Does this exist?

gcaster · 4 Apr 2011 at 17:49

I'm after a sound card to output 5.1 to an external amp over HDMI. Needs to be PCI-E (preferably X1).

I used to use a Xonar HDAV 1.3 Slim which was perfect but the new mobo doesn't have enough PCI slots.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks
G

Marsman · 4 Apr 2011 at 17:56

Some GFX cards can. AMD/ATi 5/6 series. Not sure which Nvidia cards can, someone will more than likely know which. What GFX card do you have?

IMO, using a sound card for passing audio via HDMI, is way too expensive really, especially when a GFX card can do it. After all, it's only passing on digital data.

gcaster · 4 Apr 2011 at 18:23

At the moment I'm using my 6950 to output the sound but it doesn't seem to be able to upscale stereo to 5.1. The old Xonar card took the output from iTunes and sent it to the amp as Dolby iirc.
The main problem is in iTunes as it's not using my sub, only the front left and right speakers.

james.miller · 4 Apr 2011 at 18:51

change your front speakers to small on the amp.

there are pci-e hdmi audio cards but marsman's already said it - they are far too expensive for what the offer.

Marsman · 4 Apr 2011 at 18:51

Would not your AV receiver upscale stereo to 5.1?

gcaster · 4 Apr 2011 at 21:52

Just about got it sorted now. Bit of a pain, never realised quite how good the software that came with the Xonar was.
Cheers for the help.

Marsman · 4 Apr 2011 at 23:00

I thought you had no PCI slots available though?

gcaster · 4 Apr 2011 at 23:19

No I don't, only PCI-E.
Was just saying it was a lot easier to get the sound how I wanted using the Xonar. If I were to buy another NVidia card I'd not be hesitating in buying a new one.