Which Sound Card To Get?

[MetalX]

I rarely game with the occasional America's Army and lately Oblivion. I mostly use this rig for music and watching DVDs. I'm using Logitec Z-80(I think...) 2.1 speakers. I won't be doing much recording, maybe in the future. My onboard sound is goofy so it'll be replacing a $10 card with a shitty C-Media IC.


M-Audio Revolution 5.1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829121122

M-Audio Audiophile 2496
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829121120

M-Audio Revolution 7.1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829121123

Also what's the benefit of breakout cabling?

 

[Cyrilix]

I have the Revo 5.1. In terms of specs, it seems a bit similar to the Audiophile 192 (same opamp, same DAC), and the AP192 is supposed to be a step up from the AP2496 (from hearsay).

 

[MetalX]

I'm also considering a XFi Xtreme Music but god I hate Creative cards, I haven't owned one in many years. Do they still bloat your desktop with software? I'm leaning towards the Creative because the Envy24 chip in the Revolution 5.1 doesn't impress me feature wise, but I'm no expert.

 

[liquorman]

personally I would go for the TurtleBeach Montego= DDL rocks!
But from your description you only have 2.1 speakers anyway

 

[discochan]

I think the creative cards are great. If you dont want the xtrememusic consider the emu 0404

 

[boredguyatcomp]

creative XFi-extreme music!