Recommand me a 2 channel sound card

[ivan2]

My EMU-0404 is cracking in Vista for some reason, I am not going to wait until they release a new driver to fix that. I am looking for a new 2 channel sound card.

Requirement: Has to do 2 channels well, as well as EMU-0404 at least, audiophile grade is better.

Input/Output: need to have analog line level out. If there is toslink out it is better but i won't insist on getting that.

EAX3/Audigy1/2: doesn't matter

2.1/5.1/6.1/7.1: I am open to them, but they are not a requirement. As long as it does 2 channels perfectly.

Also, no more EMU boards, had a few compatibility issues in XP before and now in vista. Externals boards are OK.

I hope it will also have WHQL drivers available for vista.

Budget: I am guessing $200 now, unless there's a holy grail board that cost just a tad bit more...

Thank you in advance!!

 

[heyheybooboo]

Do you need the whole dongle thing with MIDI, analog 2-channel I/O or are you just looking for a sound card?

 

[ivan2]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
Do you need the whole dongle thing with MIDI, analog 2-channel I/O or are you just looking for a sound card?

just the sound card, I don't need midi.

 

[PurdueRy]

I assume you've tried uninstalling entirely(the card) and reinstalling with the latest 2.1 drivers? I have used my 1212m in two different Vista x64 system and it's worked perfectly.

The 2.1 drivers are relatively new.

Try switching the card to a different PCI slot if one is available.

 

[ivan2]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
I assume you've tried uninstalling entirely(the card) and reinstalling with the latest 2.1 drivers? I have used my 1212m in two different Vista x64 system and it's worked perfectly.

The 2.1 drivers are relatively new.

Try switching the card to a different PCI slot if one is available.

I will try that this weekend. the driver i installed is the latest because i just installed vista a few weeks back. i've heard of interference with the video card on the 0404 but it is already furthest away from that.

anyone else know of any good sound cards?

 

[Tiamat]

At 200$, your options are pretty limited. Im personally looking at a Benchmark DAC (USB), but it is beyond your budget...

 

[ivan2]

alright it seems switching it to another PCI slot solved the problem, so i am going to stick with it for a bit longer. thank you guys.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: ivan2
alright it seems switching it to another PCI slot solved the problem, so i am going to stick with it for a bit longer. thank you guys.

:thumbsup:

 

[ivan2]

it started to happen again =(, switched the sound back to onboard... gonna see if I will get used to it tomorrow when everyone's awake...

going to get this one as replacement.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16829121120

 

[Killmenow]

Originally posted by: ivan2

Budget: I am guessing $200 now, unless there's a holy grail board that cost just a tad bit more...

Thank you in advance!!

"Tad" is subjective right? How about a Lynx L22. It's even 2 channels Not sure about the Vista drivers though... or the analog line level out part. Anywho, on a more serious tone, if you haven't jumped the gun yet, why not also look into the Audiophile 192 version since it's about the same price. Specs for the DAC seems to be noticeably better (specs taken from AKM of course). But yeah... who knows, I'm terrible at this, maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut.

 

[ivan2]

u know what i still haven't jumped the gun on the soundcard yet. but I bought a used Zero DAC/amp to use as DAC. I am suspecting that ethernet activity is at fault now. Because even onboard sound is bad now and it breaks down whenever there's heavy traffic (steam updates, BT, youtube video, etc). Gonna see if optical out will be able to fix that problem.

 

[Killmenow]

Hmmmm, could it be your power supply acting up? Or even your wall outlet? When I have my headphones plugged into my speaker's headphone jack (long story), it would buzz/crackle every time the power hiccuped (UPS would switch on, but speakers weren't actually connected to it).

 

[Dirigible]

Grammar Nazi!

"Recommend a 2-channel sound card to me."

 

[scott916]

Mine has been having issues in Windows 7. Hopefully when I install RC1 it will fix them.