I need help picking which soundcard to buy....

vpolineni · « **on:** 15 Oct 2003, 03:39 am »

to all of you computer experts out there:
I need your help picking which sound card to buy. I used to have a stereolink but would like to buy a pci sound card with a digital out which will go to a high quality dac. At first, I planned on buying this:
the m-audio revolution sound card
http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?image=29-121-101-05.JPG/29-121-101-06.JPG/29-121-101-07.jpg/29-121-101-04.JPG

Then I saw this.. is this better?
http://www.core-sound.com/audiophile_2496.html

The m-audio revolution seems to be the ticket... all I care about is the digital out. Is it all I need... Please let me know what you guys think. thanks.

bob82274 · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 03:55 am »

Prior to reading your post I was going to suggest the M-Audio to begin with. If my MoBo didn't already have Toslink and Coax out its the one I would have bought. It looks like the other is made by M-Audio as well. I think that they both would serve you well but I would go with the one from newegg (havn't every had a problem with them either and have bought close to $2000 worth of stuff from them)

Monolith · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 04:21 am »

JandR has the card for $98 with a $20 rebate. They also might match NewEggs if they are an authorized seller making it even cheaper.

JandR M-Audio Card Page

vpolineni · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 04:33 am »

The box on the j&r website looks different than the box on the newegg and m-audio website. same product though.. i put in a request at j&r to have the price lowered to 90.. i'll let you know how it goes. thanks for the link.

EchiDna · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 04:34 am »

the audiophile 2496 and the revolution are both M-Audio products with the revo being newer and sporting somewhat better specifications, however the differences between the two are minimal in terms of sound quality from all reports (I've got the revo myself and have heard but not owned the Audiophile)

really you can't go wrong with the revo as it's drivers are optimised for home theatre and home audio use, the tech is newer and more advanced and there is a mod community swapping op amps, changing outputs and similar tweaks that you can draw information from. Probably the best place to find that kind of info is in the AVS forum for HTPC's...

I've used the revo with my modified ART DIO as a DAC and the SQ is very good indeed, now if only my PC was silent

vpolineni · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Oct 2003, 04:40 am »

thanks for the advise echidna. I have the same problem with my computer being loud. Here's a tip that might help you out-Place your computer far away from your listening area. Either a wireless keyboard/mouse or a long usb cable and ps/2 cable will allow you to place your computer far away from you when you listen to music. My computer is now behind my speakers in the corner of my room.