ASUS Xonar DX sound card

Pros: MP3's play at CD quality or better. FLAC files are superior to any disc format I have used. Set up very straight forward. No problems with physical installation or feature programing. Power cable not a problem. Didn't even need the included adapter

Cons: On initial setup received a hum (feedback?) from front speaker when no devices were active or on--ie. when just using computer. Today, no hum or other feedback under any conditions.

Summary: My Home Theater setup is: Onkyo 705 receiver, Sony BDP-370S blu-ray, Oppo universal CD player, HSU subwoofer, JMlab (now Focal) Chorus 715 front/center, with Wharfdale surrounds. Computer is a standard HP Asus operated with massive hard drives. Television is a 58" Hitachi rear projection 1080i with HDMI in. With this set up I felt performance on music files and hard media was very good, but something was lacking. The Asus DX was the missing element. It has elevated the sound to a level where even recordings I have listened to for over 40 years on vinyl and CD sound better than ever! Detail, base management, seemless frequency transitions from driver to driver, with sub perfectly integrated. Personally, I would not spend more than the $89.99 retail (less a $20 mail in rebate) for a sound card. My son and I are awestruck as we listen to file after file. Pure joy period.