best Soundcard for headphone listening Options

[footballking3420]

Could somebody recommend me the best soundcard for headphone listening under $200? I'm looking to replace my Audigy 4 card.

[digital]

Quite honestly, I'd be amazed if any of the current crop of sound cards were in fact 'crap' as far as actual sound reproduction. One might find differences in drivers / ease of install, etc., but as far as the actual hardware...

As a PC technician with years of experience in the field, I'd have to say, any of the dozen or so modern cards I see on daily basis are all of outstanding quality. Most issues with regards to drivers come from inexperienced users attempting to install drivers (not generally an ‘easy as you might’ think task for the uninitiated), and other applications (nefarious spyware etc.), buggering with the operating systems control of said drivers.

I would suggest that even the most basic of the new Creative Labs ‘X-Fi’ cards would do the trick for you. Check out the ‘X-Fi Extreme Music’ series here:

http://us.creative.com/products/product.as...p;product=14066

You’ll likely be able to pick it up from Ncix.com, TigerDirect.ca or eBay for much less.

Andrew D.
www.cdnav.com

This post has been edited by digital: Jan 15 2008, 09:46