Frank,
I totally agree, and my softsynth experience spans the incredible amount of 1-2 weeks.

The Pc is a Theodore-assembled Frankenstein, (used to work in a computer store for 6 years, so I haven't forgotten how to do it), and I am downloading everything I stumble on on the net, so it is not "clean".

Electrically it is not clean also, and I also believe this hiss problem is related to the soundcard , not the samples. I'll try 44.1 Khz instead of 48 Khz, to see if things will better.

What about the Audigy2 ZS? Is it worth the 70 EUROS for the bulk or 90 Euros for the retail????
Or a borrowed and never returned SB Live Value will do the trick?