how to get digital connection with sound audigy 2zs

[krnjason]

i have the basic 2zs or zs2 or w/e sound audgy card and since ive gotten the sound card, ive only used the 3 analog plugs (orange,black,green) but decided to go digital, since my card doesnt have the optical out like the zs2 platinum does what do i use? i think the digital out on the card is 1/8 plug. is there a 1/8 plug with a coax out? is it worth buying the cable to get digital sound? or will i not notice the difference... thnx

[mikiem]

If you've got digital speakers for your PC, or if you want to feed your stereo, I've read it works good. But you can't do both -- if your speakers are analog (using 3 plugs), have to switch output to use them (at least that's my understanding from earlier audigy models). Have to look at your card to tell if you've got the digital out plug (I think some models have it combined with reg out). When checking stuff online, make sure you have numbers from your card, as there might be several versions called the same thing.

Creative gives the specs on the plug at their site, so could either buy from them or wire your own etc. Might also check for 3rd party devices, and check over at driverheaven forums for mods, connections, software. And, if you use coax out from plug, might have to buy another adaptor to switch it to optical depending on what your stereo takes.

[aedipuss]

if you put the audio card driver into digital output only, then the card sends the signal to the spdif out port, which you can connect to digital din or spdif in speaker systems, with the proper cable of course. it's an orange colored plug cable with a 1/8 inch plug on one end and a round green digital din end on the other.

[waheed]

I have a Audigy 2 Platinum and Megaworks THX 6.1 Speakers which are both Digital and Analog.

The Audigy 2ZS has a Digital DIN connection on the card (This is the far end one opposite side of the firewire port coloured ORANGE)

Ive used both Digital DIN and Analog to connect to my speakers and can confirm I dont really hear any sound quality difference between the two. The only difference I can hear is that with digital connection, theres less hissing, crackling noises as compared with analog.