Best Sub $200 sound card

[BrokenHalo83]

I'm looking to pick up a sound card for my computer. Mostly play games and listen to music. Watch movies and such every now and then. Any ideas?

 

[member 3099]

Auzentech prelude is an idea.

 

[Sushi Warrior]

Asus Xonar D1, DX, D2 or D2X. You could also consider the Essence STX, not sure how much it is ATM.

 

[headsh0t]

Azunetech for the EAX.

 

[Lpfan4ever]

I'd say the Auzentech Forte as I have one and it's amazing for gaming. I also swapped out the OpAmp for a Burr Brown one and damn it sounds amazing. Plus, I don't know if you have super high end headphones or something, but the built in headphone amp is always a bonus.
To my knowledge, the Asus cards are more focused towards home theatre setups. I'm not saying they're bad for gaming, but I think an Auzentech card will do you better for gaming. Forte or Prelude, they're both good.

 

[lowfat]

Depends on if you are a fan of EAX or not. But my vote would go for either the Xonar Essence STX for headphones/2 speakers or the Xonar D2X for 5.1/7.1. Although the Prelude/Forte are comparable cards.

 

[BrokenHalo83]

hmmm, lots to consider. I do have a set of z-5500's but hardly use them due to me having a pair of grado sr125i headphones.

 

[mckchun]

xonar dx and X-fi titanium, depends on whether you are fond of eax or not

 

[Fudd Rucker]

X-fi titaniaum works great, but you lose Dolby Digital Live and DTS encoding with windows 7. Was a big let down for me as I either have the option now of simulated surround or 2.1 mode which sucks because i have a very nice Polk 5.1 coupled with a Harmon Kardon reciver which sounds absoulutly amazing when running DDL or DTS encoding. The part I really dont get is my old gigybyte am2 board had dolby digital live encoding working just fine with windows 7, but the creative package doesnt.

 

[icarus2]

I second Xonar D2X or Xonar Essence STX...last sound card you will ever buy.