ASIO-capable sound card that's cheap and OK for gaming

[Howard]

Any ideas? USB is preferable, but I don't mind PCI too much.

I only need ASIO for two channels, if that makes any difference.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

http://www.asio4all.com/

maybe?

 

[Modelworks]

ASIO and USB and spdif all for $30
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-BEH-UCA202-LIST

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Modelworks
ASIO and USB and spdif all for $30
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-BEH-UCA202-LIST

How does this compare to the 100$ EMU 0202 in sound quality and ability to push headphones?

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: Modelworks
ASIO and USB and spdif all for $30
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-BEH-UCA202-LIST

How does this compare to the 100$ EMU 0202 in sound quality and ability to push headphones?

I can't say since I don't own either.
But the specs on this one are:

Phones out : -2dBu, 2x3,7 mW @ 100 ohms
DAC: 16 bit 32Khz, 44.1Khz, 48Khz
Freq. response: 10 Hz to 20Khz +- 1dB
THD: .05% @ -10dBV, 1Khz
SNR: 96dB

not great but not bad either for the price.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Phones out : -2dBu

i'm not familiar with the u weighting

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler

Phones out : -2dBu

i'm not familiar with the u weighting

It means unloaded
dBu can be used regardless of impedance, but is derived from a 600 O load dissipating 0 dBm (1 mW).

I wouldn't recommend that unit for people that use high quality headphones, even under the best conditions 7mW is really low power.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Asus Xonar U1

this is based on the c-media xonar chip (2.0?) and google leads me to believe it supports ASIO 2.0. there are pci and pci-e versions available, and it comes in 6 snazzy colors. newegg has the white one for $90.

i've been using a c-media based card for several years, and couldn't be happier with it. the software is very simple and stable, and DDL/DTS encoding works seamlessly. in 3D games, it's absolutely superb.