Lemme first tell you my situation and then I'll start begging for a solution .
I have an A7N8X-E Deluxe mobo with built in ALC650/soundstorm audio but I'm one of the unfortunate ppl to have the "BUZZING" problem for the analog outs on this board. So instead of using the analog outs I'm going to try out the digital outs (SPDIF) which I've heard are phenominal. I also don't want to go out and by a new home theater receiver with SPDIF support built-in. I already own a Mcintosh stereo power amp which, in my opinion, can take the "pepsi" challenge and win against all those lowsy 5.1 systems . So I'm wondering if there is a device out there that can just take a SPDIF(RCA type) input and separate the channels to all analog outputs and maybe a few other bells and whistles but that's it. I don't want to spend money on an entirely new system when I alrdy have my beautiful Mcintosh amp. I've searched google and all i can really come up with is schematics for building such a thing which i'm completely capable of doing, thank you DeVry university, but I'd rather go out and buy it.

BTW...the amp I'm speaking of is a MC2105 made in the late sixties. I found it in the basement one day and I asked my dad about it...he said one of the channels blew up or something....turns out all it needed were a few new electrolytic caps and she was back in business. This amp is quite possibly the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Sure she big and heavy, she runs hot, she even smells a bit but she makes the music sound sooooo good


thanx everyone for at least reading this post and for those of you that reply with a solution...you're invited to come over any time, be reasonable, and listen to some music and drink beer....beer is key.

Well,maybe a bit of topic but i had a same problem like you..
Got a real good preamp and powerampProblem is that poweramp is actually two mono blocks and its kick-ass for stereo but i wanted a good surround sound so i can watch dvds and specially couse i downloading movies from net too...
I found a external amplifier which you connect to your power amp and it gives out the channels you need for dd5.1.
I bought revo7.1 and when i play video thry my spdif i ngot a excelent5.1 dolby digital for dvds and good sorround for ""other""movies.That additional amp is also controlling your power amp so the volume is the way bits supposed to be..
I did a test with a friend who got top of the line Nakamichi receiver and my centar speaker and rear opnes wasnt worst then him..
Maybe i am a bit off topic but its a good solution to get a good dd sound with a old amp and not too much money

hmmm...
I see your point. Perhaps I should invest in a good receiver. How much did you spend on this amp you speak of?

It's called a DAC.

You want to:
-Get a sound card with good digital out, and good DAC.
or
-sell the amp, buy a sound card with good digital out, and a Panasonic SA-XR series receiver, and pocket some money
I would guess the first would be a better option, but some people praise the new all-digital receivers (of which the panasonic is one).

Actually,i tried to say that if you allready got a good amp you might go with a additional one which will give you the ability to enhance sound to 5.1.,but just in a case that you got really good amp...Overall the best solution would be to get brand new nice 7.1 av amp or receiver but will cost you money..
In the room where i got connected pc to my audio-video stuff i have a luxmann monoblock@160rms.If i remember good price was 1200 us$ for new...And of course i have 2 of them.
Device-amplifier im talking about is a additional amp with rear and center channel output+subwoofer.Its got regular inputs +optical which is connected to my satelit..
It was developed by msi which btryed to make a market with that product under different name-Vantas.Its got a Zoran chip inside and even it was a great product they sold it so i dont think it exist anymore.Interesting point about it is that output of stereo amp would go thry Vantas so it would adjust the volume to be the same as in power amp.Therefore it didnt even have a remore..to make it simply-you just connect it once and thats it..You dont turn-on turn off..adjust..nothing...
It was like its original part of stereo amp Price was 650$ us and its worth every penny of it..
Now i heard you can get it for 2-300 couse it doesent manifacture anymore and warranty doesent exist..
I really recomend this to everybody who got a good stereo amp..
otherwise the best is to buy a av receiver or amp which got 7.1 allready

As the guy said above you do need a good sound car which is capable to output good sound.Mobos which have a video audio on it are usually low quality.
I bought a revolution7.1 which is in a lower end by price-paid it 100 $ cad which is around 75 us $-brand new but its a really good card imo for audio-i mean a consumer class not a pro.Its got optical output and its 7.1 as the name says.By some reports its not that good for gaming but i dont play pc games so it doesent bother me.
So i would really recomend it,or even better spend a few bucks more and get a card with a digital input too,so all troubles with a copy-protected cds will become past as you will get a 1-1 identical copy

Guys this is really funny. I was sitting here pondering about my problem and I was also browsing the internet for a new sound card (lowsy ASUS). After five minutes of this I was looking at an Audigy2 ZS and was starting to get interested in it. It ain't necassarily pro but it is a dam good card. Then my door opens and my dad walks in with the exact Audigy2 card and said, "Have Fun.". BTW he knows about my problem so he was just being a dad and solved it for me LOL. So I guess my problem is solved unless this thing turns out to be horible. Thanx everyone for your input. Beer is on me!

When i was buying a card i was reading a revievs and it was everywhere that creative made a good card with audigy2 and while not as quite good for audio it was very good for gaming so i guess you gonna be ok
Good luck with it

The Soundstorm shines when you use the digital out with 5.1 in games. However the analog out is worthless.

Audigy2 is sounding great right now. I found a wonderful driver for it called kxproject. All the music I play through it sounds wonderful (ie. Bach Cello, Stevie Ray Vaughn, various rock). I'm very pleased with this card

The kxproject Drivers are cool for sure, I used them in the past too. But if it comes to games they are plain worthless cause they don't support ANY of the EAX sound technologies...

I would suggest to use the digital out of the Soundstorm. Hell, you bought an asus soundcard and got a free motherboard, you might as well use it.

Sell the Audigy's on ebay and buy a decent DAC.