SYBA SD-PEX63034 7.1 Channels 24-bit 48KHz PCI Express x1 Interface Surround Sound Digital/Analog Audio Card

Pros: Cheap, easy to install, works well for stereo sources.

Cons: Included software has lots of options that aren't explained. 5.1 surround through optical audio works sporadically: I have a Pioneer SX-218 receiver with optical input, and some surround test files play normally while some don't. I get no sound out of the rear or center speakers using the speaker test in the driver software.

Pros: Amazing Sound!

Cons: No labeled Ports :/

Other Thoughts: I bought this so i could use my Tritton 720+ on my pc, and this allowed me to do so! The sound quality is amazing! I play a lot of games now on my pc because i am able to use my Tritton for the surround sound!

Pros: Good (DVD) quality audio, can be configured for stereo, 5.1, or 7.1 audio out via optical. Optional optical in and a few other neat features that I don't necessarily use or need.

Cons: Installing the driver is can be a little tricky if you have existing audio drivers installed (on board audio or other audio cards). It took me about 4 hours of troubleshooting to finally find the right configuration that would install the driver. The Setup.exe file for the driver doesn't give many helpful hints unless you contact support - failures result in a hex-code error message.

I had to manually install the .inf file via device manager to install the driver successfully. Since the driver is not digitally signed, you are taking your chances for conflicts that you may or may not be aware exist. These conflicts result in an almost immediate BSOD. In other words, this driver does not play nicely with others.

I am using a Dolby Digital setup and know that it works.

Other Thoughts: Support is decent. The only way to contact them that I was able to find was via email (see some other reviews here for the email address). They are available Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, but don't ask me which time zone - I have no idea. However, I sent two emails (one over a weekend) and received a good response time that led to some ideas for me to get this card functioning.

I am uncertain if this card works with DTS, but I am running Dolby Digital and it seems to work fine.

I am utilizing this card in an HTPC. All channels are currently working, but I have only had this card "live" for about an hour at this point.

Pros: Just works in modern linux distros.
Excellent sound. In fact, better sound than the Realtek onboard audio that this is replacing.

Cons: Does not come with low-profile brackets

Other Thoughts: Another reviewer said the daughter card is necessary. This is not so -- at least for optical out.

My mobo's onboard audio died, and this was a cheap way to get optical audio back up and running. Works perfecectly with the iec958 setting in XBMC. My case is low-profile, so I just bent the kr4p out of the bracket, and dremmelled a screw hole to make it fit.

This card doesn't like to wake out of suspend, so you need to reset it with a little script:
create /etc/pm/sleep.d/0_snd-ice1724 with these contents:
#!/bin/bash
case $1 in
hibernate)
service pulseaudio stop
modprobe -r snd-ice1724
;;
suspend)
service pulseaudio stop
modprobe -r snd-ice1724
;;
thaw)
modprobe snd-ice1724
service pulseaudio start
;;
resume)
modprobe snd-ice1724
service pulseaudio start
;;
*) ;;
esac

Pros: This is a interesting card, excellent for smaller cases and such.

Cons: This is really my fault but, the car does not seem to work properly if the other half is not attached. The motherboard recognizes the single main piece but, I get not audio from any of the ports. Have tried in multiple computers, both Win7 and Win8, no sound. Not worried about an RMA as it wasn't expensive.

Other Thoughts: I did not bother plugging in the other half. My case can't fit it. So if it doesn't fit, I can't use it any ways.

Pros: Cheep and effective, nothing spectacular but it gets the job done.

Cons: It should be obvious but if you need the card's full 7.1 system it will require the use of two card slots. I only need it to supplement optical but I'd be out of space if I needed to use both halves of the port.

Pros: I bought this card for my HTPC system which is PC that needs Optical output to my 10 year old receiver. I reviewd a lot of positive feedbacks in NewEgg and this card proved it. Now I've got a cristal clear 5.1 CH system. Very satisfied.

Cons: It was not easy to set up 5.1 CH. At the begining, the system was working for only 2 channels. But somehow it worked finally. ;-) I've changed a lot of setups in control pannels. Still I don't know exactly how to do it.

Other Thoughts: If your PC doesn't have HDMI connector, This is the cheapest way to turn your old PC to ultimate HTPC system. Also this card works with Windows 7.

Pros: I don't own this card, but contacted Syba to ask if it was compatible with Windows 8, or if drivers would be released for Windows 8.

Cons: This was Syba's response:

"Thank you for contacting SYBA.

We do apologize, but no this card is not compatible with Windows 8."

Other Thoughts: Like many other devices, it may be possible to get it working in Windows 8 anyway, through Windows Update, or via a built-in driver. I don't know for sure, but it's a bad sign if the manufacturer themselves don't suggest it, but flat-out say "no".

Also, I gave a full 5-egg rating because this isn't really a review. If you have this card working in Win8, please write a review to confirm!

Pros: Low cost

Cons: Useless because software caused blue screen in a system operating without fail for over a year

Other Thoughts: Windows 7 running on I7-2600 in Intel motherboard

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Customer,

This card is based on a well known VIA chipset. Windows 7 is fully supported--Unless the wrong driver was insatalled.

Please contact our technical support team for more help with this issue.

If possible, please visit our website for the correct driver download.Enter your items Part Number in the search section.

Also test the card in a different PCI-e slot. Some times, that will help.

Our technical support team is available to help 9am-5pm M-F. Feel free to contact us during those business hours at support@sybausa.com

SYBA offers an on-line RMA form, the user can easily fill out the form and submit it for a quick RMA return and exchange. It is SYBA's policy to answer all customer inquiries within 24 hours (M-F)

Thank you for purchasing one of our products, and for leaving us your valuable feedback. We value all positive and negative feedback.

Regards, SYBA CST 12062012

Pros: This works perfectly as a 7.1 and plugs into a PCIe x1. My onboard went south. I needed a replacement. Inexpensive and works greats.

Slick.

Cons: None

Other Thoughts: None. No issues.