best audio card

[dshodson]

which audio card should i purchase for my system
i have an asus a7v133 motherboard with onboard sound that im thinking of upgrading the sound on
i have an oc thunderbird to 1.15
i also have the cambridge sound works speaker set although they arent currently being used as surround since the onboard wont allow that
im not too interested in extras
just something that will work well
if u have a suggestion about where to get it from that would be good also

D

 

[Howard]

Turtle Beach Santa Cruz from Newegg.com

 

[HouRman]

Order of my preference:

maudio audiophile 2496 $180
SB audigy platinum ex $200
hercules game theater xp $100
turtle beach santa cruz $65
audigy OEM $65
Sb Live 5.1 $35

Will it be used for DVD 5.1 audio as a pre pro? then look at the more costly choices of $100 and up. The santa cruz will work too with 5.1 digital.
Just mp3s, CDs, and games? -- Look at the value choices.

I think the sound blaster live 5.1 would be a good bang per buck. I'd search on pricewatch and resellerratings for prices and reliability of the store.

 

[cbuchach]

I have an A7V133 too and am looking for an upgrade from my SB Live Value. I have noticed that my only system lockups have occured when I have an audio app open (like Winamp or my TV Wonder) and would like to replace my current card with a non-Creative solution.

 

[RedShirt]

GTXP if you have the money. You'll love all the connections it has and it is not creative.

Anything along the lines of the Santa Cruz, or Acustic Edge, GTXP, would be great.

 

[Howard]

Tell us what you'll be using it for?