I play most of my music through my pc to an hifi seperates amp, to 5 speakers and a sub. At the moment im using an onboard sound thinggy, but a mate said i wouldnt believe how much better the sound could be from a dedicated soundcard..

Is he correct, if so which one should i be looking at ?

Id like one with optical out (if they exist) as this give best quality doesnt it ?

Thanks in advance

These are superb:- M Audio 2496

HTH Roy.

I'll second that recommendation. I have been using that card for a couple of years. It's superb. It's only 2 channels though.

The theory about standard sound cards sounding poor is quite correct...although I'm not sure it applies so much these days.

But going back a few years many sound cards were still using 741 based op-amps for their line-outs and line-in. To anyone who knows electronics, that is pretty bad for Hi-Fi sound quality

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...oundcards.html

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro - Retail (SC-031-CL)
Creative's Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro delivers Xtreme Fidelity audio creation and entertainment to the PC. Its premium quality 116dB SNR DACs deliver unsurpassed audio quality, while the external I/O module includes guitar, microphone and headphone jacks with independent volume controls. Other features include a phono preamp for direct recording from vinyl, with audio clean-up, MIDI I/O, and optical and coaxial digital I/O. Front panel controls give direct access to EAX effects, 24-bit Crystalizer to restore 'sparkle' to recordings, and CMSS-3D for stunning headphone surround and up-mix. Audio Creation Mode features bit-accurate ASIO at multiple sample rates with latency as low as 1ms. With 24-bit Effects, 24-bit SoundFont sampling and 3D MIDI, this is the ultimate in audio quality, connectivity and control for the PC.

- Comprehensive and convenient analogue and digital connectivity with remote control.
- Low latency ASIO, 24-bit effects, 24-bit Sound Font support and 3D MIDI.
- CMSS-3D for incredible surround sound over stereo headphones, plus stereo-to-surround up-mix for headphones and multi-channel speakers.
- 24-bit Crystalizer makes all audio sound better, including MP3/WMA, streaming audio and video, DivX and DVD movies.
- Active Modal Architecture with 'Entertainment', 'Gaming' and 'Audio Creation' modes dedicates the processor 100% to the task at hand, with an easy-to-use interface for each mode.
- Perfect partner for high-end Creative speakers and peripherals.

Toms Hardware is a good site to visit when it comes to anything PC

http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/08/18/creative_x/

A lot of new motherboards now have a newer onboard sound card, with dolby , 5:1 surround etc
other than that this :
https://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/....html?CRE-XFIF
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=96738

this looks quite a nice one, with remote control
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=74928

one of the creative lab links

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=96738

says its 24 times more powerful than the soundblaster auoligy. has anyone got either of these cards ?