jpff@maths.bath.ac.uk wrote:
> 
> In a fit of uncharacteristic benevolence my Head of Department has
> agreed to buy my student a Linux PC with soundcard.  So, I am asking
> all you knowledgeable people what soundcard should I ask for?  

I cannot give a definitive answer but I can refer you to my page that
attempts to collect all available knowledge about this.
I am making some minor relevant updates today, BTW.

I will point out as always that the usefulness of a page of this sort
depends entirely on the user submissions...
so send some, people!

linux audio-quality-HOWTO:
http://www.ulster.net/~abigoo/pw_linux/Audio-Quality-HOWTO.html

best,