Computer Audio Asylum

DAC / external soundcard under 100$

89.138.75.33

As the header says, I'm looking for an external soundcard / DAC in under 100$. I intend on buying a pair of Sennheiser HD280 Pro headphones, and need a new soundcard to match. I intend on using it with a desktop as well as with a laptop, thus preferring it to connect via USB. My current list (of buying options as well as reference models) is as follows:

Lexicon Alpha
Behringer UCA-202 / FCA-202
M-Audio Transit
Echo Indigo IO
Creative Xmod / XiFi / Audigy 2 ZS / NX
Turtle Beach Audio Advantage SRM / Amigo
ESI Maya44 / Gigaport AG
Audiotrack Maya EX5 ce
Roland UA-1EX
Apogee Duet
Phonic Digitrack
Zalman ZM-RSSC
Asus Xonar U1
Hercules Muse Pocket
Terratec Aureon 5.1

Sound quality, price and connection (USB) are of prime importance, but some DSP capabilites or EAX compatibility can also be nice. The Transit is currently the prime candidate.

Your advice, opinions and experience are required!

Follow Ups:

just bought my son - stan2 13:53:03 05/02/08 (0)
RE: DAC / external soundcard under 100$ - Presto 14:41:09 05/01/08 (5)
- RE: DAC / external soundcard under 100$ - Docom 04:17:21 05/02/08 (4)
  - RE: DAC / external soundcard under 100$ - Presto 12:57:01 05/02/08 (3)
    - RE: DAC / external soundcard under 100$ - Docom 05:10:22 05/04/08 (2)
      - RE: DAC / external soundcard under 100$ - Tony Lauck 08:32:33 05/04/08 (1)
        
        Thanks to all of the repliers! - Docom 05:52:15 05/05/08 (0)
RE: DAC / external soundcard under 100$ - TopPop 11:31:02 05/01/08 (7)
- attn: Dynaudio_Rules - TopPop 14:27:08 05/01/08 (5)
  - RE: attn: Dynaudio_Rules - Dynaudio_Rules 14:49:45 05/01/08 (4)
    - RE: attn: Dynaudio_Rules - TopPop 15:00:51 05/01/08 (3)
      - RE: attn: Dynaudio_Rules - Dynaudio_Rules 15:12:07 05/01/08 (2)
        
        RE: attn: Dynaudio_Rules - TopPop 15:23:54 05/01/08 (1)
        
        RE: attn: Dynaudio_Rules - Dynaudio_Rules 15:41:00 05/01/08 (0)
- Dynadio Rules... where'd ya go?? :-p (nt) - TopPop 13:43:55 05/01/08 (0)

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