Decent Sound Card for my laptop?

Been wanting to try out a sound card since the sound on my np8150 is pretty bad. My cheap $130 phone sounds better lol. Anyways any suggestions on what to get? I don't want to spend too much money since im a bit tight on money atm. So i only want to spend around ~$60 USD or less although i might go up to $80.

 

How about $20?
Amazon.com : Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Go! Pro USB Audio System with THX SB1290 : Computer Internal Sound Cards : Electronics
This is one of the best-of-breed, i.e. low-cost USB adapter based on a perfectly OK audio chip and designed properly.

If you actually wanted to spend $80 (well $90), maybe this
Amazon.com: Fiio E07K Andes USB DAC and Portable Headphone Amplifier Black: Electronics
Though this is also a portable headphone amp as well.

If it's going to sit on a desk, then something like this
Amazon.com: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD USB Audio System with THX SB1240: Electronics
may not be a bad choice either for your $90.

 

I'm going to be using my headphones nearly all the time so it being a portable headphone amp is great. Anyways ill wait till a few more suggestions till i make my decision.

 

No, that's not quite relevant - all of the devices I linked can be used with headphones. All talk to a PC via USB. A portable amp means that it will amplify another thing if you connect it up via an analog cable, like an iPod.

 

Well to me a portable amp would be something that is self/battery powered

@ mariox238, the E07k probably sounds like the best bet for you if you want something you could potentially use on the run. If you want something that is geared more towards android devices, the FiiO E18 would also be another sound option.

 

You're confusing portable DAC-amp with portable analog input amp. Every DAC I linked, including the Fiio, is bus powered. The Fiio however needs the USB power additionally to recharge it's batteries, which powers it's analog input amp section. The batteries are not used when decoding and playing back USB audio - which is why if he isn't using it to amp anything else, it can be a somewhat debatable purchase beyond even something like the $20 Creative (i.e. it's not going to get you a spectacular increase in sound quality - although definitely a measurable increase - or features).

The E18 is just a higher-end version of the E07K, supports higher bitrates and it does the same things - the E07K can be used via an OTG cable with an Android, as can ANY standard USB Audio Class device.

 

Did you ever wind up purchasing something Mariox238? I'd be curious as to your thoughts on what you ended up with.