[MLUG - DISCUSSION] "optical digital sound cards" OR "what's the best way to play MP3 files on stereo system?"

[Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

I have a Sony tuner/amp that accepts an optical digital input from my CD 
player.  This is supposed to offer the highest quality of sound, but I'm 
not sure if I can tell the difference between that and the ordinary analog 
connection.  Anyway, I'm wondering if any of you knows anything about 
sound cards that can put out an optical digital signal.  It seems like 
maybe a sound card that does that would be giving me the best quality I 
can get from my MP3 files.  I think these are available but they might be 
overpriced and they might have a cap on kpbs throughput (e.g., 192 kbps) 
I'm not sure how the kbps limit would affect sound -- my MP3 files 
typically go up to 224 kbps but some are 320 kbps.

On the other hand, maybe any good sound card would be good enough for me. 
Any thoughts?  My real question is this:  What's the best way to play MP3 
files on a stereo system?  (both "money is no object" and "best cheap 
solution" answers are welcome!)

Mike

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