Sound Card

Could someone advise me on the best Sound Card with Optical connections that i can use with my Logitech Z-5500 5.1 Speakers. This will mainly be used for playing music on my PC. The price i am looking at paying is a maximum of GBP 100 (US $160.00).

I have been looking at the spec of the Asus Xonar D2X, Does anyone own this card and what is it like ?

@Britmonkey, If i dont get any advise in this forum then i will put in pictures of nekkid women and move it to NPB where the crowds gather !

The Xonar is a fine audio card, but personally I have only installed one soundcard in any of my last three builds. It was a Creative XiFi and it was nice, but I couldn't differentiate much of a sound difference between that and the onboard audio.

Very Tidy PC Kanzen , I have the Creative X-fi but it lacks Optical output and is just about deceased, the onboard audio on my pc lacks clarity and my speaker set up is crying out for something different.

Actually I find it very messy, but the airflow is good enough. Next time I will pass on the XL-ATX mobos, they requre two extra PSU connections. Shit sucks for wiring, but still an excellent board. Next time I will stick with a regular ATX mobo. Now this part will piss you off, maybe, that/this machine is mostly used as a Hackintosh. Hackintosh 90% of the time and the other 10% for the hardcore gaming (Skyrim, Battlefield 3, Crysis 2, etc.).

Mmmm Skyrim.

Mmmm The Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings Enhanced Edition.

That's a lot of words for a title.

What is a sound card? (really)

I feel that a few "Nekkid Women" may have to be posted soon.

@Punnani, Bah who wants to see nekkid women, I spend more time looking at the decor in the background these days. Have you seen the state of some of these wimmins bedrooms!!!!

Anyways dont have any experience of the Logitech but the creative gets good reviews and is right in your price range.
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/soundcards/70sb135000002.html

I bought my PC about two years ago, which is a HP Pavilion Elite... It has onboard optical audio and digital coax output. I use the optical output with a 5.1 / 1000w system and I think it sounds just as rich as my Dolby surround sound system on my TV. I was under the impression that lately onboard sound, more so the HD family was as good as any sound card. I really didn't even know next generation PCI sound cards existed! The last sound card I ever bought was a Sound Blaster Live! w/ EAX. lol

Quote:

Originally posted by britmonkey

@Punnani, Bah who wants to see nekkid women, I spend more time looking at the decor in the background these days. Have you seen the state of some of these wimmins bedrooms!!!!

Anyways dont have any experience of the Logitech but the creative gets good reviews and is right in your price range.
[ Link ]

Thanks Britmonkey, I must look at the decore rather than the babes.

Quote:

Originally posted by crazunitium

I bought my PC about two years ago, which is a HP Pavilion Elite... It has onboard optical audio and digital coax output. I use the optical output with a 5.1 / 1000w system and I think it sounds just as rich as my Dolby surround sound system on my TV. I was under the impression that lately onboard sound, more so the HD family was as good as any sound card. I really didn't even know next generation PCI sound cards existed! The last sound card I ever bought was a Sound Blaster Live! w/ EAX. lol

Thanks mate, I have tried the onboard sound on my pc and it really is not that good. It will be cheaper for me to purchase a sound card rather than change my board. I have decided to move away from Sound Blaster for a change and i have now ordered the Asus Zonar 2DX as it has been voted the Best Sound Card in my price range, I should have it by the weekend and i will let you know how i get on.

Well, I purchased the Asus Zonar D2X and i am very pleased with it.