[gillbates]

I am looking for an audio card with optical output, but dont need any other audio interface. Is my only choice audigy 2 or are there cheaper alternatives ?

 

[Kayle]

Searching on this forum should get you a number of alternatives. Here's one:

Chaintech AV710 -- $27 at Newegg.

 

[Sarah Baucom]

 M-Audio makes some cards with optical output. They also have USB and FireWire options (the USB Sonica and Transit are MSRP $69 and $99 respectively, but can be found for much less).