Recommend Laptop soundcard

Hi,
Recently my laptop soundcard started crackling. So I need to get a new one. I have lots of flac, ape, and wav files. I have a NAD 3020i, Tannoy M3's and a Wharfedale Topaz-12. So I'd like something that would do justice to these components.

So can anyone recommend a PCMCIA sound card on a budget of $150? I might go above the budget if there is a model that comes highly regarded.

do you have a digital out?
if so you could get a dac (or an USB dac, which would be a huge upgrade over every possible soundcard for any pc...

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Originally Posted by 0239666

Hi,
Recently my laptop soundcard started crackling. So I need to get a new one. I have lots of flac, ape, and wav files. I have a NAD 3020i, Tannoy M3's and a Wharfedale Topaz-12. So I'd like something that would do justice to these components.

So can anyone recommend a PCMCIA sound card on a budget of $150? I might go above the budget if there is a model that comes highly regarded.

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A strong option, at least for home use, is a USB-connected external sound card. I use an M-Audio Audiophile USB to good effect.
...

I reckon I will get this. Is this the same model?
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...eUSB-main.html

http://www.bswusa.com/proditem.asp?item=UA1EX

This is good too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 0239666

I reckon I will get this. Is this the same model?
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...eUSB-main.html

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No, that's not the one. The problem with that one is that it doesn't have any digital outputs, which you might someday want if you decided on an external DAC. Also, the analog outputs are 1/4" which is less convenient than RCA.

I haven't found the Audiophile USB link yet -- hopefully it hasn't be discontinued.