Asus announced the Xonar D1 7.1 Audio card for PCI.

Following the success of the PCI express Xonar DX soundcard, ASUS offers now a PCI version with the same features.

The ASUS Xonar D1 PCI soundcard offers rich gaming audio effects and Dolby Home Theater features. This iteration of the Xonar provides fine-tuned audio components that reach a clear 116dB SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio); while the built-in DS3D GX revives support for DirectSound HW multi-channel gaming audio and the latest EAX (Environment Audio Extension) in PC games.

Most onboard audio can only provide 80-86 dB SNR. Consequently, background noises are noticeable and can interfere with music and games. By adopting a CirrusLogics CS4398 audio DAC (120dB SNR & 117dB THD+N), noise levels on the Xonar D1 soundcard are only 1/35 (2.8%) of the noise levels when compared to motherboard audio. Additionally, the Xonar D1 also produces as little as 1/32 (-105dB) of the total harmonics distortion present in motherboard audio (-75dB).

The Xonar D1 also comes equipped with the DS3D GX 2.0, which revives EAX HD 5.0 DirectSound HW effects in games for both Windows XP and Vista. DS3D GX 2.0 automatically enables the latest EAX and DirectSound HW after installation, with no additional driver patches, game modifications, or OpenAL required; while extending MMOG EAX to online chat, allowing users to place their voice into the game's environment with ease.

The new S/PDIF header allows connectivity with supported VGA cards, and facilitates merged outputs of audio and video through a VGA card's HDMI port. This provides a clean, simple solution for Home Theater PC builders.
Asus has not published a shipping date or pricing for the Xonar D1.
Via this Asus announcement.