Need suggestion for Optical Sound Card

[Xirix]

So I'm finally letting my Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 go, it had a good run.. but I need an upgrade.

Essentially I'm looking for a soundcard as good, or better than the Live! 5.1, that includes a Microphone port, and the most important bit. Optical Toslink In.

I want to be able to play my Computer's sound through my Pioneer HTP-GS1.

I did come across this "http://www.techstore.co.uk/detail_37051.html" But there's a few offputting negative reviews.

I'm not willing to pay too much, perhaps £50ish at best, unfortunately the only card I've found so far is PCI-E.. which my computer cannot support.

But then I came across the Auzentech HDA X-Plosion, if I plugged it into my Pioneer HTP-GS1 sound system through optical would it output proper surround sound?

And for those who have this card, how's the sound for videos and gaming? I would assume it's going to be better than my 2003 Creative Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 in everyway possible, but I just want to make sure.

[muds270]

hi im looking to do the same connect with my xbox 360 system however im on a budget!

[Pockymonster]

Here are a few suggestions. I personally am using the Claro because I got a good deal on it, buts its pricey. If you don't care about front audio connector support (headphone and mic on front of case) then go for the turtle beach montego ddl because its is the cheapest and will suit your needs. If you need the front panel connector support get the Striker. The only difference between the claro and the striker is that its got a newer chip and just a few more features.


http://www.htomega.com/striker.html

http://www.htomega.com/claro.html

http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/mtgoddl/home.aspx

A note about 5.1 sound. These cards WILL NOT decode Dolby Digital or DTS because "For licensing and copyright protection purposes, soundcard manufacturers
are effectively prevented from adding DD/DTS decoders to their products. " (http://support.turtlebeach.com/site/.../588318928.asp)

So if you hook up the Xbox 360 (which I do) you will only beable to decode Dolby Digital Stereo (2 channels). However you CAN pass the full Dolby Digital or DTS signal THROUGH the sound card to the toslink out to a reciever that can decode it.

[DrMekon]

I liked this card so much, I got 2... have 2 pcs connected to my receiver via optical cables.. sound is awesome...!!

http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-plosion.php

Auzen X-Plosion 7.1 is the most anticipated "World first", high quality, Dolby® Digital Live and DTS Connect logo certified soundcard for your PC. It sounds phenomenal and is feature rich.

It has been around for a couple of years now, and I got my second one for about £60.. they do offer higher spec cards, but this was ideal for me...

OOOPS.. didnt read some of your post, where you mention this card....

I have a Yamaha 2600 av receiver which handles the output of this card for games/movies etc.. and is excellent for DD/DTS soundtracks.... you wont regret it!!

[meansizzler]

Originally Posted by DrMekon

I liked this card so much, I got 2... have 2 pcs connected to my receiver via optical cables.. sound is awesome...!!

http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-plosion.php

It has been around for a couple of years now, and I got my second one for about £60.. they do offer higher spec cards, but this was ideal for me...

For £20 more you can get a whole mobo with Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect

[DrMekon]

Ive never been a lover of onboard sound, having a dedicated card is always going to proivde better quality audio IMO...