I would like to build an HTPC to use for high-quality audio output as well as TV and DVD watching, but I don't fully understand some of the audio handling issues. I've been looking at the Lynx, M-Audio, RME and ESI cards for high-quality 24/96 or 24/192 output, but don't want to buy anything until I really understand a little more first.
1. Can you hook the output of a sound card DAC directly to your power amp? Are there any issues controlling the output level for multi-channel formats (e.g. a single volume slider that brings up all channels proportionally)? I'd like to eliminate my pre/pro if possible since it won't be providing much functionality in conjunction with an HTPC.
2. For DVD playback, how can I perform Dolby Digital and DTS decoding? Is this done by the DVD player software, or does it have to be a function of the sound card?
3. How can I get a "matrix" mode for synthesizing rear-channel information from 2-channel stereo input? (e.g. my pre/pro does this now).
4. If I do need to keep my pre/pro for DTS decoding or other reasons, what do I need for digital audio passthrough? I've heard that SPDIF only handles 2 channels, not 5.1.
5. Can DVD Audio decoding be done by DVD player software, or do you need a card like the Audigy2 to do this?
6. Are there any motherboards with build-in audio that will allow uncorrupted 5.1 digital passthrough? What is AC97 (I assume it's low-quality and should be avoided).
7. I've heard a number of people claim that digital-to-analog conversion really has no place inside a computer cabinet because of all the spurious electrical noise there. I can't help but feel this is bunk and audiophile elitism for a number of reasons: (1) many musicians and recording studios have moved over to complete PC-based digital recording with high-quality sound cards without sacrificing quality, and (2) many sound card tests have demonstrated excellent quality results from sound cards measured in PC environments -- low noise, jitter lower than many audiophile components ( http://www.pcavtech.com/soundcards/compare/index.htm ).
8. I've heard that when using an ATI All-in-Wonder video card, it isn't possible to send the TV tuner's audio bitstream to your sound card's DAC for analog output. You're stuck with sending the digital audio out the AIWs outputs. Can anyone confirm that?
9. Is there a good primer on configuring PC audio, sound cards, drivers and applications?
Thanks very much,
Nu
1. Can you hook the output of a sound card DAC directly to your power amp? Are there any issues controlling the output level for multi-channel formats (e.g. a single volume slider that brings up all channels proportionally)? I'd like to eliminate my pre/pro if possible since it won't be providing much functionality in conjunction with an HTPC.
2. For DVD playback, how can I perform Dolby Digital and DTS decoding? Is this done by the DVD player software, or does it have to be a function of the sound card?
3. How can I get a "matrix" mode for synthesizing rear-channel information from 2-channel stereo input? (e.g. my pre/pro does this now).
4. If I do need to keep my pre/pro for DTS decoding or other reasons, what do I need for digital audio passthrough? I've heard that SPDIF only handles 2 channels, not 5.1.
5. Can DVD Audio decoding be done by DVD player software, or do you need a card like the Audigy2 to do this?
6. Are there any motherboards with build-in audio that will allow uncorrupted 5.1 digital passthrough? What is AC97 (I assume it's low-quality and should be avoided).
7. I've heard a number of people claim that digital-to-analog conversion really has no place inside a computer cabinet because of all the spurious electrical noise there. I can't help but feel this is bunk and audiophile elitism for a number of reasons: (1) many musicians and recording studios have moved over to complete PC-based digital recording with high-quality sound cards without sacrificing quality, and (2) many sound card tests have demonstrated excellent quality results from sound cards measured in PC environments -- low noise, jitter lower than many audiophile components ( http://www.pcavtech.com/soundcards/compare/index.htm ).
8. I've heard that when using an ATI All-in-Wonder video card, it isn't possible to send the TV tuner's audio bitstream to your sound card's DAC for analog output. You're stuck with sending the digital audio out the AIWs outputs. Can anyone confirm that?
9. Is there a good primer on configuring PC audio, sound cards, drivers and applications?
Thanks very much,
Nu