Which Soundcard do you recomment?

[Frankster72]

Hi,

I would like to connect an power-amplifier directly to my HTPC. Which soundcard do you recommend with hifi qualities.

how wonder how the difference will be between a good soundcard and a decent pre-amp.

best regards,
frank

[Hdale85]

I've been eying the Auzentech X-Fi Prelude its somewhat tweakable in the sense that you can change out the opamps if you feel the need to. Also Auzentech has much better driver support then creative and have been able to deliver a lot of stuff that creative was not able to do in its own X-fi cards.

[Frankster72]

you mean this one: http://geizhals.at/deutschland/a275532.html

it's quite expensive - really worth the sound quality?

[Hdale85]

Hmm thats quite a bit more then it is here

How much do you want to spend? It is a really nice card though.

[Frankster72]

how much was your price?
I would like to stay < 100 EUR. Or maybe get an external solution (USB 2.0, Firewire)

also one of the soundblasters should sound quite good I've heard

[Denton]

I've had very good luck with the M-Audio Delta Audiophile 2496, a PCI type. It has settings in it for use with both "home" and pro equipment; perhaps that flexibility would help with the plans you have. Take a look at the specs and manual on M-Audio's web site.

M-Audio Delta Audiophile 2496

Good luck.

[Glen B]

I also use the M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 card to transfer vinyl to CD-R with excellent results.

[Frankster72]

oh no, don't get mit missunderstood. I need nothing for recording. just need an audiophile soundcard with an 5.1 output

[Denton]

I need nothing for recording. just need an audiophile soundcard with an 5.1 output

The 2496 is 2 channel, although it will pass a digital signal for processing downstream. I know nothing about M-Audio's multi-channel cards. Good luck.