Hi, i am looking for a better sound card than the Auzentech Prelude with respect to purely Audiophile (the BEST sound quality for music). Price range: up to $300. Thanks.
ASUS XONAR HDAV 1.3 DELUXE this baby has it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!im a freak happy owner!!!!!!pownegeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
better than prelude?? did you try to swamp for better OPAMP Socket (Front L/R only) or a real professional m-audio soundcard http://store.m-audio.com/us/index.c...detail&PartNumber=9900-50755-00&categoryid=88
What do you want the card for? I'd say a Xonar D2/D2X, STX Essence, and HDAV1.3, alongside the Auzentech Forte are "better" cards, but each in a different way.
If you mean in pure audio quailty then Yes I would agree the HDAV as well as the STX,I used to have a auzentech prelude my self.Even the same op-amp I bought for the prelude when I had it sound better on the HDAV when I switched to it and put my OPA627AU in(even tho I wish I never paid that 60 dollars for the op-amp and knew I could get some free). Same for the stock op-amp that comes with the prelude. Other then the fact I can install 3x op-amps two in my I/V and 1 in my buffer to change my signature even better. Only pros for the prelude that it uses a X-FI chipset if you care enough for actual EAX3-5.But down side is it has one OP-amp socket the L/R thats it. So when you switching op-amps unless your using a Dual to single plug adaptor you will only beable to install one op-amp in. And that would have to be a dual one if your not using that adaptor. The forte is better because it has a headphone amp built on the card so you wouldn't need a standalone one. If you dont mind emulation of eax5 then Xonar, or picky about eax then either keep your prelude and use dual dip-8 to single dip-8 adaptors and use two op-amps. Like maybe Two OPA2277's or some OPA827Aids etc.
The Prelude is undoubtedly a great card, but somehow... even after an expensive opamp upgrade, it didn't quite do it for me sound wise. Definitely prefer the Xonar D2X myself, and I expect the Essence would sound even better. The D2X sounds much more 'forward' than the Prelude. You feel a bit closer to your music. But a lot of it's down to personal taste.
