But, your onboard Realtek does have an S/PDIF output, right? If not directly as a TOSlink on the back panel, then surely as a motherboard header. From there, you can add/try/test hundreds of DACs, from el-cheap-o Amazon stuff to top-notch RME devices and such. As for analog audio out of any motherboard built-in audio card: that's crap, was always crap, will always remain crap.
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But, your onboard Realtek does have an S/PDIF output, right? If not directly as a TOSlink on the back panel, then surely as a motherboard header. From there, you can add/try/test hundreds of DACs, from el-cheap-o Amazon stuff to top-notch RME devices and such. As for analog audio out of any motherboard built-in audio card: that's crap, was always crap, will always remain crap.