Quick question about digital connectors for audio...

[MagicMan17]

Basically the story is I am moving on from my Nvidia Nforce to a Pentium. The bad part is that there is no 5.1 integrated sound on the new motherboard (which I need for my Logitech Z-680's). I am looking at several sound cards but would like the best option for the cheapest price. I have found several cheap cards (Turtle Beach, some Creative Labs stuff) that have a coaxial connection for the digital out. As of now, I am connected through a optical out and I was wondering what the difference would be if I had to switch from optical to coaxial.

Along these same lines, can anyone recommend a good sound card for my uses (movies, some games, plenty of music, and DVD's) at a decent price.

Thanks.

 

[flot]

There is no "basic" difference. They both carry the same kind of signal, and as long as whatever you are plugging it into accepts both, you'll have no trouble.

There are some "techincal" differences. In theory the coax might sound better because there is less signal conversion going on. However, in practice the optical might sound better because there is no chance of interference, creating a ground loop between your components, etc.

But, generally speaking, use whichever is convienient.

 

[Viper GTS]

There is no difference whatsoever. Both carry the exact same data stream, anyone who claims there is an audible difference between the two is smoking crack.

If all the bits get there correctly you're fine.

I have both coax and TOSLINK in use in my theater.

Viper GTS

 

[ngvepforever2]

The NVidia SoundStorm DSP is able to decode 5.1 digitally, something no sound card out there can do ( not even my audigy 2zs ). I also have the logitech Z-680 and they sound excellent paired with the audigy 2 zs. However, if you connect it through the optical or coaxial you are only going to listen to 2 channels instead of 5.1 because this card cannot encode to 5.1 digitally. You will have to use the analog inputs to take advantage of this sound card when listening to music (i.e. mp3'S, DVD movies with no DTS signal). Optical and Coaxial in 5.1 will only work when you are watching a movie with DTS. I was also a little dissapointed when I learned this , but the analog quality sounds really good to me so I don't mind too much.

Regards

ng

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
There is no difference whatsoever. Both carry the exact same data stream, anyone who claims there is an audible difference between the two is smoking crack.

If all the bits get there correctly you're fine.

I have both coax and TOSLINK in use in my theater.

Viper GTS

Optical can be prone to more jitter due to lower bandwidth of the cable/transmitter/receiver/conversion. And we all know what jitter can do to PCM audio.

Will most people ever hear a difference? Probably not.

In my stereo - yes.

The 'bits are bits' arugment doesn't hold much muster to anybody versed in digital communications. They are not 'bits', they are enocded frames transmitted with an encoded carrier.

but heck for a computer - use whichever you can.