Important factors in soundcard sound quality

The signal to noise ratio (S/N-ratio) is the most often talked about soundcard performance measurements, but it is not the only one which has got to do with the sound quality. Signal to noise ratio is just one factor of sound quality, that shows the background noise level and dynamic potential (typical PC soundcards have problems in keeping the background noise levels low inside noisy PC so that factor is usually measured). Like in every electronic audio systems there are many factors which have effect on the sound quality. The most important factors in soundcard sound quality are (not in order):

• Signal to noise ratio
• Harmonic and intermodulation distortion levels
• A/D and D/A conversion resolution and accuracy
• Through circuit accuracy (accuracy to output exactly what was put into it)
• Channel separation
• Frequency response
• Timing accuracy (when digital audio is used)
• Clock and intercomponent isolation