[HoosTrax]

I've been using an X-Fi XtremeMusic for ages now. I'm starting to get an upgrade itch, not sure if it's justified. The incompatibility with HD Audio front panel connectors has always been a pet peeve, and the thing feels kind of obsolete now anyway, along with EAX.
 
(I'm using a pair of DT770s fwiw.)
 
Should I look into an ASUS card, or just keep the X-Fi?

 

[NamelessPFG]

Do you really want to give up proper DirectSound3D and OpenAL support? (Not just EAX 3/4/5, but proper 3D audio with CMSS-3D Headphone instead of just virtual 7.1.)
 
If not, you could just get the X-Fi Titanium HD. That has a header for HD Audio-spec front-panel audio jacks, and the improved sound quality should be noticeable. (Not that I recommend using audio jacks on computer cases at all; every single one I've tried has a ground loop issue.)