Best audio card with digital output ??

[MikeSp]

Previously, I have either used the audio that is onboard the motherboard or used a modest audio card for playing Web files and music through the computer's speaker system.

With a media server that will feed from an audio device of some sort via digital interconnect to my pre-pro that keeps everything in the digital domain until the DACs, I would appreciate recommendations as to the best audio device and I use the term "device" since I already assume from doing some reading that it cannot be a sound card inside the computer due to the digital noise present.

Recording is not a concern at all -- just the capability to send high bit-rate lossless audio files to my MX150 pre is my goal when I build a media server with a goal of at least matching the quality of Redbook CD's that were ripped to FLAC files.

Thoughts/opinions appreciated

Thanks,

MikeSp
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McIntosh MX150 prepro, 3 MC501 amps, 2 MC352 amps, Pioneer Elite Kuro display, Aerial Acoustics Model 9's for mains and CC5 for center, Def Tech BPVX/P side and BPVX rear surrounds, 2 Ref Supercube subs, PF1800 sub, SMS-1 Equalizer, Tivo Premiere XL, PS3, Basement dedicated HT room is slowly nearing completion...

 

[FrantzM]

Hi

This PAGE should help. The Web site from oiur WBF fellow Vincent Karsis a tresure Trove of Information on Digital Audio... Well written information and easy to find ...

If you want to shell $750 for a card then the Lynx is the front runner .. FYI there is a thread on the WBF about a Music Server .. Cost less than $600 and works extremely well

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?1201-Music-Server-Project

Also THIS from the Geneis Audio WebSite concerning the Music Server

 

[Vincent Kars]

Your options are
- SPDIF from the Mobo, most Mobo's do have a SPDIF header: http://projects.loetaffe.de/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=12
- Soundcard: IMHO you pay a lot for AD and DA conversion only to use the SPDIF out
- USB to SPDIF converter: http://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/USB_SPDIF.htm

Frantz: thanks for the kind words about my website

 

[steve williams]

we all feel the same way about your website Vincent. I use it as a reference on a frequent basis

 

[MikeSp]

WOW -- LOTS of valuable info -- many thanks!!!!
MikeSp

Hi

This PAGE should help. The Web site from oiur WBF fellow Vincent Karsis a tresure Trove of Information on Digital Audio... Well written information and easy to find ...

If you want to shell $750 for a card then the Lynx is the front runner .. FYI there is a thread on the WBF about a Music Server .. Cost less than $600 and works extremely well

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?1201-Music-Server-Project

Also THIS from the Geneis Audio WebSite concerning the Music Server

 

[amirm]

Not a cheaper option but I think looking forward, USB to S/PDIF converters might turn out to be the best options especially if the converter is locally powered.

The ancient pro audio cards really need to get buried .