S/PDIF "OUT" on PC Audio sound card!

[Johnny Vinyl]

My new audio card has a S/PDIF "OUT" and being the digital newb that I am, can someone tell me what this can be used for?

[Tony208]

For SPDIF In on home theater systems?

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Tony208

For SPDIF In on home theater systems?

It's usually the other around though. I would have expected a S/PDIF "IN", so I could connect an external CD/SACD transport. I can't do that in this case, hence my question as to what else this is good for.

[pentatonic]

Well it's mostly for hook up to exterior decoding, receiver, dedicated DAC. Unfortunately most "consumer" cards don't have s/pdif in. You do have a solid analog in section, so you could still record that way. You usually need a "pro" card for that, like my emu. But your DVD drive would be your best transport to use if you want to use your soundcard.

But from what I read you'd want to use a digital in so you can record using a s/pdif in and your card's DAC, is that it?

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by pentatonic

Well it's mostly for hook up to exterior decoding, receiver, dedicated DAC. Unfortunately most "consumer" cards don't have s/pdif in. You do have a solid analog in section, so you could still record that way. You usually need a "pro" card for that, like my emu. But your DVD drive would be your best transport to use if you want to use your soundcard.

But from what I read you'd want to use a digital in so you can record using a s/pdif in and your card's DAC, is that it?

Hi Pat,

The only thing that I would like to have is the ability to play my NON-HYBRID SACD's thru my PC and using the soundcard. It's not a big deal, but it would be nice.

EDIT: And yes, at some point down the road I'd like to hook up one of my TT's so I could do needledrops. But I'll address that when the time comes.

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

Hi Pat,

The only thing that I would like to have is the ability to play my NON-HYBRID SACD's thru my PC and using the soundcard. It's not a big deal, but it would be nice.

EDIT: And yes, at some point down the road I'd like to hook up one of my TT's so I could do needledrops. But I'll address that when the time comes.

Unfortunately you'll have to go analog in and use your player's DAC for that. Should still sound ok but I get what you mean, sad that you can't get pcm in.

And for one of your TT, if I recollect properly the analog section and ADCs on your card where also top notch so you should easily be able to do nice 24/96 rips using one of your phono stages.