Hi-

I've long assumed a good quality usb sound card would deliver better sound than an internal PC sound card, even of the audiophile variety. Why? Because of the inherent noisiness of PC's.

See then this quote from Tracer Technologies, who market both kinds of cards:

I want to build a PC music server setup. I will only be using the source unit to feed the digital out to my TACT 2.2 XP preamp, which has it's own internal DAC.

Questions:

1. Is there any reason (purely in terms of sound and not convenience) in using an SB3 or Transporter as an interface in such a setup? Will there be a difference in sound quality between the SB3 and the Transporter in such a setup?

I have a pair of Epos ELS-3s and am looking to upgrade to the 5.1 system (4 ELS-3, ELS-3C & ELS Sub). The problem is, these speakers have an impedance of 4 ohms (nominal). I am having trouble finding a receiver that is rated at 4 ohms that isn't twice the price of the whole Epos 5.1 setup, which MSRPs at ~$1500.

Any suggestions? Should I look to power via separate pre-amp/amp rather than using a receiver? Specific product names/models would be most helpful!

to teh tune of merry xmas

We wish you a merry DUPMAS
We wish you a merry DUPMAS
We wish you a merry DUPMAS
and some happy new gear !

with DUP just now banned
the forum is still
we sit in our rooms
just drinking DUP swill

Chorus

he don't like teh vinlyl
nor flea watts nor tube
and if you don't agree
he'll call you a boob

chorus

5,000 watts
will set you free
if you are feeding
teh big Legacy

pondering this about the audiophile community this morning while getting psyched up for my International Economics final today: are your friends audiophiles? have you turned any of them into audiophiles? have they experienced your hobby and said they loved it and chose not to go down the same path? do you consider getting your friends into it an equivalent to religious conversion? and how many of your friends have told you you're just plain crazy?