Why do none of the good sound cards come with optical out?

sniper007 · 20 Feb 2008 at 14:09

I might be reading the Specs wrong, but I'm thinking of getting a mid spec sound card around the £50 range possibly lower if possible, and they all appear to have only a few connections on the back for line out, mic etc. I'm confused as to why people would spend £50+ on an extreme gamer / xi-fi sound card and not have co-axial / optical output. I'm really after one with co-axial output but still needs to be a good card. i..e THIS CARD. Does it come with one? What does everyone else do? Use on board AND their sound card. I want to completely move away from onboard if possible.

Also whats the differecne between the card linked above and THIS ONE

Greenlizard0 · 20 Feb 2008 at 15:08

The Fata1ty front bay has a few optical out connections on it - but aye it is weird that few sound cards appear to have one as standared in the back...

monkeyspank · 20 Feb 2008 at 15:41

Because creative don't want you to use an AV amp, they want you to buy their speakers.

Look at Auzentechs cards instead, their cheapest one is about £65 and does DD live and DTS encoding on the fly.

bigredshark · 20 Feb 2008 at 15:53

You could try reading the manufacturers website, where it says clearly under the specs "supported with the optional digital IO module" - http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?product=1780&category=1

It's fairly unusual because they expect you to use PC speakers with yoru PC, which don't generally have digital IO and because if you are using digital (assuming you're not applying effects) then it matters less about the sound card because it's just passing through a digital signal and digital to analogue conversion is being done by your reciever or whatever.

sosrandom · 20 Feb 2008 at 18:16

Well the cheaper cards only come with the basic stuff, 5.1/7.1 connector and the 26 Pin thing does the other stuff, there isn't enough room to fit all of the many types of connectors onto 1 card.

Have a look at HT Omega CLARO 7.1-Channel Sound Card, more expensive tho, doesnt have EAX 5 if that bothers you, or the Auzentech X-Meridian, still more expensive than the X-Fi music.