SPDIF contacts

[JMicaelK73]

Hi, getting a new sound card and wonder about SPDIF contacts, how much better sound will that give me compared to regular out puts from like the SB AUDIGY. I will conect it all to my Reciver.

Thanks Micael

 

[edjam]

Well since their digital (or at least I think they are) they should provide better outputs, but I suppose then it will all depends on speakers you are using where whether you will notice any difference.

 

[MasterHoss]

You should get nice PCM audio that way. Yup... 2 channel stereo unless you're actually sending out an AC-3 bitstream. Want surround? Do you have a Dolby ProLogicII decoder on your receiver?

 

[JMicaelK73]

NO I don't think I have it on this one, but I plan to buy a new Reciver and that one will have one, but the money is almost out, so I have to wait untill after or around Christmas. Unless I get lucky and win the California Lottery and 120 Million tomorrow , but then only the best would be good enough.

Well I think that I will try it and see how it sounds.

Thanks Micael

 

[Goi]

S/PDIF is a digital interface, so if you use it, you will bypass your soundcard's DAC and transmit the digital PCM/DD/DTS signal from your soundcard to the receiver, to be either processed or converted to an analog signal for amplification. It should sound better because normally the DACs in PC soundcards are pretty crap 16bit/48KHz ones, and sometimes are integrated to the DSP/CODEC chip, compared to most receivers DACs which are 24bit/96KHz at least, and are discrete chips. Also, the PC is a noisy environment to deal with analog signals, which are susceptible to RF inteferences, etc. So, you should get better sound using the S/PDIF.

As for receiver choices, you can actually get quite a decent receiver at budget prices nowadays. Check out the denon 1802/2802. Other brands to check out are Onkyo, Pioneer Elite and Yamaha. What exactly is your budget for the receiver?