Best Soundcard for Wav files

Rambaud · 3 May 2006 at 15:22

I listen to most of my muisc on my PC - mainly WAV or APE (but sometimes MP3) - using the mobo's on-board sound and 2.1 speakers. No games, but some DVDs.

I am thinking of upgrading to a PCI or USB Soundcard.

Brother in law has offered a Videologic (Turtle Beach) SonicFury card. I assume that will be an improvement, but it is a bit old technology.

What about an EMU 0404, or X-Fi Extreme Music, Audigy 2 NX, M Audio Audiophile 2496 etc?

Budget is (up to) ~ £100.00

Rambaud · 3 May 2006 at 15:38

Andelusion said:
I'm using an M-Audio 192, tis basically the 'new' 2496, with a set of Alesis monitors, great sound quality, to hear any noticable improvement you'd have to spend a lot in my opinion.

Andelusion, do you think the 192 is worth the extra £55.00 over the 2496?

Rambaud · 5 May 2006 at 15:13

I have fitted the Turtle Beach soundcard - it's a Santa Cruz.

Although I have only been listening to it for only a few minutes, it is an improvement over the on-board sound - I was quite surprised actually.

Unfortunately, it's whetted my appetite.

So is something like an EMU 0404 etc going to be another reasonable improvement without spending too much money?

Rambaud · 19 May 2006 at 15:21

**UPDATE**

Following advice here, I have ordered an M-Audio Audiophile 192 soundcard.

And an external DAC for my cheapie DVD/SACD player arrived this morning. I am intending connecting it with the M-Audio card.