Hook Up to Surround Sound System

[ILLPHIL]

I am thinking about building my own computer. Right now my computer is hooked up to my surround sound system. If I purchase a top of the line sound card what is the best way to connect it to my systems reciever, so as to get optimal sound quality?
thanks

[audiyoda]

If your system is Dolby Digital (AC-3) then I'd get the Audiophile 24/96 (http://www.midiman.net/products/m-audio/audiophile.php) card from M-Audio. It's about as good as it gets -- at least for 99% of the consumers on the market. It's a professional level card that offers 24bit/96K resolution, one of the best dynamic ranges on the market and the lowest true THD in it's class of cards. It's only real downfall is it only offers S/PDIF in coax -- no optical.

If you need optical, I'd say the Audigy2 (http://www.soundblaster.com/products/audigy2/) from Soundblaster would be the way to go. Almost as good as the Audiophile 24/96 (more latency and less complinat drivers will keep audio pros away from the Audigy line) -- it's a very good consumer level card.

-Craig

[v1r4L fr3nzy]

MaxPC gave the Audigy2 a 10/10 in their last issue.