soundblaster audigy 2 problem

[marvel]

have a dell optiplex gx280, a samson CO3 condenser mic, a behringer tube ultragain mic200 pre amp and for sound, i just have the whole thing hooked up to a kenwood mini hifi component system.

my problem is this..

i just bought a new soundcard, a sound blaster audigy 2 6.1 24bit digital, BUT, it crackles all the time. more so when i adjust computer volume levels thru its mixer(on the computer). i have properly configured everything and i dont understand why this crackle wont go away. when i attempt to record with cool edit pro, it just makes funny patterns in the .wav table like it has a digital encoding problem or something.im starting to think i have a faulty sound card. i have up to date drivers for the soundcard n all, the latest version of directX, and the ******* of a thing still wont work.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Marvel.

P.S - the soundcard doesnt look damaged in any shape or form.

[NooNoo]

Welcome to Windrivers Marvel.

That dell has onboard AC97 sound.. is it disabled in bios/setup? If not disable it and uninstall the drivers, then try again. If there is no improvement, do you have another PC to try the card in? If it does it in another PC, send it back.