Joe Chinnici
Internet Support Specialist