Which Soundcard?

[brashquido]

Hi All,

I just about have my movie computer all set up. The only thing I haven't got for it yet is the soundcard, and I was hoping I could get some suggestions. Obviously I'll be looking for a 5.1 card with SPDIF output, but my amp that I'll be connecting the soundcard to also has inputs for 6 channel anolog. Is there a card that supports both 5.1, and 6 channel anolog outputs? If so, what would I expect to pay for it?

[brashquido]

I have a Sound Blaster Live! Platinum lined up. It doesn't decode 5.1, but thats ok because my amp does. I think this will be good enough.

[sibe]

The Zoltrix Nightingale Pro 6 has analog 6ch output + optical and coaxial s/pdif in and out. It's high quality yet inexpensive.

Sibe

[avih]

i don't know much about audio, and i use simple stereo output, but doesn't 5.1 mean 6 outputs? i.e. 4 sattelite, center and base? (i have an onboard cmedia8738, 5.1, tested it once, worked, but i only use stereo normally).

maybe these are the 6 inputs of your amp?

pls excuse me if it's a bad suggestion, i'm a complete audio newbie.

avi

[sibe]

5.1 is indeed 6 channels, but I think he wanted to say 5.1 digital output opposed to 6 channel analog output. You obviously don't need both at the same time, but it's good to have both of them, S/PDIF for ac3 and 6 channel for ogg multichannel, because that format can't (and I hopefully say "yet") be decoded by external amps.

Sibe

[theReal]

...be careful with Creative Labs in combination with Via chipsets. Only a few C.L. cards work on via chipsets without any problems.