Do I need a DAC?

[Labarum]

You are totally correct about the USB only facility on most laptops. However, the Creative Labs X-Fi card can quickly solve that problem. I use one on my laptop and it is far cheaper than other USB solutions I have come across.

Stan, how do you rate the X-Fi card compared to an M-Audio Transit (which still leaves you with a USB connection)?

I have been wondering about one or the other to get an optical out, but mostly to drive phones while on the move - the phone socket on my laptop is good enough for speech, but . . .

Edit:

Has the X-Fi laptop card have no S/PDIF out?

http://uk.store.creative.com/product...id=17988&nav=1

[StanleyB]

Stan, how do you rate the X-Fi card compared to an M-Audio Transit (which still leaves you with a USB connection)?

The X-Fi still leaves you with USB as well. I know nothing about the M-Audio. My choice of the X-Fi was purely dictated by an opportune momentary lapse in financial prudence, brought about by a reference to my DAC in an ebay listing.

[Labarum]

The X-Fi still leaves you with USB as well.

Sorry, I wasn't clear. The M-Audio Transit connects by USB with custom drivers, the X-Fi uses the laptops expansion slot.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Transit.html

About £50