Need advice on buying suitable soundcard.

[Jelvis]

I want a new soundcard for my computer...willing to spend around £70.
Ive been looking at the m-audio 2496, the emu 0404 and Im wondering if the Terratec phase 22 is any good.
My main priorities are obviously for music playback as opposed to games and dvds which my current sb live! card is built for. I listen to mostly rock and metal. Soon the new soundcard will be part of a hi-fi with an amp and some bookshelf speakers attached.
I'll also probably be recording from my guitar amp sometime aswell.
So, could you advise me on which is best for what I need it for. The connections on the 0404 look a bit awkward compared to the 2496 but then again isnt the 2496 a bit old?
If the MAudio 192 is so good which I've heard it is, I can get it for £107...pushing my budget for a soundcard but if its really worth it over the others then I may consider it :S
Thanks for any help

 

[sgrossklass]

The Phase22 belongs to the generation of the AP2496, Envy24 w/ AK4524. It only has balanced TRS inputs and outputs with +4dBu level, i.e. primarily targets musicians. The AP192 features the same connectors, but can be switched between balanced/+4dBu and unbalanced/-10dBV. It's said to be quite a step up from the old 2496.

 

[Jelvis]

why would i want to switch between +4db and -10db? For listening to music and recording music?

 

[Scrith]

I use an E-Mu 1212M (and have used an M-Audio Audiophile USB) and am very happy with it (vs. the M-Audio). The E-Mu drivers/software package is, by far, the best I've used (the M-Audio drivers are extremely suspect to me). The analog output of the 1212M is very good (not much worse than my DAC1).

 

[sgrossklass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelvis why would i want to switch between +4db and -10db? For listening to music and recording music?

For connection to a mixer (and other "pro" stuff) you'd use +4dBu and balanced, while when interfacing to consumer audio gear (stuff with RCA jacks) you'd use -10dBV and unbalanced output.

 

[Serge44]

AP192 is some better than 2496 in overall sound quality.
I'm not sure you'll be completely happy with AP192 for heavy metal music after SB Live!.
Yes, SB Live is not "audiophile card" but has the biggest bass though too much muddy and boomy.
If you need '' cheap but loud subwoofer card'', stay with SB Live! If you want better sound quality, any of the cards you mentioned will be better.
After M-audio and Emu you could hardly return to SB Live!

 

[Jelvis]

I was under the impression my sb live! had a very high kind of tone overall compared to others. Well Im actually going to town today to see what my local music store has to offer and Ill likely come back with a card.
When i get it though..I WILL be using it with my current 4.1 surround system for now until i can afford some decent speakers. Im thinking the maudio 192 is the way to go since you all recommened it so much but I also like the future proof 64bit drivers.