Best computer sound card for Audio??

engtaz

Like some opinions about which sound card is the best for music server. More about audio then gaming.

Thanks

Sherardp

creative labs makes some nice ones, last I checked.

Shizelbs

Check out the head-fi forums. They have extensive reviews and modding info for sound cards.

engtaz

linky please

AsSiMiLaTeD

I've never been a big fan of Sound Blaster for good quality audio. However, they've really stepped it up with their X-Fi series. I bought the X-Fi Music version and it's great. Make sure you get the one that's around $100 or so, don't get the little $60 card.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Get the XtremeMusic, not the XtremeAudio.. You can always tell the difference by looking at the size of the card.

I'm sure there are better options out there, but these cards are really hard to beat.

thejck

use the chaintech av-710 with optical out to a dac. you cant go wrong. you can do bit perfect output from it and then you save your money for a good dac.the card is only 25 bucks. ask H9 thats what he has. thats what i am working on too.

Systems

I’ve used the SB Pro series for sometime. The one that comes with an extra add on that installs in a drive slot. It may not be much any more but it had an AC3 jack in the front for sometime, back when even ac3 was kind of rare. I used it to connect to my Onkyo to play music. I've had just about every SB card since they first started making them with no problems at all. Love them.
Even on my gamming machine right now I have the X-Fi pro with ac3 to my Logitech 5.1 channel DTs/DD THX computer speakers. Never fails.

I do think there will be a paradigm shift soon as computer go hdmi (which I feel they have been slacking on).

When SB comes out with a 1.3 HDMI sound connection, Ill jusmp on it for HTPC.

Gaara

What is the budget?

Have you ever considered an external DAC?

ledhed

M-audio audiophile series. The 2496 is $100 and the 196 is $200 but has better processing and balanced I/O

Music Joe

I'm in the same boat and have nodded off a few times reading the blizzard of info and soundcard shootouts over on head fi.

Read the E-MU 0404 External (AKM's) threads and see what you think.
(in fact a quick check showed some new talk in 0404usb dac and vista....yay)

A lot over there seem to like the Trends micro as a usb converter.

engtaz

Yes the question is firewire or pci versions?

sophie

if you haven't built the computer yet then look at a mobo with digital out so you an use an external dac and not have to buy a separate sound card. i know foxconn has some with there am2 motherboards.

dudeinaroom

there are alot of mobo's with digital audio outputs. Some yoy just have to order a braket for the jacks, others ship it with the mobo.