External USB or Internal (PCI)?

[Graz]

I’m currently working on a dedicated audio PC setup & I’m hoping for some advice.

I already have an Alviso/Dothan-based laptop that I can dedicate for the task. I also have an M-Audio Audiophile USB & CIAudio VDA-1/VAC-1 DAC & power supply.
I plan to re-rip my entire CD collection to WAV & haven’t yet decided on the storage. I may go with external USB HDD, or I may put it all on another PC in my home and allow the laptop to access it via LAN or WLAN.

The question I have…is there any significant benefit to go with a PCI audio card such as an EMU or RME instead of the Audiophile USB…specifically considering I’ll only be using the S/PDIF output anyway? Going with the EMU or RME would entail building a PC obviously, and I’m willing to do it…but only if the result is a meaningful upgrade over the Audiophile.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Peace,

Graz

 

[Trogdor]

Graz, I don't see a real advantage either way or at least real audible one.

As long as you are bit-for-bit perfect by the time you hit the DAC and out to your amp/headphones, your good.

I'm not sure what you are trying to accomplish or what your priorities are so bare with me.

I think the USB approach maybe cheaper if you have to build a whole new PC (maybe not). One of the reasons why I went USB was because I could reuse my DAC on another box without a complete tear down (as oppose to a PCI solution).

Again, your major goal with a computer source setup is an untouched unmodified bitstream out to your DAC via some medium (either optical, USB, FireWire, etc.).

Hope that sort of helps,

Trogdor