In short, I'm looking for the best stereo sound I can get from my Linux system---the main use will be listening to my CD collection (ripped as FLAC). A specific question: if using digital output, is there a difference (sound quality-wise) between optical/toslink and coaxial? Say my soundcard can output both via optical and coax, and my amp also supports both inputs: any reason to choose one over the other? Also, if I'm looking at pure digital output, is there a quality difference between sound card models? My understanding is quite naive (and certainly incomplete!) but it seems like if the software (flac123, mpd, whatever) converts the FLAC code to a digital audio signal, the sound card doesn't really have any work to do. In other words, my motherboard (Abit IP35 Pro) has an optical SPDIF output for its Intel HD Audio system. Would this be any better/worse than, say, a Chaintech AV-710 with optical out (which I'm using in another PC), or an MAudio Audiophile 2496 coax SPDIF output? My understanding has always been that "digital is digital", but after doing some reading today, I'm not so sure that's true. In general, in addition to answering the above questions, I'm kind of looking to continue this thread I found, "Best card for bitperfect SPDIF I/O": http://www.mail-archive.com/alsa-user@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/msg21140.html Some general comments/open-ended questions: - I have an MAudio Audiophile 2496. I was using its analog (RCA) outputs to an amp, and then on to some speakers. I noticed a crackling sound in one of the speakers---I've literally changed everything after the sound card (cable, amp, speaker wire, speakers) and the crackling persists. So either I have a bunk card or there's too much RF noise in my case. - I switched back to the onboard Intel HDA chip, and am using its analog output. I *thought* I heard a little bit of crackling last night (but I need to do more listening to verify this). Certainly the analog sound from the integrated chip isn't as good as the MAudio (crackling aside). - It is for the above two reasons that I am looking at going the digital route---if my case is internally noisy, shouldn't digital avoid these problems? - In general, are there any Linux "audiophiles" out there (i.e. using your Linux system as your audio source)? How do you get the signal (analog or digital) out of the computer and into your amp? Thanks, Matt ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This SF.net email is sponsored by the 2008 JavaOne(SM) Conference Don't miss this year's exciting event. There's still time to save $100. Use priority code J8TL2D2. http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;198757673;13503038;p?http://java.sun.com/javaone _______________________________________________ Alsa-user mailing list Alsa-user@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/alsa-user
