Sound Card Recommendations?

[Edmonton]

my computer is 3 years old - HP with Windows XP with original sound card (Realtek ALC 888)

i am selling my Logitech Z-2300, and i want to run to a receiver which will run a couple bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer.

all i really want is to play music on this. which sound card do people recommend for this?

i don't have a receiver to do this yet, i want to get the sound card first then pick a receiver to compliment it later.

is a card with Optical best, or RCA's? or is there something else i should consider?

thanks
​

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

One of the best sounds card on the budget is Asus Xonar DS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132013&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Sound+Card-_-ASUS-_-29132013
40 AR + 2 S&H = you can't go wrong...
There are of course better cards out there, but you can't buy better card for $40

What speakers/sub are you looking to get? Whats the budget?

 

[Edmonton]

One of the best sounds card on the budget is Asus Xonar DS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132013&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Sound+Card-_-ASUS-_-29132013
40 AR + 2 S&H = you can't go wrong...
There are of course better cards out there, but you can't buy better card for $40

thanks for the reply - i will check it out

What speakers/sub are you looking to get? Whats the budget?

i try to be as cheap as possible, the prices to buy in Canada are usually higher than paying to ship/duty/brokerage fees from american companies. very few companies ship to Canada though

some ideas i have so far, feel free to critique my ideas.

Wharfedale Package (don't need all the pieces but i like the price)
4 Bookshelf Speakers - 2 Diamond 9.0 + 2 9.SR
1 Centre Channel - Diamond 9.cc
1 Subwoofer - SW150 - 10" Powered Sub
534.96 Shipped to Canada

Jamo
Jamo C 403 (Dark Apple) - 149.88
Jamo SUB250BA - 129.88

Premiere Acoustic
Premier Acoustic PA-4.0 Monitors - 104.00
Premier Acoustic PA-120 Subwoofer - 229.00

if i open up the budget a bit

Axiom
EP125 8" Subwoofer - 375.00
M3 V2 Bookshelf Speakers - 330.00


couple receivers i am looking at
Yamaha RX-V363 (Usaworldsales.com - not sure if reputable outlet) - 139.00
used Yamaha HTR-6060 - 229.00

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

About AVR: I like HTR-6060 more, however you might to checkout accessories4less big selection of refub avrs - refub Marantz, Denon or Onkyo will be much better choice than newer same prices Yamaha/Pioneer

I liked Wharfardale a lot, I'd recommend to get two better bookshelf's from them, but get a sub from dedicated sub maker like Elemental Designs, SVS or HSU.

Jamo is good value too. Axioms are generally good, a bit overpriced thou.
I'd rec to stay way from PA.

 

[billy p]

Asus Xonar DS

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5474770&CatId=107

newegg.ca also sells that sound card with a similar mail in offer....fwiw

I was checking out sound cards today....

 

[Edmonton]

i went with

Harman Kardon HK-3390 Receiver
Infinity P162 Bookshelf
Infinity PS28 8" Subwoofer
Asus Xonar DS


i noticed Vann's had the Jamo Sub550 for 199.99 (reg 599.99) but they don't ship to Canada and no retailers who do ship to Canada would match that price

now i need to get a bigger computer desk...