[Riku540]

Just a little confused as a day 2 Ubuntu user.
 
I have two audio outputs I can select for my FiiO E7/E9; Digital Output (S/PDIF) and Analog Output as you can see here:
 

 
The good news is, both work. I get sound regardless of what I choose.
 
My question is, which should I be using for optimal sound quality, if it even matters?
 
In Windows, I only have one USB DAC to select so it's straightforward.
 
I would assume digital would be better, although I'm using the USB connection and not the S/PDIF?
 
On the other hand, the digital signal is being converted to analog in the end all the same. So analog also makes sense?
 
Is there anyone that can enlighten me?

 

[stv014]

I would guess the first option enables the S/PDIF output of the USB receiver in the E7, while (judging from the fact that you still get sound) also sending the data to the built-in DAC. However, S/PDIF output is not actually implemented in the E7, so I do not think you gain anything by not using the second, "analog" option.

 

[Riku540]

You know, I've been doing so much reading on recent FiiO products that I forget my now ancient, discontinued E7 doesn't even have S/PDIF.
 
Does it show because it uses a similar chip to the E17, as if they were planning ahead?