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HTPC Questions (best soundcard for digital out)

post #1 of 12
1/15/09 at 11:35pm
Thread Starter 
I was going to build a HTPC... well more precisely a PC to use as a digital source for my modified PS Audio DLIII to play Flac's and CDs.

So far was thinking of using

ASUS P5Q Deluxe MB
E1200 Processor
?GB Kingston DDR2 800 RAM
WD 1TB green power HD
I was going to buy an old Graphics card on ebay with passive cooling
Antec Signature 650 PSU

Sound good?

I also have some questions...

1. I'm stuck on which sound card I should use since I only want to use the coax digital out. I'm thinking of the EMU 1212M, EMU 0404 (is the 1212 any better than the 0404 for digital output?), ESI Juli@, Auzentech X-FI or something in that price range. Any suggestions?

2. I'm also stuck on which way to go with the RAM. Get one stick of 256MB RAM or get 4GB of RAM which would use more power.

3. Using a setup like this, would I be able to listen to a CD using the optical drive and have the drive silent? Would the sound output be as good quality?

4. If I used software like XBMC or something would I be able to use the sound card's native ASIO for output or do I need to use something like foobar?


Thanks so much to anyone who provides me with any advice.
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post #2 of 12
1/16/09 at 1:36am
For HTPC, I suggest to go with Xonar HDAV1.3.

It's the only capable of digital bitstream 7.1 LPCM, Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD from Blu-ray Discs. I think that fit into HTPC scenario better than EMU cards, since EMU is better for pro audio recording purposes.
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post #3 of 12
1/16/09 at 1:51am
If it's purely as digital transport for 2-channel, I highly recommend the EMU0404PCI. Pulse-transformer coupled S/PDIF output (even better if you hard-wire the output using true 75-ohm cable wth BNC connector).
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post #4 of 12
1/16/09 at 1:54am
Thread Starter 
It's purely for 2 channel. Should have mentioned that.

Thanks guys.
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post #5 of 12
1/16/09 at 1:56am
If its 2 channel then why not use the optical on the motherboard?
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post #6 of 12
1/16/09 at 2:11am
Thread Starter 
I'd rather have native ASIO. Would reduce jitter I'd imagine.

The Xonar D2/PM looks good. I wonder how it would compare to the EMU, ESI or M-Audio offerings.
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post #7 of 12
1/18/09 at 9:52pm
Thread Starter 
bump!
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post #8 of 12
1/4/12 at 6:19am

I'm in a similar boat - albeit 3 years later. 

I just want the best spidif out coax with 5.1 pass through for hometheatre amp.

PCIe

Was going to move on emu 1010 but wasn't sure if I would be better off with something from Asus or Auzentech??


Edited by customNuts - 1/4/12 at 6:20am
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post #9 of 12
1/4/12 at 10:28am

+1 agreed and channel funds to better speakers deadhorse.gif
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by olblueyez View Post

If its 2 channel then why not use the optical on the motherboard?


 

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post #10 of 12
1/4/12 at 11:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by customNuts View Post

I'm in a similar boat - albeit 3 years later. 

I just want the best spidif out coax with 5.1 pass through for hometheatre amp.

PCIe

Was going to move on emu 1010 but wasn't sure if I would be better off with something from Asus or Auzentech??



DON'T

EMU 1010 which should be one of the EMU 1212M cards  doesn't do Dolby\DTS bitstream to receiver, at least the old version that I have,

 

This is a very old thread, HTPC has come a long way from that,

If you want a nice setup, I would consider getting a miniITX motherboard, motherboard SPIDF out should be fine, inside one of those small aluminum cases,

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128468

 

 

 

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post #11 of 12
1/4/12 at 4:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sonci View Post



DON'T

EMU 1010 which should be one of the EMU 1212M cards  doesn't do Dolby\DTS bitstream to receiver, at least the old version that I have,

 

This is a very old thread, HTPC has come a long way from that,

If you want a nice setup, I would consider getting a miniITX motherboard, motherboard SPIDF out should be fine, inside one of those small aluminum cases,

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128468

 

 

 

Thanks for the info.

I'll explain my situation a little better.

I have bought a new AMD quadcore miniITX inside a silverstone SFF sugo6 case. I use it for normal internet/computing but mainly as a transport to my ref7.1 & littledotmk6+ balanced rig. I am going to buy an audiophilleo2 to feed this.

 

I also have a Marantz Hometheatre amp which I dont want to feed HDMI because then I need to turn it on to use the computer monitor and my computer is nearly always on. I don't care about trueHD/Master Audio formats So the Marantz will get the optical out on my Asrock Motherboard (my motherboard doesn't have coax).

 

So..... The card will be just for the Marantz so it will need to have 5.1 passthrough SPDIF coaxial out. It would also need to be bit-perfect eg ASIO. In other words a bit-perfect transformer-coupled coax SPDIF out that will best my motherboards SPDIF out. 

I do not need any analogue section. ie no DAC or Headphone Amp, Just digital out.

 

Autezech?

Ausus??
 

 


Edited by customNuts - 1/4/12 at 6:34pm
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post #12 of 12
1/5/12 at 11:40am

I use Auzentech Prelude for DTS Dolby bitstream, its ok for coaxial or optical,

 

though you should search any cheaper options as Audiotrak, since you need only coaxial out.

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