Sound card, any recommendations?

I am tempted to get a new sound card and not just stick with the onboard one (with the ASUS ROG motherboard). Any suggestions as to what you think is good to get? In the past I've used Creative X-Fi and they've been quite impressive but these days I'm not sure if that's still the case. I'll be going to the Gadget Show Live at Birmingham NEC next April as VIP, but not sure if I'll see anything particularly useful regarding sound cards there, so what better place to ask than a forum full of gamers who appreciate excellent quality sound.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

P.S. Hooray! I've found a useful excuse to post on the forum .

 

Never even knew there was a such thing I don't know much about computers except more ram = better

 

Pretty sure sound cards aren't that important

 

Yup X-Fi, but also heard good stories about the Asus Xonar.

 

unless you have a 7.1 jack headset, there's no real point.

 

Oh, I know sound cards. Max price, and what is the primary use for it?

 

ASUS Xonar Essence STX Review 2014 - TopTenREVIEWS
Is a very good one, you can check other reviews on that website either

 

It has a very good sound quality (I know from experience, but it's of course personal preferences), but if he wants to use digital outputs this is not his card.

(Edit: It's been reported the digital output has a lot of flaws)

 

Used this one myself together with a Razer Tiamat 7.1. (analog)
The sound is fantastic.
The microphone is the worst thing there is, but that's a different matter.
Now I'm using some other Xonar DSX thingymajig. The other one broke, but this one is pretty good, too.

 

You are destroying the good sound from the card with that headset? Just no...

 

I see you have an opinion. It differs from mine. I think it's fantastic.

 

I don't have an opinion about your personal preference, no.

Edit: So, my attempt to not get this into something completely else, I will repeat what I first said and fill it with some more questions.

Budget? Primary use? Current OS? Digital or analog equipment?

 

Obviously not what I'm talking about. But okay. Continue.

 

I see. Looks like I'll be going for a Xonar then.

Budget: No real preference.
OS: Windows 7 (eventually Windows 10, after looking at the Technical Preview and being impressed so far)
Analogue or Digital: Analogue (headphones, might get speakers as well though)
Primary Use: Smooth jazz music and mostly first person shooter games such as Team Fortress 2

 

Then I would personally recommend Asus Xonar Essence STX II. The Burr Brown DAC's are really good. The only drawback is the buggy drivers, and this is somewhat quite common with Asus cards.