Good Laptop Sound Card

I lost one of the cushions for my headphones the other day which I am using as an excuse to upgrade to a new pair. So while I am at it I am looking at adding a new sound card into my laptop which I have been using more and more over my desktop these days. My laptop is a Dell XPSM1730, so I'm looking for something that uses an express card slot. I really don't want to have to plug in USB adpaters as this sort of defeats the purpose of a laptop when you have to plug in 50 devices to use it. Had my eye on the Creative Xfi one but I'm having trouble finding conclusive reviews as customer comments aren't that trust worthy. Does anyone have anyexperience with laptop sound cards, where should I be looking?

I am also interested in this. Is it worth the 80$?

Well, I wouldn't think that you would get a huge leave in quality from the built in laptopspeakers. The reason I am looking at a new sound card is because I am opting for the use of some very expansive high end headphones, therefore i don't want an integrated card feeding the audio to me. Bottom line if you have good speakers you need a good card because what you put in is what is going to come out. I think I will give this card a shot, I will post back my thoughts at a later date, since I have to wait on it's delivery.

Ive not tried the laptop version but i do have an Xfi card in my desk top and its a stonkingly good card, if the portable version uses the same chip then it will be a very good card espcially if u run windows XP.

Well, I wouldn't think that you would get a huge leave in quality from the built in laptopspeakers. The reason I am looking at a new sound card is because I am opting for the use of some very expansive high end headphones, therefore i don't want an integrated card feeding the audio to me. Bottom line if you have good speakers you need a good card because what you put in is what is going to come out. I think I will give this card a shot, I will post back my thoughts at a later date, since I have to wait on it's delivery.

ALLoY1717

If you're using good headphones then you'll probably need a separate amp anyway. Look up Headroom's total bithead.markop2003

Sound cards include amplification circuitry. I use Sound Blaster X-Fi (regular - not for a lappy) with even 250 Ohm headphones. Most decent headphones are rated between 30 and 80 Ohms these days so a good sound card will drive them with no problem.

I mean - amps are nice to have but if this is for a lappy I would avoid yet another box that has to be hooked up and all. If you listen to music or play with good headphones the difference between onboard audio and a sound card is audible. I heard good things about Audigy 2ZS PCMCIA but that was a while ago, not sure if this is still the best laptop card out there.