Spoonfed
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2004
- Posts
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Hi all....newbie here
While i do understand this forum is headphone orientated, browing the net it seems to have a very good wealth of knowledge regarding PC Soundcards as source equipment.
While my request relates more to amplified "speaker" and home theatre use, id appreciate any input given
Im currently using the onboard C-Media SPDIF for 2ch and DD/DTS pass.
I am going to upgrade my ole Denon AVR to possibly a Jungson audio only 5.1 Receiver (full Class A) and obviously want better source.
http://www.jungson.com/product_pages/amplifier.htm (note is in $AUD)
2ch speakers are Quad 12L's
I want to feed 2ch CD and audio (ie Media library some 320kbbp and Lossless) via analogue out, and viewing of DTV/DVD (both 2ch and 5.1) via SPDIF...........+ i want this to be "seemless" (ie no need to switch on/off SPDIF in soundcard controller). (switching of receiver source is OK)
Obviously i want good 2ch analoge out with ASIO support, and same for SPDIF, ASIO support is needed i guess.
I wouldn't mind high quality 5.1 analogue outs, but it seems this is not really available in Sound cards.
Options i have come up with
Chaintech AV710 $25USD
- Apparently good bang for buck, ASIO capable (SPDIF/analogue) with good 2ch analogue DAC's
Capable of ASIO on both with ASIO4ALL.........can do SPDIF of DD and DTS
MAudio Revo 7.1 (or maybe 5.1?) $85USD?
- Similar to above (apparently)
hear of some poor inplemenation of features? Good 2 ch analogue DAC's perhaps better than the Chaintech????
Capable of ASIO on both with ASIO4ALL.........can do SPDIF of DD and DTS
E-MU 0404 $100USD
Apparently substanially better analogue 2ch out than the above?
has SPDIF and ASIO support BUT stupidly cannot PASS DD and DTS over SPDIF!!! (i guess i "Could" use the onboard Cmedia for all SPDIF duties..... but messy worst SPDIF quality?)
E-MU 1212M $200USD
Better DACs'/analogue again though same SPDIF restrictions
RME Hammerfall HDSP 9362 $600USD (getting a bit $$$$ for me )
Apparently best 2ch analogue output
SPDIF pass of AC3/DD does work
Im thinking perhaps the best option is a EMU 0404 using the 2ch analogue for CD/audio 2ch media and continue to use the CMedia SPDIF for DD/DTS movies? Would sound quality of DD/DTS from the Cmedia be noticably inferior?
Also while the 1212M seems good, the "two board" arrangement is at odds with availabe space in my HTPC case. (HD DTV cards etc..... not much room) (http://members.optusnet.com.au/spoonfed/PC%20INSIDE.jpg
The RME is a bit pricey, the Revo i have heard "mixed" opinions about....driver complaints etc Oh also there is a Revo 5.1 now....apprrently a bit better?
Thanks
Dan
While i do understand this forum is headphone orientated, browing the net it seems to have a very good wealth of knowledge regarding PC Soundcards as source equipment.
While my request relates more to amplified "speaker" and home theatre use, id appreciate any input given
Im currently using the onboard C-Media SPDIF for 2ch and DD/DTS pass.
I am going to upgrade my ole Denon AVR to possibly a Jungson audio only 5.1 Receiver (full Class A) and obviously want better source.
http://www.jungson.com/product_pages/amplifier.htm (note is in $AUD)
2ch speakers are Quad 12L's
I want to feed 2ch CD and audio (ie Media library some 320kbbp and Lossless) via analogue out, and viewing of DTV/DVD (both 2ch and 5.1) via SPDIF...........+ i want this to be "seemless" (ie no need to switch on/off SPDIF in soundcard controller). (switching of receiver source is OK)
Obviously i want good 2ch analoge out with ASIO support, and same for SPDIF, ASIO support is needed i guess.
I wouldn't mind high quality 5.1 analogue outs, but it seems this is not really available in Sound cards.
Options i have come up with
Chaintech AV710 $25USD
- Apparently good bang for buck, ASIO capable (SPDIF/analogue) with good 2ch analogue DAC's
Capable of ASIO on both with ASIO4ALL.........can do SPDIF of DD and DTS
MAudio Revo 7.1 (or maybe 5.1?) $85USD?
- Similar to above (apparently)
hear of some poor inplemenation of features? Good 2 ch analogue DAC's perhaps better than the Chaintech????
Capable of ASIO on both with ASIO4ALL.........can do SPDIF of DD and DTS
E-MU 0404 $100USD
Apparently substanially better analogue 2ch out than the above?
has SPDIF and ASIO support BUT stupidly cannot PASS DD and DTS over SPDIF!!! (i guess i "Could" use the onboard Cmedia for all SPDIF duties..... but messy worst SPDIF quality?)
E-MU 1212M $200USD
Better DACs'/analogue again though same SPDIF restrictions
RME Hammerfall HDSP 9362 $600USD (getting a bit $$$$ for me )
Apparently best 2ch analogue output
SPDIF pass of AC3/DD does work
Im thinking perhaps the best option is a EMU 0404 using the 2ch analogue for CD/audio 2ch media and continue to use the CMedia SPDIF for DD/DTS movies? Would sound quality of DD/DTS from the Cmedia be noticably inferior?
Also while the 1212M seems good, the "two board" arrangement is at odds with availabe space in my HTPC case. (HD DTV cards etc..... not much room) (http://members.optusnet.com.au/spoonfed/PC%20INSIDE.jpg
The RME is a bit pricey, the Revo i have heard "mixed" opinions about....driver complaints etc Oh also there is a Revo 5.1 now....apprrently a bit better?
Thanks
Dan