Windows 7 - Will I see much of an improvement?

Currently have an Asus Xonar DS sound card and was thinking of getting an M Audio Audiophile 2496,would i see much of an improvement?

Cheers

I'd doubt it unless you have a specialized use for sound cards or unless the new card has some particular features not available on the old card.

If you are a typical user, your speakers or headphones are likely to be much more important factors on general sound quality.

That card (and most of M Audios line) is speciically made for music production.

While it'll work in general for playing music and games, it will only do stereo, not 5.1 or 7.1 surround or anything special. It's a no-nonsense, high speed, bullet proof, low latency sound IO device for people doing digital audio work with maybe an analog input or two. (Mic/guitar) and a midi port for a KB.

So as Ignatz said, depends on what you want from it. If you want TV/Blueray/Game performance then no I'd get somehting specifically tialored to general computer use. If you want to use a softsynth to make music or something then yes, that's a fine card to get.

Its mostly for listening to music,as the other poster said a good pair of speakers is essential,which I have,it would be just for listening to music!

Cheers

Well it should play stereo music well! I have the Delta 44 and use it for that all the time, connected to a pair of 8 inch studio monitors... it sounds great. Though most any audio card that isn't the cheapest POS should do that ok

As far as compared to whatyou have now, I have no idea really... :/

Have a set of Logitech z523 2.1 speakers,will these plug into a m audio 2496 or will i need studio speakers?

Well you notice that the outputs are RCA jacks on the 2496 That means you need to plug them into an amplifier or self amplified speakers. you /might/ be able to find or solder up a cable to go from the RCA jacks to a 1/8 stereo jack as I assume the logitech speakers require, though I can;t say how well that would work.

But generally a cheap pair of self amplified "studio" speakers will blow away even the best "computer" speakers But they are more expensive of course... :/