PCPro UK has the most comprehensive test of sound cards that I have seen in a PC magazine.
Sadly, the testers don't seem to know much about highe rez audio. Two examples:
Sound cards were rated for distortion and recommendations heavilly influenced by 1 kHz thd at 0dB, even though it is well known that testers should also back off by 1-3dB to avoid overload issues.
The Creative cards were praised even though they found that src resampling was active even for 44.1 playback - they said it didn't matter much!
The M audio 2496 was rated much lower than others for distortion and sound quality grounds- interesting though I have not used this card.
RME was not tested.
Sad
Sadly, the testers don't seem to know much about highe rez audio. Two examples:
Sound cards were rated for distortion and recommendations heavilly influenced by 1 kHz thd at 0dB, even though it is well known that testers should also back off by 1-3dB to avoid overload issues.
The Creative cards were praised even though they found that src resampling was active even for 44.1 playback - they said it didn't matter much!
The M audio 2496 was rated much lower than others for distortion and sound quality grounds- interesting though I have not used this card.
RME was not tested.
Sad