[Audio-Me]

It supports microsoft directsound. That's all you need to have high quality sound playback in games. "Audio cards" don't support real time surround sound processing (EAX, A3D, D3D), however I think 3D sound API is bogus, it's just a whole lot of low fidelity noise. Now why would you want that?
Accurate 360º sound out of two channels? Please, I'm not that gullible. Processing... Bad word, sounds fake.

 

[Mr.PD]

You all have been great.

I have been studying the M-Audio Audiophile 2496. That may be the right card for me. Not too expensive, coax out etc. I rarely play games so game compatability is not important.

I checked, and everything else is muted already. I am getting better sound now with the new cable and rear speaker jack.

Quote:

Another way to reduce hiss is to remove the analogue CD/DVDROM -> sound card internal cable and connect the SB Live's internal SPDIF to the CD/DVDROM's digital out. Don't know if you've already done that.. - Wasif.

I'll have to check on that. I really don't remember how I connected the cd burner when I replaced it.