I was looking at the M-Audio 2496 as a "pull-and-replace" PCI card. For $99 (free shipping) it seems very quiet, has a SPDIF out (actually 2) and rave reviews as a "Vanilla" audiophile card. I am pretty much done with SoundFonts (they were fun for a decade) and don't next EAX "Crystallizers" and other toys.

I have too many boxes hanging off the machine already to hang yet another USB device on it. The 2496 has been around since like 2006, and I hear few complaints (aside from newbies who don't know how to download a driver ..)

Anyone want to talk me out of it quick ?? I got an itchy PayPal finger .. especially < $100..

Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD4,SD1000
Yamaha RX-v381amp
VB-Audio virtual cables