Best soundcard for use with amplifier?

[jmhduck]

Hi guys,

I recently bought myself a Yamaha RX-V100D receiver and some Mission M71i speakers off here.

I currently just have my onboard laptop soundcard and I'm looking for something better.

What would you guys recommend, are there any good usb soundcards? I'm currently thinking a usb soundcard with optical out would be good, as that would be more versatile.

I am planning on building myself a new rig when I get back to the UK so I could get an internal soundcard if they're a lot better.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mossym]

if you go optical out any cheap card will do, only reason to go for an expensive card is if you want high quality dacs for analog out

 

[jmhduck]

Okay I assume there's no point in getting an expensive card then as I guess the DACs should be good in my AV system?

 

[mossym]

Okay I assume there's no point in getting an expensive card then as I guess the DACs should be good in my AV system?

that would be the assumption, yes

 

[jmhduck]

Cool thanks for the help . Are there any cards you'd recommend that're cheap. Would something like this do the trick?

 

[mossym]

Cool thanks for the help . Are there any cards you'd recommend that're cheap. Would something like this do the trick?

i have the older version of that card, and while i don't use it anymore, it works just fine

 

[jmhduck]

Okay thanks

 

[jmhduck]

I've just been recommended using a seperate DAC, any thoughts on this?

 

[dogbert]

The yamaha has a rather good DAC already - it's probably not the weakest link in your hifi chain. Before you go buying an external DAC, save the money for better speakers / room calibration kits etc.

 

[jmhduck]

The yamaha has a rather good DAC already - it's probably not the weakest link in your hifi chain. Before you go buying an external DAC, save the money for better speakers / room calibration kits etc.

Okay that's good to know I've already bought a usb soundcard with optical output and decided against an external DAC, thanks anyway it's good to have my opinion confirmed .