In the market for a new card now that my SoundBlaster AE5 is literally dying on me. Not completely, but it's starting to distort audio (it's slight and random, but super annoying when it happens). I actually thought it was my headset, but tried 2 headsets, my usual (Astro A40 (yes I know, old)) and my girlfriends Sennheisers, issues with distortion on both. So far no distortion on the motherboard audio. 
 
Been using Soundblaster since the early X-Fi days... Shopping around. Just wondering how people are liking the Nu Audio card. How are the drivers? Sound quality? I'm just looking at the Nu Audio (Standard - Not Pro... $250 dollars for an audio card is already super super steep).
 
I'm just considering options since I've spent the last few days gaming and listening to music, and just can't take it anymore. My ears are simply adjusted to high end audio after years and years of being on sound cards. 
 
Any reviews or opinions are great and I thank you for any comments. There are other cheaper options out there. Just wanna see if EVGA can be an option for an audiophile like me this time around.