X-Fi Titanium Optical or Analogue

Coolasmoo

Coolasmoo

Coolasmoo

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Ive got a set of Logitech Z906 5.1 speakers arriving soon and just wanted to be sure about the best way to connect them up to my X-Fi

I mainly use the PC for gaming so im guessing connecting through analogue would be better rather than using optical?
 
Coolasmoo said:
Ive got a set of Logitech Z906 5.1 speakers arriving soon and just wanted to be sure about the best way to connect them up to my X-Fi

I mainly use the PC for gaming so im guessing connecting through analogue would be better rather than using optical?
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Yep Optical all the way :) What model of Xfi have you got? If its an Xtreme Gamer/Music you'll need the Dolby DTS Live Pack (http://buy.soundblaster.com/_creati...ail&category=Software&pid=F2222DDN6Z2H2ADDEZD) to allow the XFi to decode sound in Dolby or DTS format. Only costs $5
 
try both and see for yourself.. you can use messy analog cables and use the soundcard's DAC or you can use the optical and use the speaker systems DAC (plus paying for the dolby\dts encoding)

id bet on optical sounding better
 
that doesn't appear to be on the list.

I have the z5500 speakers, looking at getting a pci-e card as I will be xfiring 6950s on the asrock extreme7 and the pci is blocked so can't use the xtreme game pci card I have. trying to decide between the d2x and titanium fatality(I have found it for ~£82 new). mainly gaming so would be interested to know what the best connection method is.
 
Your X-Fi has a very good DAC chip in it, and (at least on the face of it) an EMI shield, so it shouldn't pick up any noise from inside your case. Unless your speakers have a very good DAC chip indeed, I would use the analogue output on your X-Fi. I think it's a myth that external D/A conversion is always better, especially with the quality of DAC that's on decent soundcards these days.
 
From what I can gather, and im no expert on this

Using optical, the sound is Dolby Digital encoded by the sound card and not by the CPU

But without the encoding everything is sent in 2ch to the amp

Not sure what happens with the Analogue side of things yet :o

I take it if I did decide to go with DD encoding I would disable CMSS-3D (see below) :confused:

Uses a single digital cable connection - This ensures the integrity of the audio signal and eliminates the confusion, hassle and clutter of multiple analog and digital connections.
Transforms all PC audio signals into a Dolby Digital or DTS signal - This enables playback of PC audio over millions of home theater systems equipped with Dolby Digital or DTS decoding.
Optimized for low-latency interactive applications - No perceptible delay between video and audio in game play.
Provide realistic 5.1-channel surround sound effects during interactive video gameplay - Immerses PC and game console players in a highly realistic game experience
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