New sound card, which one?

[Hanamichi]

I know this has been posted countless times before but I dont want to go digging on all the old posts to sum up something and even then may not answer my questions, so here goes:

After 2 years of service, my Sound Blaster Live Value 256 is starting to mess around with me(loose audio-out jack). So I thought it should go into my for sale list and I should get a better one. Now my question is, should I go for the SBLive Digital Entertainment 5.1($31) SE or the SB AUDiGY DE ($63)? What are the differences? I will be using it for mp3, videos, games and more, and Im quite picky when it comes to sound. I currently am quite satisfied with the SBLiveValue256, though (probably because I havent heard sound from a better sound card).

Thanks for listenning me out.

[Ali]

The main difference between the live and audigy is that audigy makes use of a new chip, live has emu10k1, whereas audigy has emu10k2, I think if I can remember precisely. Well the difference of MP3 sound is not there, however new games make use of EAX audio, combined with a good 5 speaker digital audio speaker system,( or analogue) you will get awesome sound in games. Also if u are a musician, then U can make good use of the audigy card. But in ur case I'll go for that SBlive 5.1 card, its also very good, and features a very powerful EAX Environment support.

Ali

[Hanamichi]

I guess I'll go with your advice. Thanks.