Amazing how cheap these are. Is Creative finding their sales lower than expected or are they dumping product to prepare for a new release? Or perhaps it's due to the widespread Creative software problem runs a DLLML process at startup & causes major system slowdowns? In typical Creative fashion they've apparently refused to acknowledge or fix the problem with any software updates,so users who experience this issue must dig through forums to find the solution then go into the registry to fix it. Anyone who has one of these care to comment? That said, I've heard this is the second best X-Fi after the Platinum. If that is true, this is an excellent buy from what I can tell,as long as you don't mind dealing w/potential software issues.

second best? they are identical cards except for the accessories included in the box. they just released this a bit ago, I doubt they will have something else for another year or two.

Best all-around sound card and $51 is lowest price I've seen.