Picking a New Soundcard

Hey guys. I'm in the market for a new soundcard. Here is what I am needing:

- 5.1 output to my speakers. (Could be digital or analog as long as the following apply)
- Stereo output to my headphone amp. (At the same time as the speakers)
- An analog input for my Wii (3.5mm or RCA is great)

It seems like a simple set of requirements, but it really isn't. I can not stand plugging and unplugging my headphones every time I use them. So, I want the card to always output to headphones and to speakers. The Wii just needs to input for recording, but it also needs to be monitored over the speakers and the headphones. I figure these will all work fine if I do a digital output to my speakers, an analog output to my headphones, and an analog input for my Wii; just need a card that does all this well.

I did try the Razer AC-1, and it really just didn't cut it. Had endless problems with the drivers and such, and the inputs sucked. Just got sick of it.

Thanks for the help.

I don't know of any sound card that will do 5.1 output on one set of outputs and Stereo on the other. You might need to run two sound cards to do that or just run a splitter and lose the surround stuff.

Christobevii3 said:

I don't know of any sound card that will do 5.1 output on one set of outputs and Stereo on the other. You might need to run two sound cards to do that or just run a splitter and lose the surround stuff.

Click to expand...

Hmmm, but won't most of them do 5.1 over the digital-out and then stereo over the analog ports?

I don't think so. Most of the cards I've seen cut the analog when you use the digital, or vice-versa.

Well, is a dual-sound card setup possibly even worth looking into? If I had two, and got them working well together, maybe all would be well.

Sounds like it'd be a lot more complicated than it'd be worth, but maybe one for recording the input audio and another for all the output?