getting a dedicated music soundcard

[boz]

been reading a few threads on here and the general concensus is that the audigy2 is bad for music.

ive had a look around and found a few good deals but the main one is the m-audio audiophile 2496 which is floating around on ebay just shy of 60 pounds. and before you ask, i chose that card over the 0404 because it only has the 'breakout' connector for the midi and digital input/outputs while the rca is on the card itself. seeing as i will only need rca input/output i figured it will give neater wiring

now my question is, will the difference be worth the money considering i mainly listen to 192kbit mp3s?

[Asmo]

The audiophile USB is a great card, last year at this time nobody would think second about recommending one, but the emu cards are much better sounding, but IF your music collection is only mp3, then probably not as big of a difference.

The audiophile USB is very versatile too, I would definetly go for it.

[lan]

The 0404 is better quality than AP24/96. You're willing to give up better quality for the sake of cable neatness? I don't think it's worth the $ over Audigy 2. The $ is better spent on the 0404 or chaintech av710.

[boz]

better quality? well that changes everything then

oh and i failed to mention, it will be used for my at a900s

[adhoc]

Originally Posted by boz

now my question is, will the difference be worth the money considering i mainly listen to 192kbit mp3s?

if they are ripped using a quality* method, and lovingly encoded using a quality* mp3 codec, yes.

*: EAC & LAME. google these terms if you're unsure what they mean.

[boz]

yeah most of mine are ripped using the LAME codec, been using it for a few years now

[breez]

Hint: Try VBR for better size/quality ratio (the presets are good, use them).

[Asmo]

I recommend using the extreme lame preset for best quality.