What are some of the best PCI sound cards? (new or used)

[Centauri]

I'm running a Micro-ATX case with a two-slot GPU that's eating my PCIe x1 slot, which leaves a PCI slot as my only clearly available port. And I'd like a sound card, but I'm noticing that they seem to have mostly all moved to PCIe, which begs the question...

What's an excellent PCI sound card I can pick up? I have no problem buying a used one. The only criteria beyond fitting a PCI slot is that I'd like it to have a headphone amplifier.

Thanks guys.

 

[goa604]

I'm running a Micro-ATX case with a two-slot GPU that's eating my PCIe x1 slot, which leaves a PCI slot as my only clearly available port. And I'd like a sound card, but I'm noticing that they seem to have mostly all moved to PCIe, which begs the question...

What's an excellent PCI sound card I can pick up? I have no problem buying a used one. The only criteria beyond fitting a PCI slot is that I'd like it to have a headphone amplifier.

Thanks guys.

Sorry for being a bit off topic but is there a reason you wouldnt like to use a USB DAC? Sound cards dont usually have comparable sound quality even with reasonably priced USB DAC/AMPS.

 

[nycxandy]

Asus Xonar Essence ST

 

[Cerb]

And I'd like a sound card, but I'm noticing that they seem to have mostly all moved to PCIe, which begs the question...

They've mostly moved to USB, for those still using them, not PCIe. The higher-end internal Xonars exist mainly based on, "people will still pay us to put some old circuitry in a can on an internal card, so why stop doing it?"

For value, a Fiio E10K, or Schiit Fulla should be good (a Fulla 2 is supposed to come out in not too long, as well). Or, for a bit higher up, an ODAC+O2.

The idle results (nothing but a music player, RMAA, or ARTA running, FI) of onboard and internal sound cards can be deceptive (I can hear browser scrolling in my work PC, FI, which is not going to show up in typical review site test results), and even those are often averaged over runs, and thus missing anomalies that you might hear. If I were to run such a test, I would start with a good external measurement tool, and run programs that exercise CPU and GPU at varied power states, and only take the worst results. It would not be quick to perform, nor cheap to set up, for a good objective test, which is probably why hardware review sites haven't gone and done it.

 

[goa604]

Cerb, we basically think the same when it comes to pc audio but who knows maybe he needs those imputs some soundcards have.
I wanted to recommend him USB DAC/AMP as well.

 

[Zorander]

I used to rock an Audiotrak Prodigy that has a built-in Headamp. It sounds pretty good, if a little hissy with the Headamp activated, but comes nowhere close quality-wise to the USB DAC/Headamps I use.

I'm currently using the JDS Labs C5D Headphone Amp+DAC with my work laptop. Very clean-sounding and simply a joy to listen to everyday.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

In a concurrent thread on "hoarding," I'm not sure if I mentioned my own dilemma.

I have a perfectly pristine Creative Labs Audigy 2 ZS PCI card. I've got the Win 7 drivers for it.

And I figure -- in regard to the hoarding issue -- one aspect of a strategy to deal with the piles of cyber-junk would be deploying anything still of any use to whatever operational PC could accommodate it.

I just . . . can't . . . . make up my mind . . . .

 

[Zorander]

I don't think the A2 ZS has any built-in headphone amp... Not many do, outside those Asus and Audiotrak soundcards AFAIK.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I don't think the A2 ZS has any built-in headphone amp... Not many do, outside those Asus and Audiotrak soundcards AFAIK.

Mmm . . . looking at OP's post, you're right -- might not be a very useful "recommendation." Still -- some folks think it's "still a great sound card."

 

[looper]

Asus Xonar Essence ST

I have had my (internal) Xonar Essence ST for @ 3 yrs or so. I had frequent problems with it just going away/DM not 'seeing' it...

I tried many different drivers. I pulled it out of MB, then back in, etc. It reached a point where I un-installed it 6 months ago and am using onboard sound, unfortunately.

Anyone, ideas?

Knowing what I now know, I would not have purchased it. (expensive)

 

[biostud]

Also using an USB DAC here.