Welcome to the forum. I would be surprised if your older SB card would install now, at least in Windows 8.1. There are certainly some great choices now for external sound cards. I happen to be using the Focusrite Scarlett units (two computers; one has a 18i8 and the other has a 6i6). They do the job well and sound great. Check the software that comes with different brands; you may make your decision more by that than by the hardware. Also make sure the unit has ASIO drivers.

Playback of audio is not all that critical; any sound card will do, even the relatively awful Realtec unit in a laptop. The main questions start when you want to record audio. What will you be doing? How many inputs?

As you know, in 2000 BIAB was all MIDI and you needed a software or hardware synth. Now, with RealTracks (which are audio), this is less critical. The newest versions of BIAB come with some VSTi software instruments. Tell us more about what's important to you, and we can make more recommendations if needed. By your comments, I'm guessing you may be using the default Microsoft sounds for MIDI, which are horrible. Tell us as much as you can about your system, especially whether or not you are using a software synth (VSTi or DXi). Also tell us what your Preferences, MIDI Driver, Output says.

BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.