Which sound method should I take?

[Ghostface Killah]

I am making a new computer, and I have three options I can take to upgrade my sound.
My speaker system is the Logitech Z-5500. It is connected to my computer with the three direct cables, the optical cable slot is used for my Xbox.

The options:
1) I can use my current Sound Blaster Audigy card and have the speakers connected via direct cables

2) I can use the onboard sound on the mother board, chipset Creative sound Blaster Live 24-bit H/W audio and connect it via Digital Coax cable

3) I can do the same method above but with a different mobo audio chipset, the Realtek ALC850 and connect it via Digital Coax cable

Which method should I take? Which will sound the best?

 

[GodsMadClown]

Analog wires from the Audigy. Digital connections generally only yield stereo sound.

 

[Ghostface Killah]

Thanks, that helps a lot.

Any other opinions?

 

[Ghostface Killah]

Oh, and which would be better:

Creative sound Blaster Live 24-bit H/W audio onboard audio
or
Sound Blaster Audigy card

both connected via direct cable, which would sound better?

 

[GodsMadClown]

You know, all these questions can be answered on your own with a little emperical study. Try it and find out! Doing comparisons is a very educational process. Indeed, most would say that regarding audio, direct comparison is the BEST education. Check out the FAQ.

 

[Ghostface Killah]

You know, all these questions can be answered on your own with a little emperical study. Try it and find out! Doing comparisons is a very educational process.

The problem is those questions are the path that will take me to either spend 180 bucks on a mother board or 130. I need to know, and obviousley I don't have it right now so I can not to do hearing study.

 

[GodsMadClown]

Sorry, I thought you owned them both.

The soundcard will sound better. Since you own an Audigy, it makes little sense buying a MB for its super-special onboard sound.

 

[Ghostface Killah]

Thanks

Anyway, if I was to get the mobo with the Creative sound Blaster Live 24-bit H/W audio chipset where would I download the drivers? Just off of www.creative.com or the mobo site?