Laptop as a HTPC source : what sound card/DAC ?

[Spidey]

Hello

If we use a laptop as a source in HTPC, which external sound card or dac to use to improve sound.

The laptop has optical,headphone and hdmi out.

Obviously no Xonar product will fit here.

So the chain will be :

Laptop > ??? ext sound card/dac > Amplifier.

thanks

 

[spirovious]

new Lapy can output coaxial & both HDMI.So if we get good HD-AVR,no need for SC.
For stereo listening,xonar is poppular as you know.

http://www.hifivision.com/what-should-i-buy/6403-usb-dac-sound-card-laptop.html
http://www.hifivision.com/what-should-i-buy/10875-soundcard.html

 

[iaudio]

For home theatre use, just hook up the laptop to your AVR using HDMI or even optical.

For stereo, hook up laptop to a decent outboard DAC using optical or USB out.

 

[spirovious]

I found a costly solution earlier-
http://www.hifivision.com/home-thea...-now-use-desktop-pci-pci-ex-cards-laptop.html