Sound card needed Recommendations please Budget limit

[Moondog55]

I need a better soundcard with 5.1 or better outputs if I am going to use a computer based digital crossover for my subwoofer.
The motherboard only has stereo outputs
All I can find easily locally/via internet are the Creative Sound Blaster.
At around a budget of $150- to $250- am I going to do any better?
I'm probably not going to be doing much if any measuring etc using external microphones and only the Dayton DATS for driver interrogation
PCI-E motherboard and not a top of the line computer but OK

 

[von Ah]

ESI GigaportEX may be an option. Also if your mobo has HDMI out, an HDMI LPCM audio extractor may work. Those are both external, not PCI-E, sorry.
Unfortunately the budget options are seemingly limited and of questionable sound quality.

BIG step up to Motu Ultra-Lite mk5, MiniDSP Flex Eight, and Topping DM7.

 

[Moondog55]

Way above my budget and way above my needs.
I just need some better playback options for the computer.
Nice gear but I'm stuck in the 70s and my main music system is vinyl oriented.
I have USB 3 so I could go external if I have to. but my desk is usually a mess and internal is less likely to get knocked/bumped/dropped by my wifes rampant cat

 

[von Ah]

If you need more than 4 channels and PCI-E, then I think soundblaster is the one reasonable option.

If 4 channels would work, I'd recommend the MiniDSP 2x4HD.

 

[matulo_g]

ASUS XONAR line soundcards is another option.

Martin

 

[still clueless]

I'm using a Asus Xonar D2X 7.1 with 4x BB PCM1796 DAC. It's a really fine card, which is used about 25 - 35$/€.

review @ Guru3D

 

[dangus]

If your computer has regular PCI slots, you may find an old but good sound card at a computer recycler for cheap.

 

[b_force]

My vote is also the Asus Xonar, they often show up and 2nd hands websites.

Compatibility with Win10/11 is a bit of an extra step, but not impossible.
@still clueless , what drivers are you using exactly?

 

[CharlieLaub]

A USB soundcard will likely be superior to an internal one in terms of noise (e.g. lower noise). Have you considered the Behringer UMC1820? Costs about US$240.

 

[still clueless]

My vote is also the Asus Xonar, they often show up and 2nd hands websites.

Compatibility with Win10/11 is a bit of an extra step, but not impossible.
@still clueless , what drivers are you using exactly?

As I'm still using W7, and had some troubles with the latest driver 1794, I'm using the 7_12_8_1793_W7.

 

[Moondog55]

I've just bought the cheap Audigy Rx, simply because it was cheap and available right away.
But I can't get my little passive subwoofer to work and for some reason I can't get the SoundBlaster control panel to install so I can see what's happening.
Bought a new mini cable with the three layer pin and everything/
I would have bought the Asus if one was there for sale
I think I need a 13YO to assist me

 

[Moondog55]

A USB soundcard will likely be superior to an internal one in terms of noise (e.g. lower noise). Have you considered the Behringer UMC1820? Costs about US$240.

Well outside my current budget unfortunately, $420- local dollars; perhaps Santa will have his arm twisted

 

[hollowera]

Can you use 3 of the $8 usb soundcards?
Also:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BF3SY7C/ is about $15 and is 6 channel. I'm considering getting one to test.