[AndyS]

After the usual bout of messing around with my Revo I've decided that it's time for it to go in the parts bin. I need a simple S/PDIF output card that I can use instead. Does anyone have a suggestion?


Andy.

 

[AndyS]

In fact, let's remove "simple" and "cheap" from the equation. If anyone has an alternative that they think is worth looking at please let me know.


Andy.

 

[stanger89]

Chaintek AV-710

 

[wormzer]

I was going to do the same thing, but found that through using ASIO4All, I could get ASIO-over-digital through the revo. I believe this has been proven to work with DTS wav tests on another thread. I was just about to chaintek it myself when I realized it wasn't so bad and I could keep my better 7.1 DACs onboard for gaming and such.


matt

 

[AndyS]

It's not that I'm having an issue with the sound quality of the Revo, it's the flakiness of the drivers that bugs me. I was getting intermittent crashes when using the control-panel, so I updated the driver yesterday to the latest version and suddenly I couldn't pass audio from SageTV via S/PDIF anymore - only analog. I'm just tired of the constant issues I've been having with the card. Hardware-wise this is a great card. It's really let down by the drivers though IMHO.


Andy.

 

[stanger89]

The latest Revo drivers seem worse to me, I've had the best luck with these:
http://www.m-audio.com/images/global...o_1024_web.exe

 

[AndyS]

It's worth a shot I guess. I went from 1015 to 1028. I just ordered a Chaintek from NewEgg ($22 + tax, no shipping). Even if I get something else that's a great price for a reasonable sound-card.


I'll play with 1024 and let you know how I get on. In the meantime I'm still interested in any opinions about sound cards in HTPCs using S/PDIF.


Andy.

 

[wormzer]

Wow that's bad. Knock on wood, I've had no trouble. I wonder if this is a chipset issue? Chaintech is definitely the way I was headed for ~ $22 with good 2 channel DAC and good sp/dif. I don't know about driver stability as many people are actually flashing with different BIOS to use prodigy 7.1 drivers...


matt

 

[AndyS]

Quote:

Originally posted by wormzer ... many people are actually flashing with different BIOS to use prodigy 7.1 drivers...

That's certainly something I might look into later, but for now I'll be happy just to have a solidly-performing sound-card. Not to stray off course here, but is there any value in using the Prodigy drivers if I'm using S/PDIF?


Andy.

 

[garcia21]

I would say the Chaintech AV710 flashed to Prodigy 7.1 is the way to go. I have no regrets "spending" $25 on this card. You just cant beat bit perfect playback at a cost of $25. No upsampling rocks! The only problem is losing analog out when flashing the card but if all you need is the SPDIF out then you should be fine.

 

[darklordjames]

 http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=327

andyS - try the VIA reference drivers for the Envy24HT-S with your Revo. it should be just like using the Chaintech AV-710, but you still have the better Revo DACs. then you can use ASIO4ALL to get ASIO over SPDIF i'm not absolutely sure it will work, but it *should* work. it's worth a try at least!


either way, buying an AV-710 was a good choice. it will be a great addition to any computer.

 

[AndyS]

Quote:

Originally posted by darklordjames http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=327 andyS - try the VIA reference drivers for the Envy24HT-S with your Revo. it should be just like using the Chaintech AV-710, but you still have the better Revo DACs. then you can use ASIO4ALL to get ASIO over SPDIF i'm not absolutely sure it will work, but it *should* work. it's worth a try at least! either way, buying an AV-710 was a good choice. it will be a great addition to any computer.

Thanks for the input. I'm wading my way through your excellent thread about the Envy24HT-S - expect a PM from me in the near future!


Andy.

 

[darklordjames]

another thing i thought of. it may be possible to flash the Revo to a Prodigy. just make sure you drop the Revo EEPROM to a file and get it to me so i can add it to the Prodigy flash pack.

 

[IronForge]

Quote:

Originally posted by wormzer Wow that's bad. Knock on wood, I've had no trouble. I wonder if this is a chipset issue? Chaintech is definitely the way I was headed for ~ $22 with good 2 channel DAC and good sp/dif. I don't know about driver stability as many people are actually flashing with different BIOS to use prodigy 7.1 drivers... matt

I'm not sure why people are flashing their chaintech AV-710... I get DD passed to my receiver with just using the latest VIA Envy24 drivers... works great..

 

[mdryja]

For about 80 bucks, you can get an Edirol UA-1D digital audio USB capture box that includes spdif and optical out. I use this for SPDIF without any problems. Actually just plugged it in, Windows recognized it as a USB audio device (Win2K), and music was playing 10 seconds later! No mess, no fuss.

 

[stanger89]

Quote:

Originally posted by AndyS It's worth a shot I guess. I went from 1015 to 1028. I just ordered a Chaintek from NewEgg ($22 + tax, no shipping). Even if I get something else that's a great price for a reasonable sound-card. I'll play with 1024 and let you know how I get on. In the meantime I'm still interested in any opinions about sound cards in HTPCs using S/PDIF. Andy.

Yeah, I was having trouble with the 1028 drivers, they'd get stuck in DD/Data mode so I couldn't play anything else. The 1024 drivers have been working just fine though.

 

[Ursa]

The actual Audiotrak Prodigy can be had from Flordiamusiccompany.com for ~$100.


Later,

Bill

 

[Axel]

AndyS;

I trust your mobo does not have onboard audio...

For S/PDIF out this is usually sufficient (and in my case with an ASUS mobo works flawless as compare to my now retired M-Audio Delta 410).

_____

Axel

 

[AndyS]

I do have onboard audio, but 2-ch. analog-only. No S/PDIF.


Andy.

 

[Axel]

Quote:

Originally posted by AndyS I do have onboard audio, but 2-ch. analog-only. No S/PDIF. Andy.

Too bad! This won't do any good.

____

Axel