Hi there. I'm new to these forums. I hope I put this thread in the correct section.
I'm building a gaming rig and haven't settled on a sound card. (If anyone's interested I'll put the specs of this computer-to-be at the bottom of this post. They're pretty nice.)
Anyway, I'd really, really like to get the Xonar Essence STX, but, alas, I don't have sufficient funds. So I was wondering: What is the best sound card I could get for under $120? I will stray up towards the $150 mark if there's some superb product at that price point, but I would like to have some change left over for a better model of HD monitor. I'm going to use this sound card for primarily gaming, but music and Blu-ray movies come in at a close second.
The sound card I've got my eye on at the moment is the Creative Labs SoundBlaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series. I'm just not sure if this is a suitable card for movies and music, though. I have some Shure SE110's which have turned me into a fledgling audiophile without funds to properly fulfill my constant craving for better sound.
Thanks for all the help, and here are those computer specs you're all are probably craving. =D
Notable Specs
Intel Core i7-950
OCZ 6GB DDR3 1600 MHz RAM (was 12GB until I realized I can easily upgrade my RAM later, CPU, GPU, sound card, or case, not so much)
ASUS P6X58D-E mobo
XFX Radeon 6870
Western Digital VelociRaptor 150GB 10k RPM (1TB 5400rpm storage HDD is also easily added later)
Samsung Blu-ray sexiness, of course
Antec Nine Hundred Two Case
...and the sound card which has not yet been chosen.
