Virtual audio driver for Windows? [closed]

There is now a free (donationware) alternative to VAC Virtual Audio Cable. Check out VB-Audio Virtual Cable.

There are 32 bit and 64 bit drivers available to support one virtual cable. This cable appears to support 8 channels (7.1 surround) can handle 96kHz sample rate, and has an adjustable buffer size.

Then there are several drivers working even without any physical sound card present:

• e2eSoft VSC - Virtual Sound Card https://www.e2esoft.com/vsc/ (US$19.95)
• ShiningMorning's Virtual Audio Streaming http://www.virtualaudiostreaming.net/ (US$29.95 for private home use, more for commercial use)

but these two have no ability to apply effects, AFAIK.