When using my HTPC to play 2 channel audio, I use the HDMI output from an ATI HD5550 Graphics card at the moment. I now use the DACs in my Marants 6006, and either Foobar or J River Media Center in WASAPI Mode. Windows 7.
I was going to upgrade the HTPC, and was wondering if it would make any difference at all on my mid-range system the HDMI device to use, AMD, Nvidia or just built in Intel Ivy Bridge hardware?
If they're bitstreaming or sending the LPCM stream then I don't see how it could matter. If they were different then one of them would be broken surely?