rubbish sound quality

hey,

Ive got my computer hooked up to my stereo via a mini jack to 2xphono cable. I had this hooked up with my old laptop with no problems at all. however with this computer im getting alot of high frequency "pops" and theyre becoming quite irritating. I like to listen to my music properly and hate any kind of interference or poor quality.

It doesnt seem to be linked to any other frequency or style of music, it just seems sporadic whenever it feels like it! i know its definatly something on the computer side as all my stereo is high quality.

its currently just the standard built into the motherboard Sound card but it has a digital out via a single phono plug. is there anyway i can use this plug or am i better getting a higher quality sound card?

Well that digital out is known as a coax, so i'm guessing your stereo should have a coax in?

Anywho it should be better, if only slightly. Is there crackle when playing through some regular 3.5mm input speakers? If so the soundcard could be duffed.

In which case I would recommend something by M-Audio as you sound like a bit of an audiophile. The X-Fi series is pretty good but is pretty crippled under vista without modded drivers.

ive tried it with headphones in the front Headphone socket and it sounds fine. its only when its amplified by the amp from the rear socket.

Plug the AUX in the Front then?

If its sounds rough still its the cable, if not then the back is duffed and its new sound card time