Hi everyone,

I have finally obtained all of my parts with the exception of a new sound card.

The cards I have been looking at are the following (please know that I am not stuck to any card at this point):

- Sound Blaster Live 24-Bit 7.1
- Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
- Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value
- Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic 7.1

I was planning on using the Creative Home Theater Cable or the Creative Digital I/O adapter. The card will be connecting to an Onkyo 7.1 Receiver which will accept the Coax or Optical audio cable. I read that these were the two choices I should use. Any pros or cons for them?

Budget is important also - I am looking for the best bang for the buck, yet get something that sounds good as well.

I would appreciate any advice, war-stories or ideas.

Thank you very much,

Mike