Looking for a good PC sound card, need help.

[madrerik]

Just bought a fairly good 5.1 system that I'll be using with my PC and the next step is getting a sound card. I am looking for 5.1 THX certified, a really good one that allows me to connect my speakers via optical and does the encoding.. budget $200. Any help is appreciated and thanks in advance.

 

[slipperybidness]

Well, my understanding is that if you are using an optical connection, then the quality of the soundcard is much less important. If you are using optical, then you are just spitting out a digital signal and letting a DAC (sounds like in your AVR) do the dirty work. In that case, don't waste ur money on an expensive soundcard that you aren't using to its fullest potential. A good sound card is worth the $ if you are letting it do the digital to analog conversion. Of course, doing this job in the computer chasis, with stray interference and possibly compromised power may not be the best option.

That being said, if I were personally in the market for a top-notch sound card I would be looking into one of these (though I have no direct use of either).
Newegg.com - ASUS Xonar Essence STX Virtual 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Express x1 Interface 124 dB SNR / Headphone AMP Card
or
M-AUDIO - Audiophile 192 - High-Definition 4-In/4-Out Audio Card with Digital I/O and MIDI
Newegg.com - M-AUDIO Audiophile 2496 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface 4-In-4-Out Professional Audio Card with MIDI

 

[madrerik]

I see, well thank you very much!

 

[Oliver11]

I will recommend you the best Audion card is creative four channel this is the best and a quality audio card for your computer i am alsi using this audsion card otherwise your internal audio card is also very good and a best sound quality but the more best and play the more Sub Woofers you should purchase the Creative Four Channle Audsio Card....