[SlackerClerk107]

I'm looking to get a new soundcard and this one caught my eye. I found it for $175 w/ a $100 rebate, and I was wondering if this is a pretty high quality soundcard or just so-so. Anyone have any impressions of it? Is there any better card I can get for that price?

 

[markot86]

do not buy that; for sound quality, there are many cheaper solutions that are better, and for gaming, the x-fi is out for 130 dollars.

 

[SlackerClerk107]

I don't want a card primarily for gaming. I would like to use it mostly to listen to music, and play some games, but more so for music. Can anyone link me to a good buy? Preferably something with an I/O drive, since that was one of my main focuses for liking the Audigy.

 

[markot86]

Why exactly do you need an I/O drive? sorry for being so picky, but I have a hard time recomending the audigy.

 

[Superpredator]

There are many many options for you. I did some (not much) research and found the M-Audio Revolution cards (5.1 for around $55, 7.1 for around $90). Musically they're the equal of much higher priced Audigy cards, and I believe a review I read said the Revo 7.1 sounded better than the Audigy2. Creative cards can cause conflicts with hyperthreading (used by newer processors) and dual processor systems. M-Audio makes music-oriented cards, and will not be up to par for newer games. But who cares? Anyway, the Revo is one solution if you're just looking for a simple card with digital out. For digital I/O, maybe take a look at the Audiophile 2496. I don't know much about it.