I would like recommendations on what sound card I should get to replace the SB live! It would need to be compatible with win xp home sp1 edition and not create the fs2002 sound distortions that are prevalent with the creative lab series

I don't have one myself but I have heard good reports about the hercules fortissimo III which is a mid-priced card.

I'm using a SB Audigy Gamer in XP with sp1 without problems

Go for an M-Audio Revolution 7.1, or a Hercules Digifire 7.1. CompUSA had the Hercules for $50 after rebates, the M-Audio runs right at $100.

I have the SB Live! Gamer and run Win XP and had those scratchy sounds too until I installed the SB PATCH for their latest drivers and all is perfect now. Give it a shot.Best Wishes,Randy J. Smith" A little learning is a dangerous thing"AMD XP 2100 |MUNCHKIN 512 DDR RAM |ECS[/b ] K7S5A MB |[b]GF3 64 MEG |WIN XP PRO |MITSUBISHI DIAMOND PLUS 91 19"

I also have a SB Live .1, and the patch didn't do much good for me. The scratchies are a little better, but now it's added a strange sounding reverb.

Thanks folks--I did forget to mention that the card must support a 6 speaker and/or cambridge 5.1 speaker system with woofer and center speaker