Creative Sound Blaster ZxR Sound Card Review
 

Creative has recently launched their latest ZxR Sound Blaster flagship which features a more simplified software interface and the hardware is divided in two components, one being the main card and the other DBpro daughter board which is able to offer optical output for outstanding audio playback along with professional-grade ADCs with RCA Aux-in and optical inputs. The solid ACM (Audio Control Module) gives us access to MIC/headphone connectors in both 3.5mm and ¼’’ formats, but also a built-in microphone array along with a large volume control dial.

http://www.madshrimps.be/articles/article/1000526/

What I'm missing in this review is a comparisson with some onboard sound chips to see if investing in a high-end (expensive) add-on soundcard is really worthwile.

Especially for mini and micro ATX case owners it would have been better to place all components on one card and use a breakout box connected to the main card with 1 cable. With the current implementation you loose 2 slots which for the above mentioned are not always available.

dedicated cards have "not been worthwhile" for quite some time now;
only if you have a speaker setup to warrant the price of a soundcard would I invest.
otherwise onboard will do "fine".