Is a Digital Connection (HDMI or S/Pdif) the best way to go?

[ESlik]

Originally Posted by Rebel975

Whether you go digital from your source to a receiver, and then out to your speakers, or you go analogue from a sound card to an amp/receiver, it ends up being analogue out to the speakers anyway.

Spdif can support up to 6 channels (5.1 surround sound), if I know what I'm talking about.

I checked the Razer Tiamat FAQ,and they refer to the Tiamat headphones as being a "true" analog surround. Many forums etc. refer to 5.1 or 7.1 analog as "true". I don't know,I'm just saying what everyone else is saying. I know one thing for sure,there is a difference in gaming with analog as opposed to digital,and analog is way better. I've had quite a few headphones,both 5.1 and stereo with a digital surround source,and there's no comparison. In my opinion. And as most of you know,I'm NEVER really happy. That's why you'll see me buying so many sound cards and headphones. I must say this though,I'm about as happy with what I'm using right now as I've ever been. Analog all the way.

[ROBSCIX]

Originally Posted by ESlik

Everything I've read about 5.1 surround sound suggest 5.1 analog to be a "true surround", If I remember correctly,you even said it, or at least you agreed with that description. I believe it to be a true surround. If in fact I'm wrong,what IS a "true surround"? Thanks ROB.

No, I would have never said something like that and if you got that from a posting of mine you misunderstood it.

Analog connection to a receiver to surround.
Equals
Digital connection to a receiver to surround.

Both are the same, just the conversion takes place in a different location.

Not sure, what you mean about true surround.
True surround would be 6 channel or more but offering discrete channels.
Older systems such as early prologic, used a surround channel, both rear channels operating on one channel more or less. Systems then advanced to Dolby Digital 5.1 which has left rear and right rear which is a big advancement. What comes after is all built off that tech.

You can have this surround using analog or digital one is not always superior to the other.

Not sure if that is what you are asking or not. If I am still misunderstanding your question or suggestion..let me know and I will try and clarify the information.

[Rebel975]

Originally Posted by ESlik

I checked the Razer Tiamat FAQ,and they refer to the Tiamat headphones as being a "true" analog surround. Many forums etc. refer to 5.1 or 7.1 analog as "true". I don't know,I'm just saying what everyone else is saying. I know one thing for sure,there is a difference in gaming with analog as opposed to digital,and analog is way better. I've had quite a few headphones,both 5.1 and stereo with a digital surround source,and there's no comparison. In my opinion. And as most of you know,I'm NEVER really happy. That's why you'll see me buying so many sound cards and headphones. I must say this though,I'm about as happy with what I'm using right now as I've ever been. Analog all the way.

They're just referring to having multiple drivers in the earcups as opposed to simulating the surround sound effect. This has nothing to do with analogue vs digital in the scope of this thread, but definitely opens up another huge can of worms (you're referring to true speakers vs DSP - this thread is referring to analogue vs digital connections between devices, such as a sound card to a receiver).

Analogue from a sound card to a receiver could very well sound better than digital to the receiver, if the sound card has a superior DAC/output stage/etc.