My trusty soundcard is now 5 years old and itching for replacement to bring it into line with the rest of my system. I've read dozens of posts on forums but there is no decisive indication of what's best for my needs. My criteria are as follows:

1. It's going to be used 80% for 2-channel stereo audio (usually high-bitrate MP3's or audio CD), and 20% for 5.1 (DVD, PS2 via TV tuner, DVD-A) - hence should preferably give top quality 5.1 sound.

2. Top quality DAC's and digital outputs. I've always used coaxial SPDIF between my SB Live and system, and want to have a similar level of signal transmission.

3. My priority is faithful musical reproduction - not bothered about gaming functionality, Firewire, etc.

I'm convinced I can get something that meets my needs within GBP 50 (around $100), and my options are:

(i) M-Audio Revolution 5.1 (nice, but relatively pricey) - £60
(ii) Creative Audigy2 Value (just an Audigy2 ZS with no Firewire and 1/3 of the price) - £25
(iii) E-MU 0404 (no 5.1 but is the 2 channel worth the compromise?) - circa £65

Alternatively, would I better off keeping my money and my old SB Live SPDIF (which was a brilliant product and really delivered the good over the years)?

0404 uses the highest end flagship AKM DAC, AK4395 for its analog outputs. And yes, after hearing the 0404, I was really impressed. A soundcard from EMU/Creative that can actually sound good and so unlike anything Creative has forced on consumers.

Don't waste your money on the Audigy2 Value. The Live 24bit has the same CS4382 DAC and is cheaper than the A2V if you want the Sound Mangler kind of sound.

Another card you should consider is the Audiotrak Prodigy 7.1 LT.

http://www.audiotrak.net/prodigy7.1LT.htm

Hmm.. the Prodigy looks quite appealing but isn't easily available in the UK. Also, doesn't have 5.1 which, come to think of it, I do really want.

Top of the pile at the moment is the M-Audio Revolution 5.1. It's got the Envy24 chipset, good quality DAC's, 5.1 outputs, evidently good drivers, and should interface well with my Denon...

What do you mean? Prodigy 7.1 LT is a 7.1 channel soundcard. It can also do 5.1 and headphone output simultaneously. And one thing, M-Audio has spotty driver updates, Audiotrak just last week or so updated the drivers for the Prodigy 7.1 LT. And the LT has a good DAC also.

Was referring to the E-MU...

The Prodigy does look good, but its simply not available in the UK!

Thats truly strange, because I know someone who actually imported an LT from the UK to the US.

Update:

http://www.audiotrak.net/international.htm#c30

The LT is available in the UK, as you can see from the link above.

If you are just going to be using digital out go for the venerable Chaintech av-710.

I also have question about the E-MU 0404, I allready know that this card has great analog output and I would almost buy it only for this.
But is it also possible to pass a 5.1 signal through spdif to an amp? Currently I'm using a terratec aureon 5.1 and this is a good soundcard but my standalone cdplayer still sounds better (more lively).

For 2 Channel Analog out, Chaintech's AV710 has a high quality 24bit/192khz Wolfson DAC. For 5.1 the AV710 also has bitperfect SPDIF digital output. You can buy this card for ~ $25.00, but if you want a high quality 5.1 analog out card, id look elsewhere.

The Prodigy cards are available in the UK, here: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/

As of now, the answer is no.

I would seriously recommend EMU 0404 if all you want is better music reproduction/sound quality.

Oc don't seem to sell any sound cards.... lots of nice kit.. but no sound cards!

da daa daaaaa...

there hidden under sound cards

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Onl...d_Cards_11.html

Absolutely. I've had the 0404 for three weeks now, and the quality boost is more than noticeable — it's downright jaw-dropping. Already it enamoured two of my friends, and they will soon be getting their own.

If quality is your main criterion, the E-mu 0404 is your best choice.

How about the Hercules Gamesurround Fortissimo IV?
Envy24HT with Wolfson DAC WM8776 (Stereo) and WM8766 (6ch)

My Vote - EMU is worth it - killer stereo only performance. But I would only go for it if you are NAD, Rotel, Marantzy type of guy.

I have EMU & use onboard for 5.1

Cool - will be hooking up my sound card to a high quality Denon av receiver - the options are see are basically as follows:

M-Audio Revolution 5.1
E-MU 0404

But what is the cheapest way to get these in the UK?? Overclockers has the M-Audio for £49+VAT, and NU Systems has the EMU for £65 inc.

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/br...b16180db6148194
£65 inc VAT plus delivery. I don't think you'll actually find them any cheaper in the UK.

I've got the Prodigy 7.1 LT and it's a good card. It's a shame it doesn't have any digital inputs, though, unlike the standard Prodigy 7.1 non-LT. I don't think the LT has Sensura 3D hardware extensions either.

Also note that while the LT is readily available in the UK, the standard non-LT is nowhere to be seen over here.

Let's go into some more detail...

Which cards have which DAC's, what are their S/N ratios, and headphone amp ratings?

M-Audio Audiphile 2496
M-Audio Revolution 5.1
E-MU 0404
Chaintech AV-710
Prodigy

Wolfson WM8728 DAC, -103dB SNR (A-weighting), no headphone amplifier or anything at all besides the DAC chip. May be able to drive some headphones loud enough, but IMO it would be abuse of the DAC

The E-MU 0404 boasts a Burr-Brown PCM1804 ADC and an AKM AK4395 DAC. S/N ratios are 116 dB (D->A) and 111 dB (A->D), and many RMAA tests come very close to it. Read this E-MU 0404 review for more details.

You will need a headphone amp.