I started using a Creative Sound Blaster Live Value internal PCI sound card (model CT4870 or CT4780 - they are virtually identical) many years ago because it was recommended for its linear input section by the spectrum analyzer program I use on my PC.  Out of half a dozen recommended sound cards, it was the only affordable one.  Now they are dirt cheep, like $5 on Ebay.

A couple years ago I decided to upgrade.  I bought a brand new Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio internal PCI card (SB0790).  I had to buy a new, faster PC (running Windows XP) to support it.   I hated it!  It had all these electronic bells and whistles that were suppose to make the music sound better.  They worked to some extent, but I'm much happier without any of that crap.  I wound up selling it on Ebay 3 months after I bought it and went back to Sound Blaster Live Value.

Now I see that it is no longer recommended by my spectrum analyzer web site as all their soundcards are now USB or Firewire.  If nothing else, for very little money this might be a good base line to compare other sound cards too.

Dan

Thanks guys!

It looks like I could pickup an X-Fi at OfficeMax for about $50 & maybe cheaper on E-bay!
The Burson-modified Prodigy would be at the top of my budget @ $350 on sale right now! Is it worth 7 times the price of the X-Fi? I would pay it if it is a good value, knowing that you can spend well over a Grand for the most expensive/best(???) sound cards!!!

I am using my HP pentium 4, XP OS for a music server & will be converting LPs-to-CDs! Do you know if both will be able to accel in those two areas(an excellent ADC)? Is there something in between?  
Kelly 

this is what they say of the card before mods

http://ixbtlabs.com/articles2/multimedia/prodigy-hd2-gold-page1.html