need best sound card for audiophile?

[mikesphat]

he makes his own music.also need info on software for digital recording..............protool? reason or cubase

 

[biostud]

pricerange?

Depends on if he need a professionel card or just a consumer card.

 

[mikesphat]

around 500 bucks

 

[Pr0d1gy]

X-Fi when it comes out?

 

[Googer]

I would not recomend a sound card, but a new motherboard. An Aopen motherboard with a Vacuume tube for audio, connect it to an M-audio soundcard with the output being feed through the tube (the board allows a discreete sound card or the onboard sound to take advantage of the tube).

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/ax4b533tube/default.asp

http://www.maudio.co.uk/products/en_gb/Delta1010LT-main.html

 

[Googer]

it's noteworthy that AOpen has sourced components from well-respected audio parts suppliers. Apart from the Sovtek vacuum tube, AOpen utilized parts from Kimber Kable, Cardas, REL Multicap, and WIMA.

http://www.lostcircuits.com/video/sound_compare1/

 

[ChicagoPCGuy]

Have you considered the BlueGears HDA DigitalX Mystique 7.1? You can get it on NewEgg for $99, and Dolby Digital Live! realtime encoding.