snip

Why are you only using 16 bit PCM? Surely your sound card can manage
24/96 - that is pretty much the standard these days.


I thought we were talking about a comparison with CD.
For my studio I use an M-Audio 2496 Pro audio card (no sound generating
capability). I'm very pleased with it.
No doubt I could do better but funds wont allow and I don't feel a need to
change. It does a fine job though and I would recommend it to anyone
involved with home recording etc.
PC sound cards are inadequate but then, to be fair, they are not designed
for it.

Paul