Soundcard with Optical Out ???

[pixelfreak]

I'm searching for a cheap soundcard with a optical out for watching my DivX/AC3 Moviez with my Surround Receiver ! The SoundCard mustn't have special feautures ! The Card must only cheap !!!

[fANMIR]

I have Zoltrix Nightingale 6 pro. It has optical/coaxial spdif inputs and outputs. I have connected it to my technics sa-da10 receiver and everything works perfect. And of course it is cheap card. Highly recommended.

[MaTTeR]

I have to agree with fANMIR if you can find one in your country, NG6 works great with digital out and is about the cheapest card on the market. If not, then my favorite card at the moment is the TB Santa Cruz. It's very easy to setup either of these cards for AC3 SPDIF sound. If your not going to use optical output to your amp, then I'd suggest going with the Santa Cruz card as the analog outputs of the NG6 seem to have an annoying hum when the volume is loud.

[Tux]

Hi!

Where do you come from? I made good experience with the Terratec 512i (very cheap, only optical and analog output) and the Terratec Sixpac 5.1 (optical in/out/through). These Cards are available in Germany and I think in europe. I don't know where you can by it too.

Tux

[chemmajik]

Came across a older review by accident & was sure others would be interested. Hercules as done a modification of either the hardware or software to allow 7.1 optical out for the prior Fortissimo II, with a new name of III, list price is in the $50 range. So this might be the killer 7.1 on the budget. Here's the review link. I was impressed with my friends Fortissmo II my friend bought for 27bucks at best buy for his reciever. http://www.overclockersonline.com/?page=articles&num=158

[MaTTeR]

I like the sound that the Hercules FII card has, also the nice cable setup they give you as well. However, I have to say that the drivers are buggy on Win2k and WinXP...mostly WinXP. They aren't near as bad like Creative's but it's definitely worth worrying about. Until recently I had to reboot the machine anytime I wanted to switch between SPDIF or analog outs:rolleyes: Overall though, the sound quality and ease of use is definitely worth the price IMHO.

[chemmajik]

Forgot to mention his was the Game Surround FII version, the DVD 5.1 didnt come with a optical out which he needed, only the 5 analog outs. I'll prob invest in the 7.1 when it hits locally for my next setup over my old Creative Live.