digital out on sound card (sq)

I'm using the coax digital output on my sound card to send music to my receiver, a denon avr-1906.

Would a new/better sound card increase the sound quality? It seems that since its not doing any digital to analog conversions itself but instead outputting the digital, that its not contributing to poor sound quality at all. I believe I have an integrated Realtek AC'97.

If a new card would be better, what should I look at?

I'm not opposed to outputting analog stereo from the card to my amp, but it just doesn't seem like the dac's could really compete with my receiver. Lemme know if I'm wrong.

Thanks in advance

That's what I thought, now how much would I need to spend, if it's even possible, to get better dac's in the card than the receiver, and output analog? (I only want 2 channel)

It's a pretty long run, 50' ish, from my computer to receiver. Does an analog signal lose more than a digital over a run like that, given decent cables?

Thanks

I didn't know analog inputs went to digital and then back to analog inside the receiver. Is it for some sort of signal processing, like bass and treble gain? I have a "direct" mode, could that bypass the double conversion?

Thanks

would something like this help?

http://www.audiomagus.com/index.php?...mart&Itemid=27

Do you hear obvious fault in your system before trying something new?

I agree that if I did hear a hum or hissing or something, I would be more adamant about upgrading, but I just feel the bug.

No, I don't know its the denon. I do think it is my "source" though, including my mp3's and soundcard as one unit. Because I can't do anything about the mp3's, soundcard seemed like the way to go.

Thanks for all the replies

when it comes to the bands I really like, I have no problem doing this. can you link me to the software I'd need? What are the differences between them? Will they run in wmp?

Is there a "big" diy room treatment site I can browse?

Thanks again