Is a Analog to Digital converter a Must?

**Cardog** · 02-11-2004, 01:00 AM

Is there a sound card out there that will play mp3's to the optical out of the sound card or do you have to get a analog to digital converter. I have the Alpine PXA-H700 with optical inputs and want to know if I can hook up the computer directly to the Alpine DSP. I am the kinda of goofball that has 4) 12 disc changers and now resorting to building a mp3 player. Thanks for your help all.

**phc** · 02-11-2004, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by Cardog

Is there a sound card out there that will play mp3's to the optical out of the sound card or do you have to get a analog to digital converter. I have the Alpine PXA-H700 with optical inputs and want to know if I can hook up the computer directly to the Alpine DSP. I am the kinda of goofball that has 4) 12 disc changers and now resorting to building a mp3 player. Thanks for your help all.

Audigy NX has optical out.

**Cardog** · 02-11-2004, 08:23 AM

Let me rephrase my question. With a sound card that has optical out on it, can you set the card to play mp3's to play only to the optical out or is that only for sources with 5.1? And would I need to get an analog to digital converter then?

**craigyb** · 02-11-2004, 08:27 AM

Yes you can play Mp3's or anything else out of the digital out.

Some cards have the option ticked in the sound card properties.

Use digital out.

The stream will be 16bit 48khz I think...

Craig