Hooking up PC to powered speakers with XLR?, How to connect to pro-audio gear? Options

[TooSteep]

Hello all:

I believe I am about to come in to possession of a pair of powered DJ speakers. I believe they have XLR connectors on the back.

What is the simplest method of connecting my PC to them and controlling the volume from my desk, strictly for playback (no recording)?

Right now, I have an external 24-bit USB box, with analog RCA outs that I run into my amplifier that sits on a shelf at the side of my room. The amp has a simple little remote control that I use from my desk to control the volume on my stand-mounted monitors. I keep the volume control in Windows and on Foobar set to maximum - assuming (hoping?) that it gives me maximum bit depth for the music.

Is there a 'de facto' standard method around here for hooking up to Active pro-audio gear?

Thanks.

[punkrockdude]

Be sure that the output that the sound card puts out does not exceed the input the speakers can take. For example if your sound card output +21 dBU and your speakers accepts up to let's say +18 dBU then you might get clipping since the sound card can output 3 dB more than your speakers can recieve. If hope I have got it right. If not, someone else will correct me.

Check your active monitors that any eq shelves on the back is set to their 0 positions to start with to have an unaltered sound. Regards.

[Glenn Gundlach]

Be sure that the output that the sound card puts out does not exceed the input the speakers can take. For example if your sound card output +21 dBU and your speakers accepts up to let's say +18 dBU then you might get clipping since the sound card can output 3 dB more than your speakers can recieve. If hope I have got it right. If not, someone else will correct me.

Check your active monitors that any eq shelves on the back is set to their 0 positions to start with to have an unaltered sound. Regards.

Every sound card I've run into over the years puts out 2 V p-p at 0dB Fs. Obviously there are specialty cards that do more but they're the exception rather than the rule. At work (broadcast, commercial duplication and post production) the common way to interface pro and consumer gear is to use a Henry Matchbox. There are of course others and the ambitious can build an equivalent since it's nothing more than opamps and a power supply. You'll find however that if your time is worth more than minimum wage it's cheaper to buy one ready to go but there is always the satisfaction factor.

http://henryeng.com/matchbox.html

G²