[rbrb]

Is it possible to use two sound cards in the same system.  I'm in the process of putting together a quality media server/center.

The plan is to use a M-Audio Revolution 5.1 for multi-channel sources and a M-Audio Audiophile 192 for stereo sources.

[ScottMayo]

Is it possible to use two sound cards in the same system.  I'm in the process of putting together a quality media server/center.

The plan is to use a M-Audio Revolution 5.1 for multi-channel sources and a M-Audio Audiophile 192 for stereo sources.

In theory, XP will support multiples of any device, so it should work like a champ. Dunno about Macs.

In practice... you might be the only person on the planet trying it, and that usually invites trouble. You want to have all of Microsoft's beta-testers, aka customers, to have tested the path before you.

If you really want quality stereo, look into an external DAC that you can just send the digital bits to. Just about any sound card can provide the bitstream.

[rbrb]

Thanks Scott.  I am using a outboard DAC now.  The media server PC will be serving two systems.  One at my desk doing music creation apps. etc. where I would like to tap into the analog signal.  The other would be in my HT where the digital signal from the cards would be sent.  The Audiophile 192 would send a digital stream to my DAC, the Revolution 5.1 digital would be sent to my Pre/Pro.

All of my audio experience has been non PC related but my experience has been that devises that do all things master none.  DVD-A/SA-CD players would be a good example.  I have never found that did justice to Redbook PCM.  It's my reasoning for two sound cards.  The 5.1 card will not do 2 channel stereo as well as the dedicated stereo card will.

[ScottMayo]

The Audiophile 192 would send a digital stream to my DAC, the Revolution 5.1 digital would be sent to my Pre/Pro.
All of my audio experience has been non PC related but my experience has been that devises that do all things master none. DVD-A/SA-CD players would be a good example. I have never found that did justice to Redbook PCM. It's my reasoning for two sound cards. The 5.1 card will not do 2 channel stereo as well as the dedicated stereo card will.

If it helps, the digital stream coming off of any sound card, assuming the clock is good, will be identical. If you have reason to believe the 2 channel card has a better clock than the 5.1 channel card, it might be worth it. I dunno, though. I'd ask the card manufacturer if they use the same clock internally.

Assuming there are no glitches in running two sound cards, what you'll probably find is that one of them becomes the default card, and all your music applications will use that one, because they've all been written to assume a system has only one card, so the default one must be it. Smart apps will realise there are two and let you pick one, but...

If you don't get any other answers here, I'd definitely have a chat with the folk who provided your software, and the card manufacturer/vendor. This has the feel of something that will work, but only after much pain.

[mshan]

Assuming that there are no specific hardware / driver conflicts between your selected sound cards, I don't think you should have any problems using more than one soundcard with XP.

You will have to select one sound card as your default device for Windows and hopefully the programs you are using will also allow you to select a preferred (e.g non-default) device.

I think you could do simultaneous streaming, but you would have to use two different software players and at least one of them must allow you to select a non-default sound device for playback.

[ted_b]

I have two sound cards installed, and use them both.........but not simultaneously.  I have WinXP and use the Chaintech for my stereo needs (foobar, etc.) and use the Creative Audigy 2 to listen to multichannel DVD-Audio.  I need to change sound defaults, thats all.  Foobar has the Chaintech and kmixer settings so it gets no sound when I choose Audigy 2, but that's a nit.  iTunes hears either of them.

[rbrb]

If it helps, the digital stream coming off of any sound card, assuming the clock is good, will be identical. If you have reason to believe the 2 channel card has a better clock than the 5.1 channel card, it might be worth it. I dunno, though. I'd ask the card manufacturer if they use the same clock internally ...

The analog signal I receive at my desk top is the one I'm more concerned with.  I want better sound than the multi channel card would supply while monitoring at the desktop, the analog section of the 192 card certainly has the potential to sound better than the 5.1  card.

[rbrb]

Thanks for all the help people it sounds like it's easily doable. Excellent!!