I do not like the Extigy solution. I guess its OK for a single dedicated, unshared listening environment. It is best to convert digital to analog, and low power to high power, as close to the speakers as possible. Inevitably, you want multiple listening locations, and simultaneous independent music choices. Since Extigy is driven by a USB connection it is limited. IMHO, the $150 is better spent on devices that include 1- a cheap Ehernet chip (less than $10) and high quality MP3 decoder chip (also only a few dollars). Dell embraced this approach when they self branded the Rio Home Receiver.
This was recently being sold by Tiger Direct for $99.
Because it has a display, ethernet chip, and decoding capabilities, such a device can be place close to the speakers and allow each user to independently share a large KingSparta-like library. There is even software that would allow driving such a device directly.
[former member]
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Topic: Sound Blaster Extigy (Read 978 times)