Question Question Sound Card suggestion to get rid of Realtek ALC4080

[Orodruin]

Hello everyone. I need your help regarding a sound card.
I am using the Asus ROG B650E-E model and I am not happy with the sound at all. It causes cracking in the sound especially in high basses. I tried different speakers but the result did not change at all. I have heard that there are many people who are using Realtek alc4080 and are not happy with this audio codec.
My previous motherboard was the ROG Crosshair X570. And it was much better in terms of sound.
Now, coming to my question, I want to buy a sound card.

Frankly, I do not have a very high-end sound system. But I want to buy a sound card that I can get quality sound with 2+1 or 5+1 systems for many years to come. I can choose the models I have shared below in the stocks of the country I am in.
Which one do you think I should buy?

Asus XONAR AE 7.1
Asus XONAR SE
Creative Audigy FX V2
Creative Sound Blaster RX

Note: I do not want to buy a DAC because I do not want it to take up extra space.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I'd get the cheapest one. They should all be fine.

But then again, I'd probably just get a USB DAC anyway, because they don't really take up that much space, and they're super-cheap.

Amazon.com

 

[DaaQ]

Hello everyone. I need your help regarding a sound card.
I am using the Asus ROG B650E-E model and I am not happy with the sound at all. It causes cracking in the sound especially in high basses. I tried different speakers but the result did not change at all. I have heard that there are many people who are using Realtek alc4080 and are not happy with this audio codec.
My previous motherboard was the ROG Crosshair X570. And it was much better in terms of sound.
Now, coming to my question, I want to buy a sound card.

Frankly, I do not have a very high-end sound system. But I want to buy a sound card that I can get quality sound with 2+1 or 5+1 systems for many years to come. I can choose the models I have shared below in the stocks of the country I am in.
Which one do you think I should buy?

Asus XONAR AE 7.1
Asus XONAR SE
Creative Audigy FX V2
Creative Sound Blaster RX

Note: I do not want to buy a DAC because I do not want it to take up extra space.

I would go with RX. The board looks good, with the 6 1/8th jacks plus Tos link.

I am using a Sound Blaster Z PCIE card, and usually can't turn volume over 2 without disturbing the house. 5.1 setup. PITA to switch from headphones though. IF I use their wireless feature.

 

[CP5670]

The Xonar AE is probably the best of these. I use an x-fi titanium HD from 2012 but works fine on Windows 11 and still has a top tier dac. They are about $100 on ebay. For speakers a $100-ish dac/amp would be better, the SMSL models are very compact and get loud easily.