Need a recommendation for a sound card

[firemanc6]

I am just about finished my build - thanks to all who have helped me narrow my component choices. Here is what I have so far:

Cooler Master HAF 922M Case
Intel i7 2600K Processor
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo Cooling Unit
ASUS P8Z68-V/Gen3 Motherboard
XFX P1850BNL G9 Pro Series Powere Supply - 850 Watt
Corsair Vengance DDR3 1600mHz RAM - 16 GB
Samsung 830 256GB SSD
Seagate Barracuda 1 TB 7200RPM, 64mb Cache
Radeon HD 7950 Graphics Card
Windows 7 Ultimate
Lite-On Blue Ray Reader & DVD/CD Writer (2 drives)
Media Card Reader

I will be using this computer for games, HD Movies and recording/editing live music (Studio Live Software & a Presonus 24 Channel Digital Mixer). I need a sound card that will give me the best possible playback through high end speakers and headphones.

I appreciate all comments.

Bob Darcey

 

[gamerk316]

Define "high end": Are we talking high end RCA speakers, desktop speakers, or full mulitchannel surround? As for headphones, are you using high impedance ones?

At the mid-range, the ASUS Xonar DX is basically king. Moving up a bit, things get very competitive very fast, with the following all viable choices:

ASUS:
ASUS Xonar D2(X)
ASUS Xonar Xense
ASUS Essence ST(X)

HT Omega:
HT Omega Claro+
HT Omega Claro Halo
HT Omega Claro Halo XT

Auzentech:
Auzentech Bravura
Auzentech Meridian 2G
Auzentech Home Theatre HD