Using Windows 10 I use the suggested 6.0.8 driver for Win7 SP1 and all is fine as far as I know. I can get 24 bit 96KHz if I choose. One this is annoying however, when I exit Sonar, then click on a video, I get no sound unless I go to the M-Audio control and set it back to 44.1. That was happening with Google chrome watching Youtube and I fixed that playing with the share driver options (I forget exactly), but not any video player program playing a video I have on my drive. I guess Sonar is not releasing the driver.


Anyway, besides that, I wonder, since I have the one pci slot on my MB for the 2496, if I should get a Juli@ card with actual Win 10 drivers since that card is still available (not sure if that is better than my 2496) or maybe explore USB options. I have a Fire Wire card also installed for past video work.

I used a Juli@ PCI card in Windows 10 for a while (after I sold my VS-700 and before I got my RME), and its a perfectly decent card, with good support and solid drivers. Converters are decent, and I suspect they sound better than the old M-Audio card. I used to have a M-Audio 2496, too, but that was way back when I first got started doing audio on my computer (maybe 15 years ago, I think...), so I can't really recall how it sounded compared to the Juli@. But the Juli@ will certainly do the job, and the drivers work.
 
There are also lots of decent - and inexpensive - USB interfaces on the market, too, in particular the ones from Focusrite. They are worth a look, although I have never used one myself, so I can't speak from experience on those.
 

Rick Viola
Using Windows 10 I use the suggested 6.0.8 driver for Win7 SP1 and all is fine as far as I know. I can get 24 bit 96KHz if I choose. One this is annoying however, when I exit Sonar, then click on a video, I get no sound unless I go to the M-Audio control and set it back to 44.1. That was happening with Google chrome watching Youtube and I fixed that playing with the share driver options (I forget exactly), but not any video player program playing a video I have on my drive. I guess Sonar is not releasing the driver.


Anyway, besides that, I wonder, since I have the one pci slot on my MB for the 2496, if I should get a Juli@ card with actual Win 10 drivers since that card is still available (not sure if that is better than my 2496) or maybe explore USB options. I have a Fire Wire card also installed for past video work.

 Surprising one can still get a [link=mailto:Juli@.Â]Juli@.[/link]
 
 Everything outside of audio runs at 16bit.  Your best solution is used onboard audio for non DAW.  I have a AP2496 and it is flawless in W10 when I use it for what it was designed for.
 
 

What's good about those usb boxes is the headphone output. Right now I rigged my monitor amp to the speakers with a switch and some resistors and a headphone jack. But I don't need a pre-amp for my mic. I use an Art MP for that. On my 2496 I made an interface box up to arms reach with switches to route my outboard input gadgets and switch to select my Alesis RA-100 amp and Monitor One's speakers or desktop speakers for general listening. I don't actually record that often. It takes me a long time to develop a song to the point of actually recording. 
I've only had this computer for a year and got a MB with one pci slot just for the 2496. What's good about USB however is the next computer, whenever, will be able to use it.
So just playing with upgrade ideas and wondering if the 2496 was good enough to get impressive quality or if the Juli@ would be a step up. This M-Audio does have great specs, old drivers aside. 
 

Since you've got a fire wire port, you might try looking up a deal on eBay for a used interface. I'm really happy with the MOTU Ultralight MKIII hybrid,  you can go either USB or fire wire with it. I use the fire port since it powers the unit too, otherwise you need to plug in the wall-wart.

  "Everything outside of audio runs at 16bit.  Your best solution is used onboard audio for non DAW.  I have a AP2496 and it is flawless in W10 when I use it for what it was designed for."
 
I guess from Win95/98 days, I have this fear of irq conflicts turning on my on board audio. That's a thought though.

OK, here is a solution for other media sound not playing after using sonar above 44.1KHz, instead of bringing up my Delta 2496 control panel and switching back to 44.1.
There is probably a more direct path to these windows settings, but here is how I got there:
 
Right click Windows speaker icon.
Click Play Back Devices.
Highlight in my case for my 2496, Line 1/2 or Multichannel.
Click Properties.
Select Advanced tab.
Uncheck "Allow applications to take exclusive control..."
 
Now video files in Media Player, or Chrome, or VLC or Pot Player, or Windows Movies and TV have sound always.
Hooray! 
 
Update: Oops. Forget about that fix. What is happening is,  if in Sonar I set the sample rate to 44.1 or 96 KHz, sound for other apps will play fine. Any other rate set in Sonar, will prevent other apps to play after closing Sonar unless I change my 2496 control panel back to 44.1 or 96K. Some sample rates cause the SPDIF to have input instead of the normal card input, some not at all. That's weird.
 

New solution in case anyone needs info.
Set the 2496 in its control panel for 48KHz, for example.
Right click windows speaker, click Playback devices.
Highlight one 2496 device (do this for each) then properties, then advanced tab.
In the Default Format drop down, select 48KHz and click Test.
If test fails, try a lower one that passes then try 48K again and it should work.
Do this for each 2496 device.
Try a restart.
Open Sonar, set audio for 48K, close Sonar.
All audio should work fine at 48K now.
This is either bad drivers or a Win10 bug, or he fact M-Audio never released Win10 drivers for this card.
 
BTW, all of this seems to only be valid if there is nothing previously recorded in a project. Otherwise, Sorar will set the sample rate back to what ever was set at the time of recording any audio.