The SPDIF out debate

[sniff]

Howdy everybody
I,m going to re-ignite the spdif out debate
I am currently using my spdif out from my gigabyte motherboard (Nforce 4) to my dig in to my Integra amp.
Now dvds are great but music and TV could be better. This is mainly due to limited software options in the software and maby a cheap onboard chip. I,m considering upgrading. But are all spdif created equal. I just want a pure untouched signal to the amp where all the work will be done. But who Does that? and will it be better than what I have now.

P.S does anybody record their music in lossless format for quality and are their any websites for hi-bit recordings.

My system is nearly finished. Its been a long road, am currently having success with using nuvo gear to pipe media centre all round the house HD and all.

[arkay]

Sniff,

This has been discussed before on this and other boards and to be honest I still don't know who to believe. SPDIF should be SPDIF but then you hear of drivers and cards that offer "bit perfect" SPDIF so obviously there is a difference.

I am currently running a SB Audigy 2 with the kx drivers which apparently do do bit perfect output though some extra configuration is necessary. To be honest though I can't tell the difference between the SB drivers and the KX ones, nor the soundmax (when it works) on the motherboard or my standalone DVD player and I have a fairly keen ear and about $10k (when purchased) worth of Amp and speakers.

It could just be coincidence that all the above yield similar qualities though. I've never got hold of a top end Audio card to see if there is a true difference.

Cheers,
Arkay.