[PurpleAngel]

  Fair enough i have a GTX 970 which is still a great card and runs everything i want it too in 1080P in pretty much max.

 
Still running 1080P, you might consider replacing your computer monitor with the newer 2560X1440, as some of the newer 2560X1440 monitors come with an even smaller dot pitch then the older 1080 monitors.
I replaced my Asus 1080 27" monitor with a Yamakasi 27" with 2560-X1440 and a LG AH-IPS panel, giving me better color and easier to read text.

 

[Chik0240]

   
I believe your Onkyo SE300 PCI-E also cost a lot more then any Asus sound card.

True, that was like 300 USD, but back than a dual PCM 1794 with all discrete amp circuit and creative chip which have the sound effects used in that era is well worth it, while I like my current NFB1 2015 dac, the somewhat warm sounding onkyo keeps me going back to it time to time

 

[trivium911]

Still running 1080P, you might consider replacing your computer monitor with the newer 2560X1440, as some of the newer 2560X1440 monitors come with an even smaller dot pitch then the older 1080 monitors.
I replaced my Asus 1080 27" monitor with a Yamakasi 27" with 2560-X1440 and a LG AH-IPS panel, giving me better color and easier to read text.

Meh 1440P gaming for me is not worth the large expense involved for little gain depending on how close you sit to the monitor. For me right now until it becomes the standard like 1920x1080 did i probably wont be making the switch. I also do a bit of console gaming, so my PC gaming is primarily for single player games like the witcher 3 and what not.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Meh 1440P gaming for me is not worth the large expense involved for little gain depending on how close you sit to the monitor. For me right now until it becomes the standard like 1920x1080 did i probably wont be making the switch. I also do a bit of console gaming, so my PC gaming is primarily for single player games like the Witcher 3 and what not.

 
Never bought my 2560X1440 27" monitor for any gaming reason (not into FPS gaming), bought it because the over all picture just looks better.

 

[trivium911]

Never bought my 2560X1440 27" monitor for any gaming reason (not into FPS gaming), bought it because the over all picture just looks better.

Lol if i wasnt married and had other priorities beleive me i would be all over that but right now i have to spend money wisely and i chose to buy the hifiman 400i and little dot i+ im also currently flipping an acreage and spending over $100,000 in renos and what not so i have to choose my hobbies wisely at this current moment in time. When i was a single guy i had no problem buying a top of the line card...still though i think i get away with quite a bit when i purchase something my wife thinks i dont need lol. I also have no leverage as she doesnt really spend alot of money on clothes and what not. Tough situation haha

 

[PurpleAngel]

I also have no leverage as she doesn't really spend alot of money on clothes and what not.

 
She does not spend a lot on Clothes!
Some day if you break up with her, send her my way, please.

 

[trivium911]

She does not spend a lot on Clothes!
Some day if you break up with her, send her my way, please.

Haha yeah too late she already has a ring on her

 

[PurpleAngel]

Haha yeah too late she already has a ring on her

 
Ring?
Which nipple, right or left?

 

[Chik0240]

   
She does not spend a lot on Clothes!
Some day if you break up with her, send her my way, please.

Right, this is really off topic lol
 
but mind you that the definition of NOT A LOT means different to different ppl

 

[Audiosanity]

Best 'sound card' = Yamaha AG03
Cheapest balanced audio = Yamaha AG03 (and if you need a balanced amp, Crown XLS 1002 is the cheapest you'll find probably).
105db snr is transparent and clearly good enough for pros - besides that most audio is 16bit/44k anyway and 16bit is 96db.
 
Runners up:
scarlett 2i2 (win10 issues) (Solo is cheaper but not balanced)
lexicon alpha ($50 but no win 8/10 support at all, basically old trash stock...)
 
As someone who used to fight with computer noise and ground issues...I can verify that any unbalanced device is basically garbage. I don't know why everything is unbalanced these days.
 
Computer cases are not a suitable place to locate your audio source!!
Also, ASUS sucks!! They (technically in this case it's mostly CMEDIA at fault with the xonars but my point still stands) literally never update their drivers, so people have to patch up a sort of custom driver (uni xonar). They have very poor support and warranty service, I've sworn off their products for life.