[LAU] digital input to stereo receiver, maybe through ethernet

[Ralf Mardorf]

On Tue, 28 Mar 2017 20:23:03 -0700, Dan Hitt wrote:
>My ignorance of the world is really unbounded, did not realize that
>MBs could have spdif

I doubt that it's easy to get a mobo with an integrated audio
device without S/PDIF out. You need a S/PDIF bracket, but I
suspect you could it simply DIY with a RCA connector, a 75 Ohm cable and
a Dupon connector. 

>A 'USB audio interface'?  I have a pair of usb logitech speakers, but
>i'd like to be able to send the samples through good speakers (but
>maybe that's not at all what you mean?).

Instead of digital I/Os a lot of us still prefer analog I/Os to
connect to speakers. There are many USB pro-sumer and professional audio
interfaces available. Len's point is, that it's better to spend
relatively less money for an USB audio interface and an analog
amplifier, but to spend more money for the speakers, then to buy an
expensive digital consumer receiver. The quality of the amplifier is
important, too, but unlikely such a digital consumer receiver sounds
better, than a much cheaper consumer analog amp. The sound won't be
less good than of an analog consumer amp, but you need to pay much
more money for the receiver, than for the amp. The audio quality might
be better if you connect a television set by it's digital output to the
receiver, simply because the television set's analog outputs are likely
crap, but if you connect with a pro-sumer, let alone a professional USB
audio interface's analog outs, you get excellent audio quality. IOW
in this case digital connections gain you absolutely nothing.

If you want good sound consider not to spend the money on the wrong part
of the audio chain. An analog connection is not the weak point of an
audio chain from source to speakers.

Regards,
Ralf