best. soundcard. ever. Noobs with logitech 5.1/7.1 or any computer speakers need not apply.

Best sounds card ever? lol, you've been under that rock a long time have you?

Great sound card! More for top quality music then games but can do both.

#2 do you have a candidate for best sound card or just rock comments?

#1: at $145.... there will be still quite many n00bs left!

#3 Best would be a personal preference, I like the fact that my sound and video are in 1 cable thru hdmi. So for me thats the 'Best' solution for sound.

I own the HT Omega Striker which is a step down from this card. It replaced my Audigy 2 ZS. The sound quality difference was something that I didn't think was possible. Unbelievable card. I can only imagine this one is even better.

okay #2, whatcha sound card you got? speakers?

#5 that's great if you are outputting from a HTPC to a receiver. If that's the case the sound card does no work. But if you're going directly to speakers this card may very well be the best. I just wouldn't waste it on logitech computer speakers. But with something like Audio Engine A5 or Swan M200 speakers and a small subwoofer it would rock.

I can't see paying over $40 for a PCI sound card today.

Not sure why this deal is considered "expired", but I just ordered one and the $30-off code is still valid (as of 7/24/10 @ 18:39 PST).

#1, If you mean "best" as in "best bang for your buck in an audiophile grade card", then yes. Otherwise, there are clearly some better cards out there (even from the same company).