New
#21
For ultimate audio in a proper two channel and not gaming rig then only the mobo or cards optical or digital outputs are needed to a proper external DAC then on to your pre-amp inputs or receiver. The isolation properties and ability to maintain the minute nuances of signal is much easier but more expensive outboard and not in the computer. Much of it is regulated power supply issues and cross-talk and energy migration limits of a modern computer case. Again this is for extremely critical applications and systems of a very high resolution. USB DAC's have come a long way but still can't compare.