HDMI/Optical For Music

[Diamondog]

My question is, I have a large lossless collection on my PC. I have finally got a setup in place that is worthy. I will be running a Denon 4308CI, with Axiom M80's and VP150 cntr. I currently have an Auzentech X-FI Forte audio card in my PC. I will be running the card to my Denon receiver via optical cable. I will be using the PC for lossless music and also movies (not blu-ray). Auzentech has a new audio card out I am interested in but am not sure if it will add any benefit, it has an HDMI port so I'd be able to run HDMI to the receiver instead of optical. There is no intention of doing blu-ray from the PC, I have a PS3 for that. That being said, will there be any sound quality improvement for music via an HDMI cable over the optical?

 

[ljaggers]

I would say that unless you intend on adding a blu-ray drive to your PC there is no reason to get the new card and run HDMI to the receiver. An optical cable has plenty enough bandwidth to transfer your high-res audio files

 

[fightinkraut]

The only thing I might add is that optical digital cannot carry hi resolution audio like 24/196 FLAC files. If you files are all CD quality you will be fine with a toslink or something similar.

 

[Knucklehead90]

If all of your music is standard CD rips - no SACDs then a new sound card isn't needed - unless you want to play movies from the PC to your AVR and display. HDMI will - or should - give you lossless audio content such as the new DD HD and DTS HD formats. Better to stick with a stand alone Blu Ray player IMO.

For music if you wish to get the best possible sound quality use the L/R analog outlets provided with your sound card - the plug adapter that came with it. FWIW I doubt you'll notice much difference between optical and analog. I've play flac files from my HTPC both ways to see if I could hear a difference. It seems apparent to me that optical/coax has enough bandwidth to carry the signal just fine.