Easiest way to output HR audio through PC, Could use your help Options

[Pok_Madui]

I'm about to buy a new PC, and I want to know how to efficiently output high-resolution digital audio DATA through it to a DAC (and then to an amp and headphones).

All of those Creative SoundBlaster cards seem too expensive and overly packed with unnecessary features, so I thought: "There has to be a way to just output the raw digital data from the PC straight to the DAC without any processing", But I haven't found any easy and cheap way to do it.

What I'm talking about (If you haven't quite got what I'm trying to say) is something like this device, but a lot more cheap and without any unnecessary features (and preferably integrated into the motherboard itself without the need for A USB connection for it).

If there is such a wonderful product (preferably with optical out), I would like to know about it.

Thanks in advance for all help.

[LithosZA]

Some motherboards have onboard audio with SPDIF out. Alternatively you can get a USB-DAC.

[Pok_Madui]

Some motherboards have onboard audio with SPDIF out. Alternatively you can get a USB-DAC.

From what I understand, the data that comes through the S/PDIF in the soundcard is audio, not raw data. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

About USB-DAC's: USB doesn't support high resolution audio (above 16/48), as far as I know. Correct me on this if I'm wrong here too.

[phofman]

From what I understand, the data that comes through the S/PDIF in the soundcard is audio, not raw data.

SPDIF passes PCM (i.e. wav format), I do not know what you mean by audio vs. raw data.

About USB-DAC's: USB doesn't support high resolution audio (above 16/48), as far as I know. Correct me on this if I'm wrong here too.

Not really, many recent usb dacs support 192/24, there are USB dacs with even higher samplerate.

[Pok_Madui]

From what I understand, the data that comes through the S/PDIF in the soundcard is audio, not raw data.

SPDIF passes PCM (i.e. wav format), I do not know what you mean by audio vs. raw data.

About USB-DAC's: USB doesn't support high resolution audio (above 16/48), as far as I know. Correct me on this if I'm wrong here too.

Not really, many recent usb dacs support 192/24, there are USB dacs with even higher samplerate.

Thanks for the help, guys. I'll guess I'll buy a USB DAC then.

[Apesbrain]

If you prefer an internal solution, Creative and ASUS both make PCI-E cards that output up to 24/96 and sell for under $50.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16829102023
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16829132052

[Arnold B. Kruege...]

I'm about to buy a new PC, and I want to know how to efficiently output high-resolution digital audio DATA through it to a DAC (and then to an amp and headphones).

All of those Creative SoundBlaster cards seem too expensive and overly packed with unnecessary features, so I thought: "There has to be a way to just output the raw digital data from the PC straight to the DAC without any processing", But I haven't found any easy and cheap way to do it.

What I'm talking about (If you haven't quite got what I'm trying to say) is something like this device, but a lot more cheap and without any unnecessary features (and preferably integrated into the motherboard itself without the need for A USB connection for it).

If there is such a wonderful product (preferably with optical out), I would like to know about it.

Thanks in advance for all help.

If you get a motherboard with a coax or optical digital output, which is a fairly common feature, you have what you need for listening to music for enjoyment. Sometimes the digital output is terminated with a connector on the board, and you will need an inexpensive optional connector on a bracket to bring the connection to the back panel of the PC.