I do experience about 100 ms latency with stereo mix, but I don't usually play games that require twitch reactions to positional cues, so it doesn't matter.  However, if you're willing to try something: VB-Audio Virtual Cable (http://vb-audio.pagesperso-orange.fr/Cable/) is free and is...

  The requirement of setting your device to 5.1/7.1 is because if your source doesn't see surround channels in the playback device, it won't send any surround data.  MB3 is intercepting that 5.1/7.1 signal and processing it into a 2.0 signal before it actually reaches the hardware playback...

You will still need a 5.1/7.1 device as your default playback device, and then use something equivalent to realtek's stereo mix to redirect the sound to your s/pdif out. If you don't care about latency (like for movies where the audio delay can be calibrated), or you have a low latency redirect...

So, in my specific case, I am utilizing a slightly different method than the one I mentioned using virtual cables.  I am running THX TruStudio Pro, which I believe is the same as SBX Pro Studio with a different badge.  Since THX TruStudio is bundled with my onboard sound, it can only use that...

It is not necessary to have a hardware DSP for headphone surround.  Creative MB3 allows you to have software-based SBX Pro Studio.  I'm not sure if they require you to have a device that has a setting for 7.1, but if they do, you can use VB-Audio Virtual Cable to give you a virtual 7.1 device...

Does cmss do anything if you set your playback device to stereo? If not, you could just leave it on and only switch the channel configuration in Windows.

Oh wow, I didn't actually realize the K7XX was one specific product. Mad Lust Envy used K7XX in his reviews to denote the entire K701/2 range. Would any of my 3 potential setups be sufficient for the K7XX?

Hello everyone.  I'm currently searching for an upgrade to my current setup, which is an ATH-AD700 played from my onboard Realtek HD audio.  I primarily use it for gaming, and sometimes passively listen to music on it while doing other things.   After looking through both this thread and Mad...