[dreamnid]

If you don't know what w00t.com is, it is a store that sells only one item a day - usually at lower prices than other stores at the time. Most of the time, the item is ok, but there are some exceptions ($50 for WD 250GB).

Anyways, I don't know if the soundchip it uses is any good (C-Media CMI8770). What is kinda interesting is that the op-amps are socketed, so you could try switch op-amps at ease. Other features to note: 7.1 channels, Dolby Digital and DTS, "Dolby Digital Live" and "DTS Connect" (converts audio stream to DD). Rest of specs here: http://www.auzentech.com/products_xplosion.html. Sorry if I mistype any features/specs since it is past 1AM here (which is when w00t changes the product).

It is selling at $115 at newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829156001)

I tries searching for Auzentech here, but no results came up. So if you feel like spending $100, today is the day to do it .

www.woot.com

Cheers!

 

[fierce_freak]

I've seen reviews on hardware sites about that card which are generally very good (from a non gaming perspective), but I've never really seen it reviewed by someone that I would say has a higher interest in sound quality.

That's a good price, though.

 

[Cronstead]

Here's its older brother (well, sort of): http://www.nvnews.net/reviews/x-mystique/page_2.shtml

 

[sgrossklass]

The CMI8770 is an updated CMI8768+ - nice if you want DDL, but swappable opamps or not, I wouldn't expect much from the analog out.

 

[Fiola]

here's a review of it, concentrates on gaming though
http://www.rage3d.com/reviews/sound/auzentechxplosion/