Posting this for a friend: I been having my eyes on the Audiophile 2496 from M-audio for a while: http://www.m-audio.com/products/m-audio/audiophile.php Now my point is I know it has 5.1 to a certain extend, I went to the shop they told me that it has 1 output port, while off course my box set needs 3 like any Creative card. So they told me I needed an extern box set, stereo. Now that will put me down around 1K euro, and I don''t have that kind of money. Now this guy at that store was totally irritating me, "Well your stuff is more like toys." frankly I thought it was kinda insulting. I didn''t want to continue our conversation any more then I had to. He said there was no converter plug to convert the 1 port to 3, but needless to say I doubt his expertise. So my question is: Is there a converter plug or something to change this 5.1 from 1 output to a 5.1 that matches my boxes with 3 outputs? Any info on why this can''t be is also appreciated.

it doesn''t have 5.1.. only 4 channels out. 2 analog and 2 digital. The Delta 66 will give you 6 channels out.. look at that one instead if you want a card from m-audio (they are really great for homestudios! (if you don''t got a via 133-based motherboard ofcoz)).

I have not looked at the thing, but it is entirly posible that the 5.1 channel output is achieved using a digital signal, which needs a decoder, not an adapter. Most of the time you would find a decoder in a good quality, new amplifier.

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If you want to mix in 5.1 then you can do so with a Delta 66 (though you need to convert the S/PDIF output to analogue stereo to up the 4 analogue outputs to a total of 6).

If you want to watch DVDs with surround sound then you need a soundcard which can convert a digital surround signal to 6 analogue channels (for the three analogue stereo inputs that your speakers require). Neither of the M-Audio cards can do that.

The Audiophile 2496 can (with appropriate DVD software) take the digital surround signal from a DVD and spew it out its S/PDIF output. The only way to convert this single digital output to 6 analogue channels is, like Andrew says, to use a standalone surround sound decoder.

My advice is get the 2496, sell your speakers and buy a new set with a digital input. A set of cheap 5.1 speakers will cost well under 200 euro. That way you have the recording quality of an M-Audio card with the ability to watch DVDs in surround sound.

If you want to keep your speakers, then the higher end Creative cards are good jack-of-all-trades, but the recording quality will not compare to any M-Audio product.

"Thanks for the info. Seems like a lot of stuff to process here, I looked into it, and I don''t fully understand your bit Kenbar- so I sell my boxes to get other boxes? Could you give me an example please? I have no idea what kind of boxes you have in mind. Thanks already."

Basically, the 2496 can only output a 5.1 signal via its digital out whereas your speakers will only accept 3 analogue inputs. The 2496 and your speakers are not compatible for this reason.

To resolve this stalemate you either get a new soundcard that is compatible with your current speakers, or get a new soundcard and new speakers.

The cheapest speakers with digital-in on the market are the DSS 900s:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000063TJH/026-5166208-1032415

Bear in mind that these are probably of a lower standard than the speakers you currently have.

This only applies if you want to watch DVDs in surround sound. If you want to mix in 5.1 (create your own 5.1 surround content) then you need a more sophisticated setup (i.e. $$$).

Cruds,

This is the friend, I finally got my account working again. :D
So I got 1 question: The M-Audio Delta 66? Does that support my boxes like volantiz said?

- Simon "Maglok" Kort
http://www.gameproc.com/MM/

No, the Delta66 is not compatible with your speakers straight out of the box (assuming you want to hear all six channels, and even then only when mixing in 5.1 not when watching DVDs!!).

I think I am going to go for ana pmlifier and a couple of monitors combined with the audiophile then.

- Simon "Maglok" Kort
http://www.gameproc.com/MM/

Cool. A decoder/amplifier setup is a good future-proof plan