HTPC Sound Card

[jcPanny]

I plan to set up a WinXP PC as a media server to play FLAC files through my HT system. Origionally I was planning on a cheap sound card with SPDIF like the chaintech:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829120103

However, I am considering spending a little more for an M-Audio or EMU card that will have better D/As than my receiver:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Audiophile2496-focus.html
http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?category=505&subcategory=491&product=10447&nav=technicalSpecifications

First, will the M-audio and EMU stereo sound cards pass a Dolby or DTS multichannel signal to the receiver through the digital outputs?

I would also appreciate feedback on any of the above cards.

[davee70]

I have the m-audio audiophile 2496 on my PC and am very happy with it. I cannot answer your question about DTS except to point you to what the m-audio product page says. I use it on 2 channel only, mainly to pass digital signal from my audio system to record on the PC. I also do some listening through the analog outs, mainly internet radio (RadioParadise has a new 192 stream that sounds incredible) and occasionally DVD-A's. While it does not compare with my trusty Onkyo single-bit CD player for sound quality, it does sound quite good despite the long cables I'm using. I would have stepped up to the Audiophile 192 that has balanced connectors but it requires WinXP which I don't have. Anyway, m-audio has a good reputation in the pro-audio market and the Audiophile 2496 has worked out well for me on my stereo set up.