What sound cards are working reliably under Windows 8.1

[dj4005]

I would like to upgrade my system from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1. Unfortunately, that seems to mean retiring my old M-Audio 2496. It's had a good run and it's unlikely to survive my next hardware upgrade anyway, being a PCI card. The problem is that there are no drivers for 8.1.

In looking around for some of the better cards, from Asus and Creative (I'd like to stick to cards with RCA I/O if possible), it seems that LOTS of cards are having Windows 8.1 driver issues.

Are there ANY good sound cards that work reliably under Windows 8.1?

The bulk of what I'm doing is capturing radio programming from various websites, providers such as Rhapsody and off the air from my receiver. So, I'd like something better than on-board audio provides.

Any recommendations? THANKS in advance

 

[BrightCandle]

Both my soundblaster Z and the Asus Xonar D2X are working happily under Windows 8.

 

[Mem]

Asus Xonar DX( new drivers at Asus website ),my laptop uses realtek onboard sound which works fine with latest drivers from their website.

 

[blotto]

My Creative Xfi Titanium HD works great under 8 but not at all under 8.1. Creative says new drivers are coming this month but we'll see how that goes.

 

[hans030390]

I've tested my Auzentech Bravura and Onkyo SE-200PCI sound cards with 8.1, and they both worked just fine.

Speaking of which...I'm actually thinking about selling the Onkyo sound card. Shoot me a PM if you would happen to be interested.

 

[uclabachelor]

I would like to upgrade my system from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1. Unfortunately, that seems to mean retiring my old M-Audio 2496. It's had a good run and it's unlikely to survive my next hardware upgrade anyway, being a PCI card. The problem is that there are no drivers for 8.1.

In looking around for some of the better cards, from Asus and Creative (I'd like to stick to cards with RCA I/O if possible), it seems that LOTS of cards are having Windows 8.1 driver issues.

Are there ANY good sound cards that work reliably under Windows 8.1?

The bulk of what I'm doing is capturing radio programming from various websites, providers such as Rhapsody and off the air from my receiver. So, I'd like something better than on-board audio provides.

Any recommendations? THANKS in advance

Do you need it to be a PCI card?

If you don't mind a USB based sound card, check out Logicform NV1 USB Preamp. I have that with the Yamaha studio monitors I've posted a few weeks back in this post here.

The NV1 USB preamp basically shows up as a sound card on your audio devices list and the audio quality is the best I've heard. You basically plug the unit into a USB port and connect the RCA outs to your amplifier, or in my case, the powered speakers.

It's $120 and you can get similar USB audio devices that are around $50 on ebay, but you're rolling the dice in terms of sound quality. I've used it with my Win 8.1 PC and my macbook air.

 

[dj4005]

No, in fact I am trying to break away from the PCI interface because it not likely to be on my next build.

I read your post and REALLY liked the concept! I'm doing something very similar. The RCA jacks on my 2496 go to the tape in on a Yamaha receiver. This particular receiver has a feature that seems to rarer and rarer these days - a jumper between the pre-amp and amp sections. The pre-amp out feeds my Paradigm sub-woofer and Event 20-20bas monitors.

I've tried a LOT of setups over the years and find this works quite well, which is why I'd like to continue it into the future.

 

[hans030390]

Oops, forgot you were looking to get away from PCI (Bravura is still PCI-E, though).

If USB sound cards are an option, look into the Creative X-Fi HD USB (SB1240). Fantastic little unit with plenty of features at a fairly low price. I can provide measurements (Rightmark, ARTA, etc.) if you'd like.

 

[dj4005]

The USB cards might be an option for some time in the future, but currently not. I'm still recording a program of Baroque music off the local FM station and while the reception isn't pristine, it's still better than the low band-width version available off the internet.

Thanks anyway...

 

[hans030390]

I'm not sure I understand why that rules out a USB sound card...

 

[dj4005]

Traditional sound cards and onboard audio allows me the opportunity to grab sounds off the internet (my primary source of audio) as well as a line-in source (the line-out of my receiver). The line-in source is what I'm trying to preserve for some FM programming as the local FM online presence is VERY low bandwidth. I'd also like to allow for the possibility of other inputs (tape, turntable, whatever).

Looking at the Logicform NV1 USB Audio Preamp as suggested by uclabachelor, the ONLY input is USB in which pretty much kills the possibility of inputs from my receiver.