Analogue vs Digital

[escribblings]

I am not entirely sure this is the right forum, please move if not.

My PC currently has on board Realtek ALC1150. I am looking at maybe adding a discrete sound card, but that is another matter.

I also am using the Cambridge Soundworks Digital Desktop Theatre DTT3500.

With the ALC1150, would I be better passing analogue 5.1 into the DTT or digital?

I am guessing that by passing a digital signal, it would use the DAC (and AMP?) inside the DTT, but if I passed the analogue it would use the on board DAC. Is this a correct assumption?

 

[americanaudiophile]

Your assumptions are correct. Which one would sound better is hard to say. Whichever has better dac/processor. Only way to tell is try both.

 

[escribblings]

OK.

I will look into the technical details of the ALC1150 on my Sabertooth Z87 and my DTT3500

Assuming I decide to use the digital output and let the DTT handle the DAC, would there be any benefit to discrete cards over on board? Or would that kind of difference only really come to light on the analogue side due to the difference in DAC quality?

Thanks.

 

[escribblings]

Answered this now. Thank you.

Despite the DTT being quite old now, it is likely that it's DAC is better than an on-board one. However a discrete card might be better still.

Despite the fact that a discrete DAC might be better than the DTT's, the fact the DTT only supports 4 channel analogue input (which it upmixes to 5.1) means that it is likely that certain scenarios will make either one the better option.

In fact, one person does just this and uses both analogue and digital inputs from his Soundblaster Z depending on his requirements. (http/www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2004030/board-sound-discrete-sound-card-add.html)

[Quote edited for formatting]

Glad to see there are still other users of DTT3500 out there.

Until recently I had tried the onboard sound on my Asrock H77M and although it was good it wasn't as good as when I used my Creative 5.1 gamer card. That packed up a month ago and I bought a creative OEM Z card (no microphone). The difference is amazing.

I have tried various combinations of inputs from the card to the DTT3500 and find the best connections are to use the spdif out and the l-r front line out and l-r rear out. Then set DTT3500 to Fourpoint/optical/line in/digital in.

I have in the past had problems getting enough volume to the 2 rear speakers. With it set up like this I can actually hear the 2 rears now. All my speakers are about 1.5 metres from where I usually sit, apart from the front right which is about .5 meter and I have altered to setting in the Z board control panel.

I daresay that the DTT 3500 will pass away one day as it has been in constant use for about 12 years now. Best of luck. Any problems give me a shout!