Hi all,
I have recently recieved a non-Platinum Audigy 2 as a gift. It lack digital ins and I am looking out for a low cost digital in solution, either as an extension to the Audigy 2 or standalone (not another card, perhaps via USB or FireWire) I wold essential need one or two SPDIF optical digital ins nothing more. The Audigy 2 drive is way too expensive and has far more connectors than I will ever need.
Any help is greatly appreciated!

Hoontech makes digital i/o extension brackets for Soundblasters. But they're as expensive as a cheap second soundcard, and the Audigy2 still hasn't got bit-exact digital i/o's.

If input upto 48kHz is sufficient for you, try e.g. Terratec Aureon Fun.

edit: I saw your remark about rather having usb or so, but realize that that is way more expensive.

could you please point me out to cheap second soundcards that have good inputs? I am looking to find something like a digital-in only card, leaving the listening to be done through the Audigy...

WinFast 6X is based on the C-Media 8738 chip. It has both coax and optical digital in+out. All analog connectors and the coax-optical are gold coated. 24 bit sound card. Can output in both 44k and 48k. Priced at $20 - certainly cheap. Analog out could be better. Special drivers required to play under WinXP.

That's cool. The Aureon Fun has the same chip, same features, but it's twice as expensive. I had never heard of that Winfast card (Leadtek I presume?). Even a budget-brand like Trust doesn't sell it's CMI8738 card at such a price.

http://www.americas.creative.com/products/...4&maincategory= could try that but its PCI and cost $60