Best Sound Card

[Nexo]

What is the best sound card?

[Shd0w2]

I heard the asus xonar's are good for their price?

[CoolBeans]

O2 DAC/AMP combo 

[Bloodyvalley]

Budget?

[sonarctica]

What do you plan on doing... what is your audio setup like?

[Nexo]

My budget is $150. I'm still choosing a good speaker.

[Nexo]

Is this the ASUS XONAR? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132006

[tedjani]

O2 DAC/AMP combo 

i'm with you on this

[MayflowerElectronics]

You don't need a sound card for speakers.

[Nexo]

You don't need a sound card for speakers.

Really what are they for then?

[Sors]

Really what are they for then?

He means that speakers would sound fine with the integrated audio of your motherboard. No need for a sound card.

[EmoRarity]

Really what are they for then?

Now-a-days, this is a really good question. And the answer for most users, is not much. 

[Nexo]

Would a 7.1 channels on motherboards work fine?

[EmoRarity]

Would a 7.1 channel work fine on a motherboard?

If the motherboard has a digital out, probably. 

If it has analog 7.1 out, yeah. 

[Nexo]

If the motherboard has a digital out, probably. 

If it has analog 7.1 out, yeah. 

The motherboard is GIGABYTE Z87X-OC

[EmoRarity]

The motherboard is GIGABYTE Z87X-OC

Has digital out, can do 7.1 over that if the receiver has digital in. 

[Nexo]

Has digital out, can do 7.1 over that if the receiver has digital in. 

So I don't need sound card? I'm a new to sound devices.

[EmoRarity]

So I don't need sound card? I'm a new to sound devices.

In a nutshell, you don't need a soundcard. And because you are new, lets leave it at that. 

[Nexo]

In a nutshell, you don't need a soundcard. And because you are new, lets leave it at that. 

Alright thanks!

[EmoRarity]

Alright thanks!

Not a problem.

Don't spend if you don't have too.

[loony979]

was going to suggest:

 

Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series PCIe 7.1 Sound Card .

But the price is still over $270 on there site ...

on Ebay they are around $180-$200 dollar mark .here in Aus ...

Not sure about the price where you are.

 

I use it it's a great card Quality sound ,yet to have a hick up after nearly 5 yrs i think well since it came

out is when i grabbed it ... does just about every thing ,if you are planing External Audio this will deliver

i have mine on a receiver & it's great

 

Also last note If the Mother board can produce the 7.1 out then no need for the card Unless you have a need like i did no point

spending on 1 ,not unless you need lots amount of X-Ram ,music producing so forth ...

 

& or Optical in is what you also need ,depends on you're needs .

What are you're plans with Sound it self ?

If you are just hooking sound up to an amp with speakers then just use the integrated Audio

If it's even still a receiver - integrated Audio.

Check Mother Board specs to see if "integrated Audio" will do what you need ... hope this helps ...