sound card recommendations

[mathyou9]

I'm looking at buying a 5.1 sound card with S/PDIF output. Because of a ground loop I have, I would like it to have an optical output. However, a ground isolator for my cable line will solve the ground loop issue, so if it only has a digital coax output, that should be fine as well. And of course, if it has both optical and coax outputs, all the better. I'm not needing anything overly expensive, just a decent card that works.

Any recommendations?

Thanks

 

[gus6464]

Good price:

Turtle Beach Montego
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829118109

Cheaper than that:

Turtle Beach Riviera
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829118105

 

[Highbar]

It's so nice that someone else finally suggests the Turtle Beach cards. I've had one in my PC for years and love it. I recommend them all the time to people but they always go with the Sound Blaster because that's the name they know.

Anyway get the TB card you'll love it.

T

 

[FLMike]

Take a look at M-Audio

Take a look at M-audio. Their heritage is gear for musicians. I have one of their Delta-66 cards for playing and recording music on my PC. It is actually the oldest component in my computer. I think I bought it in 1998 or 1999 and it is still going strong. A few years ago they came out with a 7.1 card (the first on the market) and followed with a 5.1. I have read that the 5.1 is actually supoerior. I have not used them, but based upon my experience with their other products, they are worth a look.

http://www.audioholics.com/news/press-releases/m-audio-revolution-5-1-pci-sound-card-introduced

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.family&ID=PCIinterfaces

Good luck,

Mike

 

[stratman]

I just bought a Turtle Beach Montego DDL for my audio library PC rig. Great piece of hardware: Dolby Digital Live, 7.1 surround, SPDIF in/out, 24/96 Hi-res digital playback and record. Highly recommended. About $60.00 if you shop it. No hiccups with Vista 32.