Best digital output card

[NWAudiophile]

I built a Windows-based music server that feeds directly to my DAC. I learned that digital output from the motherboard produces miserable results, so I installed a Sound Blaster Audigy 5/Rx that has optical and coaxial output, and it's much better, especially when I select Bit Accurate Playback. That left me wondering if there is another level I can attain with a different card. I think I have a general idea why the Sound Blaster is superior to the motherboard's output, but I have no idea whether one sound card would be better than another with respect to digital output. Thoughts? Experiences?

 

[AnalogJoe]

The Sound Blaster is just fine, specially if its only spitting out digital audio, some here might think differently. The word clock might make a difference, how much is up to you but I wouldn't worry to much about it, the quality of the DAC is much more important.

 

[NWAudiophile]

Thanks. My DAC is a Bel Canto 3.7, so I'm aiming high.

 

[MarcelvdG]

The word clock might make a difference, how much is up to you but I wouldn't worry to much about it, the quality of the DAC is much more important.

I agree with you. The quality of the clocks can make a difference when you use an I2S interface and a DAC that doesn't suppress the jitter of the source, but considering that NWAudiophile is using the S/PDIF or Toslink interface, I don't think that applies here.

 

[phofman]

IMO word/bit clock is mainly used for distribution of clock-synchronized SPDIF signal. Such setup does not need PLL clock recovery at SPDIF receiver and the precise clock can be used instead, clocking the synchronous incoming signal out from a short FIFO.

 

[hifipisti]

RME HDSPE AIO

 

[weissi]

RME Digiface is the cheapest "Pro" Solution in case you only need SPDIF...

 

[Marcel65]

Pink Faun, JCat, SoTM and others make PCIe output cards in various formats (I2S, S/PDIF, USB-which I'd avoid)

perhaps you want to try Daphile, it can work from a USB stick to evaluate, sounds very good and is bitperfect. I left W for audio some years ago, never looked back.

 

[wefsja]

Back in days i had one usb card, cannot tell you right now what brand it was but i could not make it work with in-audio.. Maybe my pc was ****.... but. Just my experience!