Well then, how about TURTLE BEACH sound cards?

[bupkus]

These are listed as digital out which is cool for output to a stereo system.
But, is their sound quality for playing mp3's good?

TURTLE BEACH:MONTEGO II, AUDIO STATION 32, CD DRIVER , 18 BIT, 312 VOICE, AUREAL, A3D DIGITAL 2, OEM $16.95

TURTLE BEACH:MONTEGO QUADZLA, QUADZILLA PCI, 18BIT, 320 VOICES, AUREAL A3D DIGITAL 2, OEM. $33.95

 

[Erasmus-X]

Those are both very good sound cards. They are based on Aureal's Vortex2 chipset though, so expect iffy driver support, as Aureal is no longer in business.

If you still get one, I would spend the extra $$ and go with the Quadzilla (it has 4-speaker analog output).

 

[bupkus]

So now what? If SB is over hyped and over priced, and the best sounding alternative is based on the vortex2 which is out of business, and the Turtle Beach cards are based on the vortex2 what can I get?

 

[Wingznut]

Either the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, or the Philips Acoustic Edge. Depending on which physical features you are looking for.

 

[Zenmervolt]

The new Philips cards have been doing very well in reviews. I don't have personal experience with the philips cards though.

Zenmervolt

 

[Taz4158]

I had the Santa Cruz and much preferred it to my Live. I'm just waiting to get the AE here in Canada.

 

[aGeNt73]

both those boards are an excellent buy and I'd go with either one.