Dolby Digital with Audigy 2
As a follow up on my bit on using my AV receiver with my Creative SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS. I have now received the mono mini-jack to RCA adapter. Using a standard set of phono/RCA leads I connected one channel up to the digital input on my AV receiver and enabled the Creative Dolby Digital Live pack for my sound card.
A few hours later of plugging in speakers reinstalling drivers and head scratching I found the "Direct" button on my receiver and turned it off. It all then sprung into life.
CMSS works in 3D, surround sound in games like Battlefield 3 works fine, Dolby Digital DVD works fine, EAX works fine with the usual Alchemy tricks.
What doesn't work is the volume. Or in fact, any of the Windows-wide settings. So volume, and tone settings are long gone. You have to rely on your external amp to control the volume - and not many give you good control over the EQ - especially on an AC3 signal.
Still, it now positions me to lose an amp, and upgrade a set of speakers as my bass is correctly filtered out now to the sub.