I'm interested in a new sound card which will be used mainly for sending s/pdif to a hifi, and possibly multichannel s/pdif to Logitech speakers. I would also like to use it to facilitate the conversion of laserdisc to dvd via s/pdif. I've searched this forum and found much support for m-audio e-juli@ (and others) but am not able to locate a local dealer of said products.

In one of the posts somebody mentioned the bluegears b-enspirer, and I've read some decent reviews for the auzentech x-meridian and there's a new one, the Sondigo Inferno which I've recently seen on sale at a local shop.

Of the 3 products mentioned, (auzentech, bluegears and sondigo), does anyone have any opinions on their quality? I doubt I'll ever use the analog output, or that I'm not so concerned with it's quality since I'll be using the s/pdif output instead and at least for the higher quality output.

Also..I've noticed a problem which I suspect is related to the wireless network card I use, that causes "dropouts" to appear in the digital output stream of my existing built-in audio, and worse yet I have after a few minutes of play, a failure to keep lock with my adcom dac which can only be rectified by shutting down and then trying later only to happen everytime I use my pc that way.

Thank you for your comments in advance...

wow...110 views and not a reply?...lol...could it be you're all speachless after such a heavy post?...lol

I'd really like to hear a comment regarding interaction between wireless network cards and sound cards as that's the reason I'm shopping for a sound card in the first place...thanks

E-MU 0404 has bitperfect S/PDIF but it might be too expensive if you don't need analogue converters, just a spdif interface. Some users on HA claim that Chaintech AV-710 has bitperfect S/PDIF, but I personally have zero experience with it.

yes, I've heard people rave about the chaintech, only about $25 too...I really should consider that option as well. Why spend money on analog output if I rarely or never use it?

I suppose I'd appreciate the odd analog conversion from cassette or vinyl, and therefore will probably aim higher than the chaintech, but I really didn't want to spend more than $100....I think what I'll do first is reinstall windows on that machine to see if the problem with the lock to the dac's input is recitified as that is driving me to seek out a soundcard in the first place.

oh and I should've mentioned I'd like vista compatibility....and this is where only reliable drivers will do....