After doing some research, I'm somewhat stuck in deciding what sound card I should purchase. The main purpose of the card (other than for a great listening experience) would be to record my vinyls to digital format using Audition 2.0. I was leaning toward the X-Fi XtremeMusic Card, but after searching around HA, I found that many users did not like it. I later went on to read that many users (from Creative's support forums) were having problems with it clicking and popping. I guess I was also then turned off a bit by the 96kHz ADC sampling rate when other, comparable cards have a 192kHz rate. I then read that some users liked the Chaintech AV-710, the Audiotrak Prodigy 7.1, the Turtle Beach Montego, and the Creative Audigy2. I guess what I am asking for is some direction towards picking one. If I'm just looking for a card that sounds great, records LPs great, plays DVDs nicely with 5.1 (7.1 if possible), and S/PDIF in and out ports (gaming isn't high priority), what specs should I be looking at, and are these cards good solutions? Any other recommendations or suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!

You may have difficulty finding a multichannel sound card that is good at recording. You could always get two soundcards and use one for recording and one multichannel one.

Thanks for the advice CSMR, but I already went with the X-Fi. I must say though, the recording and playback is not bad at all on this card. I am (so far) impressed.

I use a Creative Audigy2 ZS Platinum. No problems yet...

I would have suggested that if you hadn't ruled it out!

I've seen the Creative cards bashed a bit, but my Audigy 2ZS seems to record just fine.
Glad the X FI worked out for you. Now if I could find a 6ch in that cheap.....

CSMR - haha, yes, I take back all of the regrets and "bashings" I had about the X-Fi - it worked out fine for me. Boondocks - good luck on your search. If you're in the market for cards, I would recommend checking out the obvious (Amazon, EBay, and New Egg) and maybe the not so obvious (Pricewatch.com) for better prices. Good luck!