Best Audiophile grade 2-channel internal sound card..

[gimisounds]

I was wondering if you guys can recommend any high quality 2 channel sound cards so that I can get the best possible 2 channel sound out of my computer. I have about 200GB of music that I'd like to play through my system. What connection type should I choose? Cost is really no object, but I would like it to be internal just to keep things clean. I don't care about any type of seven-channel DTS options as the only purpose I intend on using the sound card for is playing MP3's on my primary 2 channel system. Any suggestions.

Thanks,

Gimi

 

[jonnythan]

If you use a digital output from any ol sound card that has a digital out, it will be as good as it gets.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829117108 will do the job just fine. Shouldn't sound different than anything else.

Don't expect your MP3's to sound as good as CD's, of course.

 

[kleinwl]

If you use a digital output from any ol sound card that has a digital out, it will be as good as it gets.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829117108 will do the job just fine. Shouldn't sound different than anything else.

Don't expect your MP3's to sound as good as CD's, of course.

The issue with that solution is that it supposes that your receiver/speakers are digital. If that is not the case, then you are relying on the DAC in the reciever or on sound card to convert them. X-fi extreme music from creative is a good all purpose sound card, that's not too expensive. It has very good DACs for converting digital to analog if that's necessary.

 

[sherjeeldheda]

I suggest you visit http://head-fi.org specifically the Computre-as-Source and Dedicated Source Components forums.

Since you want a soundcard your best solution would be an EMU 1212m.

 

[jonnythan]

The issue with that solution is that it supposes that your receiver/speakers are digital. If that is not the case, then you are relying on the DAC in the reciever or on sound card to convert them. X-fi extreme music from creative is a good all purpose sound card, that's not too expensive. It has very good DACs for converting digital to analog if that's necessary.

He's referring to his "primary 2-channel system," so I would assume he has something that can take a digital input. If not, then he needs a high quality sound card

 

[jaxvon]

The M-Audio Audiophile is also a good 2ch card without all the garbage that comes with Creative's drivers.

 

[Hi Ho]

I seconds Jaxvon's M-Audio recommendation. The Creative cards sound excellent but if you have no need for multi-channel and other game oriented features the Audiophile 2496 is an excellent choice.

 

[Audiacc]

EMU 0404 would be another option.