sound card for digital speakers

bobkw · 03-05-2012, 08:10 AM

I need a sound card that will work with some older boston 2.1 digital speakers.
win 7 os.
Can anyone tell me what to look for in the sound card specs to confirm that it will work with those speakers? Or recommend an inexpensive card.
Thanks

**Dogg** · 03-05-2012, 05:55 PM

All you need to know is the input/connection type of the speakers (ie: how they connect to the PC). Then you need a sound card with that type of output. In most cases, you simply use the standard 3.5mm audio out. If they require a digital output, it will be coaxial or optical.

bobkw · 03-06-2012, 06:44 AM

dogg,
the subwoofer has a digital input rca female. cord has one end rca male the other 3.5m male. the speaker setup is from an older gateway. the card is not win 7 compatable. i tried 3 other cards that i have laying around but none work.
pretty sure not all cards support digital. so how do i know before buying a new card?

**Dogg** · 03-07-2012, 05:21 PM

Is that the only input for the speakers? Digital coaxial will typically be a yellow RCA port. I've seen 3.5mm (mono) to RCA cables. They are typically for the sub channel only (hence the 3.5mm mono connector), and they are NOT digital...it's an analog connection.

With that said, digital coaxial inputs AND outputs are RCA ports. If it is a digital connection and If the cable has 3.5mm connector on one end, it sounds like a specialized cable for a specific card/PC.

There are numerous sound cards available with a digital coaxial output (again, RCA port). 3.5mm jacks are standard analog stereo ports.