M-Audio Delta Audiophile 2496 Sound Card

Pros: Outstanding sound quality and specs, 24/96 recording and playback, solid drivers.
Cons: No mic preamp, built-in MIDI synth or surround sound features -- not for gamers.

I purchased my M-Audio Audiophile from Newegg recently, as I was looking for a good 2-channel stereo ...

Pros: Price Sound Quality Ease of Use / Installation
Cons: Gaming (thats what the Sound Blaster is for!)

I have a stereo system hooked up to my computer that consists of a Denon receiver, Onkyo Amp and some Def tech 350 bookshelf speakers and SuperCube II subwoofer. I used to use a Sound Blaster Live! Value 5.1 with a mini-jack -> RCA adapter for sound.. the sound quality was terrible! hissing popping noises galour!.

I came across this sound card at newegg for only $109. Installation of this sound card is really a no-brainer, and when i first plugged it in, i immediately noticed how good the S/N ratio is! - could be better than my Denon! The sound quality is second to none, crystal clean audio using Liberty Z-300 RCA Interconnects. I highly recommend this card for a home stereo audiophile wishing to utilize quality home speakers with a computer. As for the Midi, and super high sampling rate (96KHz), i probably wont ever utilize with the mp3's im using it for.. none the less it still sounds amazing.

Pros: Everything, from drivers, sound quality. easy use, PRICE.
Cons: Almost nothing, except ....no break out box, less number of I/O

Audiophile 2496 is an affordable and very reliable card. If you are into music and looking for a way to start computer recording which "everyone is talking about..." Go get an audiophile 2496 first. The sound quality blows sb live and audigy away. Non musicians, you may wonder what am I gonna do with just two RCA inputs and outputs, where are the mic input, headphone socket.....etc. Remember this is not a cheap everyday soundcard, this is a semi professional audio interface specially designed for recording music and midi (Yes it is a midi interface too) Even it has a digital SPDIF in/out. So for regular listeners and gamers, better get an Audigy.
The drivers are rock solid, no problems at all and has no conflicts with Creative drivers, Yes, you can use both 2496 and your existing soundblaster card in the same computer. Goes upto 24bit 96 Khz and the control panel is very ease of use.
IF you have a computer at home and if you have a keyboard or, guitar, you can turn your computer into a real good home studio with just this one card. Trust me! they are awesome.
- Jeyan J