Chaintech AV-710 Sound Card

Pros: Cheap, great digital sound over Toslink.
Cons: Useless manual. Sometime there is no sound on RCA cable (might be my fault...)

I decided to replace my old Creative Live because of the lack of support for 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. I can't describe myself as a master in Digital video but I like to play around with my camcorder and author my own DVD's but enough about myself. ...

Pros: Cheap,sounds great, easy installation
Cons: no coaxial spdif

This is a great product at a very low cost. The only thing I wish the card had was a coaxial spdif, but keep in mind its only $22. Also, I replaced my Audigy 2 card with this one and I am just as happy. As far as the last review with the sound being 2 seconds off.........Anyone with computer experience should know that he needs to fix his audio codecs. That is definitely not an issue related to the card

Pros: I am sure the manufacturer meant well.
Cons: I seem to be stuck with in uncorrectable problem.

I upgraded to WIN XP and had to change my sound card. After installing the Envy24 I have not been able to get the 'vertical note indicator' in the staff view to sync with what is actually playing. The actual sound is at least four notes ahead of the indicator. As a matter of fact, when I select a note it takes about two seconds before you hear the sound. I have also found it, so far, impossible to communicate with the manufacturer.

Pros: 90% sound of a top equipment, at less than 1% of the cost.
Cons: The high is a little harsh. Needs to boot PC before playing music.

I have been looking for a good CD player for some time and was not willing to spend $500 or more for a decent one like a Cambridge Audio 640C or a Sherwood Newcastle. After reading some good reviews about sound cards, I was going to try a M-audio 96/24, but found this VIA ENVY 24PT with Wolfson 8929 D/A at a fraction of the price. I installed it in my old computer without any problem. The result was no less than phenomenal. Playing classical music through a no name brand CDROM, the Chaintech sound card, a tube preamp, a pure class A 20 watts per channel power amp and a a pair of decent floor standing three way speakers, the sound is crystal clear. I can hear every individual instrument. The details from a Beethoven's concerto were almost overwhelming. The music sounds lively and the stage is deep and impressive. I am very happy with the result and will stop improving my audio equipment and start to enjoy more listening to music.