Topic: Do I care if my soundcard is bit perfect?

[mmadd29]

I'm looking to start the process of upgrading my machine.  I would like to have a spdif out for playback to my receiver.  I would only be using playback, as anything I record I transfer as a file from my iriver.  I can not think of any reason I would be using an input on a sound card.

Does it make a difference if the output of the onboard sound is bit perfect just for playback?

[SmokinJoe]

For the purposes you describe, I don't think it matters.

[Chilly Brioschi]

Bit Perfection is only a concern when dubbing to archive.
We were all about Bit Perfect copies of DATs that were being retired.

For playback, if it sounds good, no worries.

In fact, jitter correction algorithms will sometimes make a captured source bit-check as "off", if you bothered to capture and measure it.
Because of this, "bit perfect" playback may actually be less than optimum possible sound.

In short, SmokinJoe is spot on.