Author Topic: Best audio card in your opinion (Read 1243 times)

Brenjen · « **on:** April 26, 2006, 04:19:47 PM »

I am sound card shopping. I would like input from you folks on what card is best for AHII. I am using the onboard sound that came on my ASUS mobo ( Realtek ALC850 ) & have been experiencing popping & crackle. I am not an audiophile per se; but I hate things that aren't right....I think they call it obesessive compulsive.

Anyway, I was looking for a card that's reasonable in price & doesn't lean on the CPU. The only sound card I have experience with is the SB LIVE 24Bit & I must say I wasn't impressed. I was looking at these three cards:

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16829156001

OR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829127001

OR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102178

I want your honest opinion, I don't care what it is; if you think the onboard audio is the best...say so. just please give some Information as to WHY you like this or that.

Also, I am not set on anything. Those three I posted above are just what I have narrowed it down to on my own over the past few weeks. If you have a different recommendation by all means....spill it! Inquiring minds want to know.

Thanks in advance for any help/information

x0847Marine · « **Reply #1 on:** April 26, 2006, 05:12:57 PM »

I just got one of these for my notebook:

http://www.turtlebeach.com/site/products/audioadv/roadie/producthome.asp

Turtle Beach Roadie, 5/ 7.1 SPDIF in / out works like a charm sounds spiffy neat-o.

Brenjen · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2006, 09:09:29 AM »

*bump*.....I hate to steal Autin Powers movie lines but "Throw me a fricken bone here people"

Stone · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2006, 09:54:53 AM »

Well they say that the on board kills FPS, but I have to wonder if that is still the case with new motherboards?

Also wonder what happens if you have dual core CPU. I mean, if onboard eats CPU cycles, but the game only works with one core, could it be possible that the "free" core just got a job?

68DevilM · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2006, 11:26:05 AM »

i have the last card (creative).....great card, great sound......no problems noted.......just make sure you updated ur drivers per http://www.creative.com.

Brenjen · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2006, 12:42:12 PM »

How about this one too, anyone?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102188

If you haven't noticed I'm not into cards than run much over $100. I can't see the cost vs. use for my needs which are listening to music & gaming.

68DevilM · « **Reply #6 on:** April 27, 2006, 01:00:32 PM »

i recomend the zs gamer

Brooke · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2006, 04:24:54 PM »

I've always used Creative Soundblaster-series cards and have had good luck with them. I always buy my computer with the card, though, not with built-in sound on the motherboard. This is based on past experience with on-board being slow and crappy -- but that was long ago. I, too, wonder if on-board sound is fine these days.

Brenjen · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2006, 07:12:02 PM »

To be honest, the onboard I have now is as good as the soundblaster live 24bit I had was. I just want to alleviate the popping & crackling that I hear on AH & I thought I could free up some CPU usage at the same time. (not that I really need it) That soundblaster was a piece O' crap in my opinion & that has sort of made me shy away from thinking about anything creative makes, but the Audigy & X-Fi have a decent reputation...I'm just so confused:)

Stone · « **Reply #9 on:** April 28, 2006, 01:39:18 AM »

When my old PC was still alive, it did also have noice when I used on board sound.

But if I muted the CD volume, the noice was gone.

So if you have connected the audio cabel in CD-ROM devices, try to mute the AUX/CD sound, maybe you get the same effect?

Brenjen · « **Reply #10 on:** April 28, 2006, 12:05:45 PM »

Okay, I went with the Audigy 2 ZS. Until I retire this PC to home theatre duty I just don't need the higher priced ( & better ) Auzentech X-Plosion 7.1

The Audigy should fill the role of gaming & light music use. Thank you to the folks that took the time to give me their opinions.

Hap · « **Reply #11 on:** April 29, 2006, 12:13:21 PM »

Turtle Beach -- AYE!:aok

~~hap~~

x0847Marine · « **Reply #12 on:** April 29, 2006, 03:10:42 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Brenjen
To be honest, the onboard I have now is as good as the soundblaster live 24bit I had was. I just want to alleviate the popping & crackling that I hear on AH & I thought I could free up some CPU usage at the same time. (not that I really need it) That soundblaster was a piece O' crap in my opinion & that has sort of made me shy away from thinking about anything creative makes, but the Audigy & X-Fi have a decent reputation...I'm just so confused:)

M audio makes a great sound card:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Revolution71-main.html

I also highly reccomend the Hercules line of cards:
http://www.hercules.com/showpage.php?swcty=UK&p=104&b=1&f=1

But I'm sticking with Turtle beach, after years and years of creatives cards, this one just sounds better to me.

With onboard sound... it depends if you have an APU, some do, most dont.

My tower motherboard, GA-7NNXP Gigabyte, has the on board sound with the NVIDIA Audio Processing Unit (APU) and SoundStorm technology... which is exactly like having a seperate sound card, and it actually sounds better, IMO, than the Audigy 2 I plugged in.

One brand to look into if you're "broke a joke", are the el-cheapo C-media line... I have a USB c media 5.1 thats worked just fine, but it looked cheaply made.

Brenjen · « **Reply #13 on:** April 29, 2006, 03:47:05 PM »

It's already a done deal with the audigy 2 zs. If you like the soundstorm that Nvidia....for some as yet unknown reason, just gave up on...then you'll probably dig the new Auzentech X-plosion. It revives the soundstorm experience from what I've read; & when I move this PC to the home theatre role it's getting an Auzentech card.

Jazz1 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2006, 03:20:09 AM »

I just ordered the AuzenTech HDA X-Plosion 7.1 DTS from NewEgg. I liked the rca coax on the sound card w/o having to install a big module on the front of your tower, or buy a seperate i/o module like you have to do with sound blaster if you want to use the digital coax i/o. Hope it works!