Does a HTPC need a receiver to output lossless audio?

[RiseDarthVader]

I have a new PC that is for gaming and also doubles as my BD HTPC. I want to know if I need a receiver for me to hear lossless audio or does my CPU already decode it? I am using a Logitech X-540 5.1 sound system.

[CJ P]

Originally Posted by RiseDarthVader

I have a new PC that is for gaming and also doubles as my BD HTPC. I want to know if I need a receiver for me to hear lossless audio or does my CPU already decode it? I am using a Logitech X-540 5.1 sound system.

I'm not sure what you mean. I would think it would depend on your sound card and what it can decode rather than what speaker system you have.

[CosmoKid]

Originally Posted by CJ P

I'm not sure what you mean. I would think it would depend on your sound card and what it can decode rather than what speaker system you have.

exactly.

OP needs to check what sound card he has and check the specs to see if it decodes. your speakers will just play what its fed.

[kpkelley]

I believe only the Xonar sound cards can decode the hd audio codecs so far. Could be wrong.

[RiseDarthVader]

i've got intergrated sound.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by RiseDarthVader

I have a new PC that is for gaming and also doubles as my BD HTPC. I want to know if I need a receiver for me to hear lossless audio or does my CPU already decode it? I am using a Logitech X-540 5.1 sound system.

What OS are you using? You receive downres'd lossless *48khz/16bit* albeit many blurays are at this level. If you are using vista there is an upconvert trick explained on the AVS forum. I have compared identical BD's against my HTPC and my LG BH-200 Bitstreaming to my Yamaha RX-V663. Generally you can't tell them apart, but on some BD's the HTPC actually out performs the BH-200. You don't have to have a receiver (if you get one you will need new speakers also). The way you are doing now is essentially the way you would do it with a receiver and compatible speakers.
There are bugs in the Xonar drivers ! I waited a long time for this card, but the more I listened to my present set up the less I wanted it. When I discovered that my standalone could now bitstream with a few firmware updates - the Xonar was out of the picture. After hearing bitstreaming - I'm still not impressed over my HTPC. My standalone is very convienient, loads fast (so does my HTPC), and performs well, but does it do anything just better than my HTPC...IMHO, no. If you don't feel like spending the extrat cash and if your present sound is acceptable - don't do it. BUT if you have the urge to upgrade and get new speakers (that would be the real upgrade here) and a receiver - you will notice an improvement in your sound...because of the speaker upgrade and what you are using to drive them (you would connect the computer to the receivers multi-channel input).

[RiseDarthVader]

I am using Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit. So whats the tweak to get better audio?