[GHM]

I'm setting up my new HTPC / Music server and wanted some advice on premium sound-cards. Looking for a card that has digital and analog outputs.This is what the build consists of so far:

Windows 7 Home premium 64 bit

ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
   
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor Model
     
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop
   
RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-530SS 530W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular LED P

 ZOTAC ZT-88TEY2P-FSP GeForce 8800 GT 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Sony Blu-ray Drive

Here's the new case.

[JimJ]

How much do you have to spend?

[GHM]

Let's make it $250 max.
Thanks

[JimJ]

I'd check out M-Audio

[GHM]

Is there a specific M-audio model you recommend?
THX

[jqp]

I would also definitely check out M-Audio - they are now part of Avid. You can spend a lot so make sure you really need the features

[GHM]

OK thanks I'll google search M-audio .

[bregez]

In your price range you have 3 main choices:

First: ESI Juli@
http://www.esi-audio.com/products/julia/
Second:E-MU Systems 1212M
http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?category=505&subcategory=491&product=9872
Third: M-Audio 192
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Audiophile192.html

There are lots of comparisons among the three online in addition to individual card reviews.  In reading the reviews, I have come to the conclusion that they all sound similar.  The decision on which one to buy will likely be based on features.  For example, the Juli@ has unbalanced and balanced outputs where the other cards only have balanced outputs.  The M-Audio is the only card that will work with pro-tools.  Etc…

If there is a card I have left out of the three please let me know, I am also in the market for a new card.

Brad

[mshan]

On very low end, Asus Xonar DX.

Higher end, Asus Xonar Essence STX:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132010
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f43/fs-asus-xonar-essence-stx-stock-470221/

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f46/

Also kind of seems like your rig might consume a fair amount of power and have a number of fans in it.  Check out Silent PC Review.   They have found it is very hard to contain noisy components in a case, you really need to start out with quiet / silent components, and low overall power consumption hopefully means psu fan doesn't spin up tremendously and low speed case fan can maintain adequte temps.

If you are not gaming, something like an ATI 4350 or 4550 passively cooled video card is all you really need:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3420
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=329070

My Windows 7 box pulls about 50w at idle, 60 something under moderate load  (Intel DG31PR, Intel e7200, 2 x 2 GB G. Skill PC6400 RAM, WD6400AAKS, Pioneer 215 burner, and Seasonic Super Tornado 300w psu), Scythe Ninja hsf with low speed Yate Loom and single low speed Yate loom as case fan).  Very nice and quiet, doesn't generate much heat so psu fan doesn't spin up very often, and still very snappy and responsive in Windows 7.

[GHM]

In your price range you have 3 main choices:

First: ESI Juli@
http://www.esi-audio.com/products/julia/
Second:E-MU Systems 1212M
http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?category=505&subcategory=491&product=9872
Third: M-Audio 192
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Audiophile192.html

There are lots of comparisons among the three online in addition to individual card reviews.  In reading the reviews, I have come to the conclusion that they all sound similar.  The decision on which one to buy will likely be based on features.  For example, the Juli@ has unbalanced and balanced outputs where the other cards only have balanced outputs.  The M-Audio is the only card that will work with pro-tools.  Etc…

If there is a card I have left out of the three please let me know, I am also in the market for a new card.

Brad

Thanks Brad for the links.
I've seen a lot of talk about these particular cards. I'll look them over for sure!

On very low end, Asus Xonar DX.

Higher end, Asus Xonar Essence STX:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132010
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f43/fs-asus-xonar-essence-stx-stock-470221/

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f46/

Also kind of seems like your rig might consume a fair amount of power and have a number of fans in it.  Check out Silent PC Review.   They have found it is very hard to contain noisy components in a case, you really need to start out with quiet / silent components, and low overall power consumption hopefully means psu fan doesn't spin up tremendously and low speed case fan can maintain adequte temps.

If you are not gaming, something like an ATI 4350 or 4550 passively cooled video card is all you really need:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3420
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=329070

My Windows 7 box pulls about 50w at idle, 60 something under moderate load  (Intel DG31PR, Intel e7200, 2 x 2 GB G. Skill PC6400 RAM, WD6400AAKS, Pioneer 215 burner, and Seasonic Super Tornado 300w psu), Scythe Ninja hsf with low speed Yate Loom and single low speed Yate loom as case fan).  Very nice and quiet, doesn't generate much heat so psu fan doesn't spin up very often, and still very snappy and responsive in Windows 7.

Thanks for all the suggestions on improving efficiency.
This setup is already built. I'm not sure about the power draw. Yes it uses three fans total. It maybe a little overbuilt for my uses but it sure can plow through whatever I can throw at it.

I wanted a platform I could build on. I plan to add a 3D projector down the road. Nvidia seems to be ahead in that area. That is one of the reasons I stuck with my old but trusty 8800 GT.

I also use this PC to stream Media to other PCs in the apartment. I didn't realize how powerful the AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto is.

It literally wipes the floor with my Intel Quad Core 2.3 Ghz PC!
I never know when I'll play a blu ray disc either. So I'm not sure if efficiency would do me well with such a power hungry program.

I do remember scanning through this article or one similar a few months back.

[angelo]

I recommend the USB DAC soundcard Musiland US 02. It has analog/digital output and a pretty good headphone out.

you can read more info at http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f46/musiland-monitor-02-us-443786/

it costs $135 shipped from ebay.