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M-Audio's $100 Revolution 7.1 is a rarity among PC sound cards--it does its job well and gets out of your way.

Courtesy of an Envy 24HT sound chip, the Revolution can play back eight channels of DVD-Audio-quality sound (24 bits/192 kHz) using the included Intervideo WinDVD software. And two features in the Revolution's drivers--SRS Labs' TruSurround XT and Circle Surround II--help fill a room with sound through just about any speaker arrangement.

The Revolution has no internal analog or S/PDIF connectors, which simplifies setup but also means that your CD or DVD drive must support digital playback (some older drives don't; check your PC first). A simple but effective control panel lets you adjust your speaker setup, including the crossover points and delays.

In my tests of a shipping unit with MP3, CD, and DVD audio, the card produced remarkably crisp and accurate sound (it boasts a 107-decibel signal-to-noise ratio). A coaxial digital-audio-out connector lets you connect to either a standard home stereo or powered speakers.

The one drawback: The Revolution package feels a little short on extras. You get MixMan Studio, Vjay Lite, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, but an editing app for .wav files would have been nice, too.

Software shortfalls aside, I found the Revolution to be a top-notch product. Audio-loving PC owners should seriously consider it alongside the better-known Sound Blaster Audigy 2 from Creative Labs.

SUMMARY

M-Audio Revolution 7.1 No-nonsense, high-quality PC sound card handles DVD-Audio and 7.1-channel surround, but lacks some software amenities. Street: $100

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