I prefer TB Santa Cruz or Hercules Game Theater XP myself

LED's right, the Sound Blaster Live is the same card between the XGamer, MP3, and Platinum models, the only difference is the little 'extras' that come with it. If you want extras that bad, go to Hoontech, they actually make accessories for SB Live Values. Frankly, I think creative labs makes electronically noisy cards, and would prefer to avoid them at all cost (I'm still missing my Aureal 3D Vortex 2, but the TB Santa Cruz is proving to be a worthy successor). Anyway, another review site to see is 3D Sound Surge. ^_^ Have fun picking out sound cards.