Asus mainboard SPDIF output quality

[32y0]

I have an ASUS mainboard with SPDIF output and I was wondering if anybody knows something about the quality of the SPDIF out.

 

[LostOne.TR]

Not that I would know, but information on which board/ info about the included onboard sound might be relevant info needed.

 

[FallenAngel]

Don't expect it to be bit-perfect, well timed or transformer coupled. In other words, get a proper transport.

 

[32y0]

The mainboard is an ASUS P5Q link.

Can I get a soundcard for the proper transport?

 

[Duggeh]

I used the SPDIF coaxial output on my P5Q3 Deluxe for a time until I got my USB transport.

I use Windows XP 64 bit, which doesn't have the newer Vista/7 audio kernal and so I was locked to using 48khz output rate from the motherboard, I believe that this resampling issue was in large part the reason for the difference in sound between the transports (I had to slightly reposition my speakers after the change), but the proximity to all that noise in the PC and a power supply not built to be audio grade will also have been factors.

The sound wasn't bad by any means, but if you've got a decent DAC, you really should get at least a half decent transport for it. The Trends Audio UD10.1 Lite does such a job for me.

 

[obobskivich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by #@y0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The mainboard is an ASUS P5Q link. Can I get a soundcard for the proper transport?

a good soundcard would work

so would an external device

really limited by your budget, needs, tastes, etc

what are you connecting the current S/PDIF output into?

 

[32y0]

I'm looking to buy a DAC, atm I don't have one.
The DAC I saw doesn't have USB input, so I thought maybe a Juli@ sound card would work.
What do you think?

 

[FallenAngel]

Personally, I think the EMU 0404 PCI is the best bang/buck transport as it's not expensive ($50 or so), has nice software (yes, I actually do like it) and offers bit-perfect, transformer-coupled coax S/PDIF output.

 

[obobskivich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Personally, I think the EMU 0404 PCI is the best bang/buck transport as it's not expensive ($50 or so), has nice software (yes, I actually do like it) and offers bit-perfect, transformer-coupled coax S/PDIF output.

X2

unless you need multi-channel, the 0404 is a great route, and I had no idea it's gotten down to ~$50 (thats crazy.)

 

[smrtby123]

The audio chip on that board is a RealTek so it is actually pretty good for onboard sound. Not on par with a good external card solution, but you can get by with it. SoundMax is the onboard stuff you want to avoid.

 

[obobskivich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Don't expect it to be bit-perfect, well timed or transformer coupled. In other words, get a proper transport.

^^ if you didn't read FA's point, you should

and why do you have to be external? theres nothing to be gained from external over internal, either is really quite fine

 

[32y0]

I can't find the EMU 0404 for 50. Could you tell me where to look?

 

[FallenAngel]

eBay has them for $80 like this though they sometimes show up for $50-$60, this forum usually has them at the $50-$60 price as well.

 

[Slogra]

My motherboard has a Realtek ALC889A which IS bitperfect. I guess the ALC1200 on your board is even better at some fields, but it's not even mentioned on the Realtek site.

 

[ford2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by #@y0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have an ASUS mainboard with SPDIF output and I was wondering if anybody knows something about the quality of the SPDIF out.

Its bitperfect,I use it playing DVD's to feed a AVR.