Upgrading my sound card and need some reccomendations

[MrBond]

I built a new rig a couple months ago and even though I installed my Turtle Beach Santa Cruz heart, I've been using the onboard audio (Realtek ALC889A) because it also powers the front panel jacks (which are very handy).

I don't know if it's the hardware or software, but I've been losing audio on one channel lately. I typically use my headphones, but every time I unplug them and it switches on the jack for my (2.1) speakers, I have no audio in the right channel. Unplugging the jack and plugging it back in usually brings it back. I thought it was my speakers for a while (they're about 10 years old), but I was just listening to them today and the right channel gradually faded out and shut off.

I was debating a new sound card anyway so I think I'm just going to upgrade. I am very happy with my Santa Cruz, but there's no front panel audio jacks so it's a no-go.

Are there any sound cards that I can plug my front panel audio connectors into? I'd like to avoid Creative if I can, but there's no real reason for that other than I don't like the company.

I'm running XP and will probably never upgrade to Vista unless I absolutely have to. Can anyone suggest a decent, non-Creative, sound card with front-panel audio pins?

 

[Blain]

Koutech

 

[konakona]

if you just need the accessibility and high quality audio playback I suggest you get a USB DAC that you could plugin to your front USB port. Sound quality would be unparalleled by most consumer grade sound cards. I have a monica2 being shipped to me as I speak, there are other avenues to explore in sub $200 range. Refer to the head-fi thread when the site (if ever) comes back up.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: Blain
Koutech

That's not what I need - my first post was a little unclear so I'll edit it. I already have front panel audio ports, I just need a card that has a plug on it so I can plug them in with the case's connector.

I don't really want to use a USB DAP either - the fewer things I have hanging off the front the better because my case sits on the floor.

I should see if there's new sound drivers for my onboard audio. I'm pretty much convinced it's something the software that's making me lose the right channel - I switched inputs and it did it again on me.

 

[Quiksilver]

There isn't very many sound cards with Front Panel Connectors on it, especially if you buy form creative; their whole ZS line doesn't support it at all and with the X-Fi cards you need to mod it to make it work.
I know the Auzentech cards (newst being Prelude) support front panel audio, but I'm not sure about other cards.

 

[Modelworks]

The auzentech meridian has front panel connectors and is a great card.
It can be hard to find though.
The chipset it uses is no longer in production so new cards are not being made.
Its still supported well though and has very good sound quality, better than anything creative has imo.

Also the chaintech av-710 has front panel connectors is a good card.