Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card

Pros: Great audio quality and solid performance. Though it took Creative a long time between driver releases, the last set of XP drivers (dated October 2006) have been working flawlessly for me. Lots of options and tons of possible connections! Some people complain about the mode switching but I like it. I have one set of options set how I like them for gaming and another for movies and music. I do like the idea that usage is optimized based on how I intend to use it in a given session.

Cons: Some older surround sound speaker systems don't work with the X-Fi cards. I didn't have this problem myself, but a friend has a X-Fi Fatal1ty and couldn't use his Creative Inspire 5700 system in 5.1 with it. Creatives support is awful! (i am a pc tech. so i don't often need help from them, thank heavens...) From what I hear, Vista support is also severely lacking. But I don't use Vista for anything more than to tinker with. (IMO Vista stinks) So, that doesn't bother me. Also this cards a bit pricey.

Other Thoughts: I loved this card so much I bought two. I have one in my gaming PC (XP x64) and the other in my general purpose PC (XP Pro), which I use for a little of everything, such as listening to music, streaming talk radio, some gaming, hooking my guitar into and movies. If you want the best, this is it.

Pros: I had been searching for sometime for something to replace an Analog Mixer I was using to feed the soundcard in my PC for converting LP's, Cassette and Reel to Reel recordings to CD. The X-Fi Elite fit my needs perfectly. Instead of using valuble desk space I could move the PC next to my Audio Stand. The software is pretty good and user friendly. Nice to have a remote control.

Cons: The remote control is not backlit. It also does not control ITunes if you use it as your media player.

Pros: Great sound fidelity. More audio ports than I'll ever use, most of them in an impressive imposing console that has nifty LEDs and button knobs. Tons of included software. A remote.

Also, when you switch audio modes, the card clicks, which is neat. The Game and Entertainment modes seem amazingly similar, though.

Cons: The remote feels awkward and how many remotes does a guy really need, anyway. The remote is just a bonus though, so it doesn't much matter.

Other Thoughts: I went from a Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum to this, and the improved sound quality is obvious on my Sennheiser HD600 headphones. All audio is noticeably finer and clearer, and there is less general background hiss.

The X-Fi drivers also dispense with a few Audigy annoyances, like rebooting sticking the card in some weird 'low volume' mode. And the 'Audio Console'-type program is much hipper looking.

Pros: I am very pleased and feel this is another good quality product from creative. Love playing the guitar through computer and having all effects

Cons: My kids, they snagged it and I had to run to my local retail outlet to pick up x-fi xgamer

Other Thoughts: Good Price Good Service thanx egg

Pros: Great sound for playing games. Some cool accessories come with it. You can plug quite a few things into the little sound board that comes with it.

Cons: Apparently Creative doesn't give a $#!@ about its customers who are running Windows Vista. There is very little support for Vista.

Other Thoughts: The sound board thing is huge. It is almost as long as a keyboard and about 2 1/2 inches high. Expect it to take up a lot of desk space. If you just want something to play games, then try another card that has better Vista support. All the little things that come with this card aren't necessary if you just want to play games and watch movies.

Pros: Now that the price after rebate dropped below $200, this card was no longer out of my price range. It is an amazing technical achievement; and, besides that, everything I play through it sounds completely alive, as good as or better than it sounds through far more expensive analog gear.

Cons: None for me, but I am running XP Pro on a P4 2.8 and have analog Klipsch 5.1 Ultra (whatever they are called) speakers. Apparantely those runnning Vista have had problems with compatibility and the required upgrades, etc., so beware of that. For me it's been a breeze; my system is about three years old.

Other Thoughts: This sound card has the potential to change your life. Really. If you have only heard recorded music played back through not-so special equipment from digitally compressed sources (CD's, mp3's, etc.) here is an opportunity to experience real and true audio fidelity in your own home for an unprecedentedly low price. You may not understand the technology (I know that I don't understand it!) but our ears reap all the benefits nonetheless. If you love music and use your computer as your "media center" so-to-speak, treat yourself and buy this sound card and a set of 5.1 speakers if you don't have them already -- your money can hardly be spent more wisely.

Pros: Amazing sound quality. Improvement over the Audigy 2 with SRS media sandbox by over 10 fold. More inputs than I can think of ever using, and I'm finally able to use the surround sound from my satellite receiver.

Cons: takes some time to get the settings where I wanted them. Entertainment mode is basically worthless (sound is too quiet while in this setting). The remote doesn't control Windows Media Player, and it only seems to be able to control the volume and effect settings. My media center remote that came with my Dell TV tuner is more functional than this one and I am using Windows xp pro.

Other Thoughts: Sounds great with my Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1. I have seen a major improvement in sound quality while in games. Some people might find the size of the control panel a little large, but I think the size just makes it look cooler. If you have the money to spend on this system, then get it. Now I shake the entire house instead of just half!

Pros: Very well constructed, unlimited uses with audio devices

Cons: Be very careful about the 32/64 bit Vista drivers as they won't decode DTS sound etc. Check the manufacturers site for complete driver information and you will be amazed at what it DOES NOT SUPPORT for this kind of Money.

Other Thoughts: I can't understand why the company is dragging their feet with Vista knowing that support for XP will be non existent probably by the end of the year, so the Vista drivers important for us who have made the change already. Sorry, they lost a sale on this one.

Pros: Great card, does all what it boasts, and then some. It comes bundled with some pretty excellent software as well. The fact that you can hook a guitar, a keyboard and and two midi controllers up to it all at once, for the price, it cant be beat, especially since its probably the best recording studio you can put on the desk in your bedroom.

Cons: The card didnt fit too well and took alot of finagling to get it to sit right, but that was probably just mine. I dont know if anyone else has exprienced this either, but I have a pretty beastual PC and the installion software took like a year to install... That was kind of a drag. Otherwise all good things so far.

Other Thoughts: Spring for the Elite. Impress your friends.

Pros: Clarity, performance, options.

Cons: So far none, but they all have some in the end.

Other Thoughts: This was a great purchase. I needed to hook my guitar up to my PC so I could get some recording done, and this gear fits the bill perfectly.
This along with the bundled Cubase software run fantastically together. I would highly recommend this product.