I am debating between the Delta 44 or the Delta 66 soundcards because I need a card that can accept a +4 dBv line level from my mixer and from what I've read the Audiophile 2496 does not. The 66 has S/PDIF and the 44 doesnt and I'm wondering of this is an important thing to have on a sound card.

Right not I'm my mixer would be the only thing plugged into it. If I was to get an effects processor, would I need the S/PDIF? I don't thing I would because I would just hook it up through the mixer right?

Also what about mixers with digital outputs (with A/D converters built in). Are these mixers worth it and what would me the great advantage of having one?

Basically I just want to know if I were to expand my setup in the future, what equipment would I need S/PDIF for.

Thanks for your advice!

S/PDIF is useless for DJ equipment really. The delta 44 is a fucking great card and I want one myself... because it has 4 channels in and 4 channels out, all balanced/unbalanced TRS jacks! As for effects processors, if you're gonna use the external processor solely for DJing I'm pretty sure you'll only want it running through the mixer and not your soundcard. Digital = meh

___________________
"I played 12.30 til close at 3am at the club (Antro), following on from an Australian dj,
which seemed unusual in deepest Texas." - Judge Jules

wondering if some of the pioneer mixers (maybe the djm3000) can be used with that digital input on the soundcard.... or maybe some tascam mixers that have digital output on them can hook up the digi in on the soundcard.
hmmm....

the mixer already has an onboard 20-bit a/d converter.


the digital input on the soundcard could possibly be used with a mixer that has a digital ouput.

___________________
sun.com
my xbox is -->MICRSFTSUX (xbconnect.com).....

If I were you, I'd grab the 66.

I did, and I'm really glad I did. It allows you to transfer digital recordings directly to your PC.

If you record on a MD or DAT, or plan to in the future, get the 66. It's *great* being able to do direct digital transfers of material from my DAT to the computer via S/PDIF.

I like the sound of my DAT's A/D converter alot more.. so I usually record on it (plus, it's easier to deal with in the mix, no keyboard etc) then transfer it digitally to the PC to work with.

It also has an added benefit of directly driving a S/PDIF capable amplifier, which is just about any DTS home-stereo amp. This way, you can listen to direct digital from the computer.

digital ins/outs have lower CPU overhead. I notice a BIG difference between recording from S/PDIF from a DAT, vs direct analog recording from the mixer.

and to add to that, if you ever plan to use an outboard A/D converter (good idea if you want production-quality recordings), the 66's S/PDIF port will hook up to that.

the way I see it, it doesnt cost much more. especially if your buying used... and it can come in real handy.

the 66 doesnt have optical S/PDIF, thou.. just coaxial.. but that's fine, cuz fibre is expensive and likes to break, so screw it!