Advice on choice of PCI or USB audio card for quality music listening
 

Hi!

I have finally decided to invest in a more expensive high-fidelity speaker system. In connection with this change I am looking for a replacement for my internal sound card (Intel HDA/Azalia 82801I).

Basically I am looking for two obvious features:

• excellent sound quality
• full compatibility with Linux

So far I have established that VIA chipsets (at least for USB soundcards) are preferred while SoundBlasters are to be avoided.

Does anyone have any specific suggestions as to which cards might fit my needs? All suggestions are most welcome - be it a USB or PCI card.


Thanks in advance!

As far as i know M-audio cards are fully supported, if i had the money i'd have an M-Audio Audiophile. At the moment I have a Creative Audigy 2 which works fine, though not absolutely perfect - MIDI is hard to get working. Firewire on the card works too. C-media cards work well but aren't as good as the Audiophile. Cards with hardware mixing are best.

Thank you for your suggestions :)

I have taken a look at the Audiophile soundcards. They cost $100 (if you're lucky) and up. I guess I could perhaps stretch my budget to that mark, but the most pertinent question if I do is: Would I hear the difference? I do not consider myself audiophile (although I do appreciate good sound) and I am not planning on making music, just listening to it.

Or, if we are talking about for example Creative Audigy - would that be a step up from my integrated card? Because I can see that they go for under 10 bucks on eBay. As do C-media cards.

Are you familiar with their external USB Audio Interfaces? I'm looking to record anolog media to my PC.