convert sound card digital output to analog

D

dmehling

Member
I am needing some information regarding the digital connectors of my soundcard and how to convert them to an analog connector. I have a Creative Sound Blaster PCI Express XiFi Extreme Audio soundcard. I'm using the standard line output with my computer speakers. At the same time, I'm wanting to connect to my stereo system. I'm looking for a way of using the digital output so I don't have to keep changing which device I want to use with the line output. On the creative website for this particular soundcard, under specifications, it says that it has a TOSLINK optical output. However, there is a footnote that says that digital out supports stereo SPDIF out. I'm really confused because I'm wondering if this soundcard has an optical or coaxial digital output. I have no experience in using digital audio connectors so I'm not sure if there is a difference or not. It doesn't matter what it is really, since ultimately I'm looking for an adapter that I can connect to the digital output that can convert it to an analog stereo connector. Any suggestions?
 
Digital audio has a fair few variations - s/pdif being one of them. TOSLINK, as far as I'm aware, is simply the optical connection - the actual digital format sent down it could be anything; s/pdif and ADAT are commonly used with it.

The only way to know if you have an optical (toslink) or coax digital output is to look! There'll be one or other (or maybe both) on the soundcard, but they'll (probably) be outputting the same signal. Regardless, plug into something like this http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/10674599/Lindy-SPDIF-Digital-To-Analogue-Stereo-Audio-Converter/Product.html?ptsl=1&ob=Price&fb=0&&_$ja=tsid:11518|cc:|prd:10674599|cat:Splitters+and+Adaptors# and away you go.
 
Are you saying that that converter you provided the link to will work regardless of whether it's optical or coaxial. Also, how can I tell the difference between the two just by looking?
 
dmehling said:
Are you saying that that converter you provided the link to will work regardless of whether it's optical or coaxial. Also, how can I tell the difference between the two just by looking?
Click to expand...

Optical looks like optical, coax looks like coax. If you look at that link you can see both on the smaller of the 2 images. And yes, that particular converter will work with both.
 
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