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[harrydr]

Want buy a sound card any recommendations. windows 8 64bit mc18 5.1 speakers

[pcstockton]

Despite its age I really like the ESI Juli@.

[kstuart]

Is the sound card for a 5.1 setup ?

In my case, I use two sound cards - one for stereo music, and one for 5.1 surround - because anything that is high quality, that works on 5.1 is thousands of dollars.

Actually, for 5.1 surround, I just use the audio built-in to the PC's motherboard, and pass the DTS or AC3 directly to my A/V receiver using SP/DIF.

For stereo music, I like:

http://hirestech.com

[pcstockton]

I missed the 5.1 note.

For this I still use an M-Audio Transit  (USB to Toslink) into my Yamaha HTR.

-patrick

[DoubtingThomas]

Does the sound card make any difference if using a digital optical or coax out?  The sound card's D/A converters are bypassed.

[sla]

If you have any receiver... then I suggest either HDMI output or SPDIF (either built in or as separate audio card)...

I think it would be pretty weird to run 6 speakers (5.1) straight out of your computer, unless your receiver does not have any digital input... [but then you can buy good but old stand alone video-processor for 5.1 [ebay 50-200] I can give you the models...]

But you will need to let us know your constraints? How is your setup going to look like?

[sla]

Does the sound card make any difference if using a digital optical or coax out?  The sound card's D/A converters are bypassed.

yes it may. There are many "digital only" cards [RME].

For instance on board COAX/TOSLINK or cheap cards can have a lot of jitter...which degrades the sound [at least on audiophile level], for casual listening to movies that is probably ok.

[mrfx]

yes it may. There are many "digital only" cards [RME].

For instance on board COAX/TOSLINK or cheap cards can have a lot of jitter...which degrades the sound [at least on audiophile level], for casual listening to movies that is probably ok.

RME are cards designed for audio recording and ASIO, where low latency is important (for live recording/playback) and low jitter is also recommended because many hardware (compressors, delays and other analog and dsp effects and processors) connected toghether multiplying the jitter during recording and post production.
.
AFAIK DAC's of "audiophile level" uses asynchronous USB. Any other (HDMI, SPDIF) high quality DAC has PLL circuit and it's own high grade quartz master clock, so they are jitter immune. In other case if one use  mediocre audio system why bother about jitter. 

[Jargon]

An Asus Essence ST + H6 card is a good low cost option but if you want top D/A conversion (and not only) a Metric Halo LIO-8 is at the other and a top choice but $$$$.

[Mikkel]

If for digital audio: use the onboard output of your motherboard (preferably HDMI because it can transfer larger data rates thus better quality in more channels).

If for analog and you can live with a consumer card unquestionably the Asus Xonar Essence ST (+ the H6 board) is one of the absolutely best cards. The RMAA tests are even better than the published specs and the sound is phenomenal.


Best regards,
Mikkel