Hello all,
unfortunately my first post isn't something witty or profound but rather a (most likely dumb) question. I have upgraded my sound card from an Audigy LS to an M-Audio 5.1. What I was wondering is, if all hardware settings are the same, will I gain any improvement in my mp3's quality (ripped with EAC --alt-preset standard) by reripping them with my new card?

I am sure this is an elementary knowledge, but I am not sure just how significant the role of the sound card is on initial encoding.

Thanks in advance for you responses

-rockdog

No. The sound card is not in the signal path of ripping from CD to MP3.

Thanks!
that's as I figured, but it's always nice to be sure

It's worth noting that if you are recording something using the sound card - eg LPs or radio broadcasts - then the sound card can make a very perceptible difference in quality. But you're going to know if you're in that situation.

I guess deep down I am just looking for something to do with my new card, playback will have to do for now i suppose

get a headphone amp, hear ENHANCED playback

Nowadays, (consumer-)soundcards usually only differ in the following:

- playback quality (almost every soundcard nowadays is at least "okay")
- recording-quality (has nothing to do with ripping)
- number of inputs/outputs
- driver-quality and -support (dont underestimate this one)
- support for various multichannel-technologies (games, movies)
- (with external soundcards) size, connection-type, control-knobs
- price

If playback-soundquality is your primary concern, then invest in better speakers, not in a better soundcard. If you did that already, then next invest into silencing your PC-fans(to lower the noisefloor).