best sound card for output to a 'stereo' not just speakers

[bangkok_cowboy]

I want to take my MP3s to my main stereo system with 'real', :-) , speakers.

I currently have a SB Live OEM, that sounds great with headphones & mostly $uck$ with my 'computer speakers'.

Since MP3s are not dolby digital ( ? ) will I benefit from an optical output / connection?
when a dolby digital source is compressed to MP3 does it retain the dolby digital 5.1 channel benefit?

[sweeks]

a Hercules Digifire 7.1 has optical output and is cheaper than any sound blaster audigy. i don't think mp3s will do 5.1 surrond.

[bangkok_cowboy]

so why have a sound card with an optical output.. are games are in dolby digital?

the advantage of 'optical' is the 'encoding' of the digital source signal.. if the source is 'simple stereo' why pay for optical out?

my 'simple stereo' cd changer only has analog out & sounds excellant.

[sweeks]

ya alot of new games are encoded in 4.1 suround sound and if you ever want you can put a dvd player in and get the full audio experiance.

[bangkok_cowboy]

i guess my SB live meets my mp3 needs..

thanks! ( krup ka )

[SOGsnakebite]

im running an audigy hooked up to a pioneer 400 watt home theatre with mission and jbl speakers and a beal powered woofer, the sound is amazing in movies games or music

[Lobe]

I got a Hercules Game Theater 6.1 running to my Pioneer, it has a constant buzz on the speakers though and im really not all that happy with it in general. The card seems to work fine but, id rather run it through aset of Klipsh or somthin...

[[GF]Burke]

5.1 is not for muzzak. that would be pointles.

ie-> center chanel for voice... um no.

[Evil_Spork]

i have a sound blaster live 5.1... i got it free w00t! i have 6.2 surround sound and mp3's play BEUATIFULLY on it. i have a radio shack splitter on my main speakers to connect my 2.1 and 4.1 altec lansing speakers. it sounds GREAT. the dual subs are amazing.

[telebofh]

I'm using the Abit KD-7 Raid and it comes with the 6 speaker on board + optical. I don't use the optical but I do run the speaker out into a y adapter from radio shack that then runs to a pair of rca cables into my stero and it works perfectly.

Really loud and clear when throwing down on some Unreal Tourny :twisted:

[KlipschFan]

Well... You didn't say what the budget was... With that said, I can dream along with all you guys about an M-Audio Firewire 1814! Can you say Cha Ching $750 MSRP!

I am recent member at AudioAsylum too. There is a whole section on PC Audio called Computer Audio Asylum. There is a lot of great info about Digital to Analog Converters DAC's. Just as an example look at http://www.magnequest.com/new_wavelength_dac.htm.

BUT... Those people are nuts. They might spend $400 on an audio experiment.

I consider my hearing pretty good, but these guys are talking about "hearing" the difference between FLAC and Apple Lossless.

My best results have come from a el cheapo VIA Envy24HT with optical out to a home theater receiver.