5.1 Surround on PC

craigxt22 · 4 Feb 2011 at 17:16

Hi guys,

I would like to turn my PC into a HTPC.

I have a question regarding sound cards:

Are the external 5.1 sound cards any good for surround sound when watching Blu Rays? - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-082-CL&groupid=701&catid=1925&subcat=

Would buying a decent one compete with the sound from an AV receiver?

I have a fairly decent Hi Fi setup that I would connect to the card btw! (NAD amp, MA RX2 speakers)

chaparral · 4 Feb 2011 at 17:49

craigxt22 said:
Would buying a decent one compete with the sound from an AV receiver?

You can't compare the two as there totally different

AV Receivers have built in amps to power speakers

PC Soundcards have no built in amp and have only pre-outs

craigxt22 · 4 Feb 2011 at 17:59

chaparral said:
You can't compare the two as there totally different

AV Receivers have built in amps to power speakers

PC Soundcards have no built in amp and have only pre-outs

Yeah, I would use the pre-outs to go to separate Hi Fi amps.

Do they process the sound as well is what I meant to ask?