Which sound card under £100 ? External or PCI ?

[Dr. Delban]

Hi,

I mostly listen to the music from my PC (Youtube, Winamp, Foobar) and it looks like my 8 year old sound card has died? Still not diagnosed.

I am a budget audiophile. I have a pair of MA BX-2 and Opera 1.5 speakers, hooked up to a Yamaha A-S501.

Do external cards make much difference? I don't usually do gaming. Once every few years i go on a few months gaming binge and then I stop gaming completely.

If I get a USB sound card will it still work ok for gaming? As of the special effects etc. (silly question really) ?

Is there a significant difference in sound between a PCI card and external USB?

All my life I've been using Creative Sound Blaster sound cards.

Thanks

 

[rainsoothe]

Hi. Just get a Behringer UCA202 audio interface. If you don't need surround, it's ok (imo). But, if I remember correctly, the AS501 has digital inputs as well. So you could just get a USB to SPDIF converter cable, and plug it into the COAX input of the Yamaha. Problem solved

 

[cheeseboy]

the asus xonar range is excellent and have they have something for most price points

 

[Dr. Delban]

No I don't require surround sound.

 

[brownz]

No I don't require surround sound.

Have you considered the Box-Designs USB Box S http://www.henleydesigns.co.uk/USB-Box-p524

Or if you want a bit of source upgradabilty in the future a DAC Box S http://www.henleydesigns.co.uk/DAC-Box-S-USB-p758