Dell + jam 150 sound card advice

[charlie]

I need some basic advice on setting up a computer audio system as my experience is all on the Hi Fi side.

My brother has a new Dell PC with Windows 7 and the standard on integrated 7.1 channel sound. ie no separate sound card.

He has hooked up his £600 JAM150 guitar PA & speaker system. and now we need advice on sound cards for playing CD's and using Spotify professional version.

Am I right in that even a sub £100 sound card (music not gaming) will be a big improvement over the on board sound chip?

Secondly could I have some recommendations for a sound card available in the UK in the £50 to £150 range

Many Thanks
Charlie

[mrarroyo]

Hi Carlie, I would suggest you get a soundcard that has optical out as well as your typical 7.1 capability. I use a Chaintech AV-710.

I recommend the optical out because it will allow the option of streaming the digital files to an external DAC while electrically isolating the PC from the external DAC. Good luck.

[Deleted]

Aug 10, 2010 22:33:04 GMT mrarroyo said:

Hi Carlie, I would suggest you get a soundcard that has optical out as well as your typical 7.1 capability. I use a Chaintech AV-710.

I recommend the optical out because it will allow the option of streaming the digital files to an external DAC while electrically isolating the PC from the external DAC. Good luck.

Miguel
Given a decent soundcard and a good P.C.
Well implemented Coax SPDIF can outperform Optical SPDIF . Optical SPDIF is essentially coax format converted to optical. then converted back again at the receiver end. (Simplified !!)
Alex