Im thinking of getting a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music card

Bit confused as ive read that when u use the SPDIF output on soundcards they will not process the audio but act as a through put. If your watching a dvd in 7.1 sound then thats fine by me, but if i'm playing music in mp3 connected to a stereo using the spdif cable just for stereo sound output, will the card process the sound so i can use effects like the new Crystalizer to improve mp3 sounds ?

Great card from what ive read but why they never included connectors for front pc case audio jacks is just an oversight, albeit an intentional 1 to make people by the breakout box.

Nice enough card, but Id recommend the Auzentech Prelude. Most highly praised card in the audio community and well worth the money IMO>