[Chu]

I am currently looking for a new soundcard for my PC, and from browsing the forums it seems like the far and away winner is the Audiotrak Prodigy 7.1 if multi-channel is important.

The problem is I am on a little tight budget, and the $100+ price irks me.

Is there any decent sounding card out there in the $50 range, perhaps a great card from a generation or two back, or a good place to get one used? I do have a headphone amp to go with it, if it matters.

Thanks in advance,

-Chu

 

[ixeo]

what you plan to use it for?
if your mainly using headphones (stereo) and your priority is music > games then chaintech av-710 wins hands down in the budget category..

 

[Evilson]

Revolution 5.1? Still a bit pricey. Maybe the out of stock 7.1 version. Do you really need multi-channel. cause, as ixeo said, the Chaintech is a bargain for what it is. Just can't be beat. I'm a huge fan of M-Audio, but if you don't need the extra channels, just go with the chaintech. Personally, I think multi-channel is overrated for a computer, unless you're building a HTPC. Plus, almost all of the multimedia surround speaker systems kinda suck.

 

[Chu]

You have all just cost me another $25.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[MD1032]

Looks like the AV-710 is going to win here. $25 shipped from Newegg last time I checked, and I'm acquiring a used one for $20 shipped.

BTW, it uses the same Envy24 chip as the M-Audio Revolution 7.1, so they're basically the same.

 

[bLue_oNioN]

Definitely the AV-710.