Trashing My X-Fi, What to Get Now?

[Flashstar]

I bought my x-fi sound card a year and a half ago because I read all of the reviews and they said that the x-fi was above and beyond other sound cards in terms of quality. Now, since I want to go the free route :lolflag: I'm going to need to spend a ton of money to get there. For this post, I'm wondering what sound card would be an able replacement which will match or exceed the X-Fi in terms of quality. I'm looking to spend around $70-$90.

Will the Sondigo Inferno work? (I have heard that the latest ALSA build supports the cip somewhat)

What are your suggestions?

Thanks! :guitar:

[PCFascist]

I am looking for the same answer. More or less I'd just like to see something that does 5.1/7.1 and has the optical input/output. But it would also be nice to have something in the front to plug and unplug mixing equipment to. So I guess I'd like something with good recording quality.

[PCFascist]

I am looking for the same answer. More or less I'd just like to see something that does 5.1/7.1 and has the optical input/output. But it would also be nice to have something in the front to plug and unplug mixing equipment to. So I guess I'd like something with good recording quality.