Optical or Analog?

[lemings]

I recently just got the z5500 system.I have it running by analog connected into my x-fi xtreme music.My motherboard has a built in optical port, so my question, would it be better to stick with analog or would it be better to go optical using onboard? Or is there a way I can use the built in optical and route it to my x-fi?

Thanks in advance,
Lemings

[bchur83]

Analog will allow you to get 5.1 with games and stereo audio if you have your sound card setup right. With Optical digital, only audio Pass-Through from DVD software will give you 5.1, everything else will be 2 channel.

[ratbuddy]

You pretty much have to listen for yourself. Depends on which device has the better DAC. Being a digital stream, it ain't really going to matter whether it's coming from your mobo or the Xfi.. Whatever device has a better sounding DAC (to YOUR ears) is the one you should use.

[Stillhouse]

Movies: Digital

Since the X-Fi no longer have hardware DD/DTS decoding, you might be better off letting your 5500s do the decoding.

Games: Analog

EAX effects for games will only work through analog connections.

Music: Either

I prefer analog for music, but every cat to their own kick.

[lemings]

Thanks for the help guys, guess ill just stick with the analog.