Author Topic: Best audio card in your opinion (Read 1268 times)

WilldCrd · « **Reply #30 on:** December 10, 2006, 08:17:28 AM »

Whats the difference between 7.1 and 5.1 if you have 5 speakers and a subwolfer as i do than wouldnt 7.1 be a waste?
Im looking at getting a new sound card as well because my onboard is starting to have some issues.
Also i have 2 dvd burners and 1 dvd player, can i hook up all or just 1 to the cards cd input?

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #31 on:** December 10, 2006, 09:04:57 AM »

7.1 does not bring any real benefit to anyone, it's more of a marketing gimmick.

7.1 is for the people who don't know anything about audio and are happy just having a 7.1 label and plastic soapbox speakers spread around the room. Any audiophile would burst into laugh if someone would present that kind of setup with a serious face to them.

Even 5.1 benefit is highly questionable as many people dont have what it takes to build a true 5.1 system. Meaning 5 identical Hi-Fi speakers and a quality subwoofer.

We're talking $2000 for speakers alone minimum where regular stereo you can get away with $400 speakers for a basic beginner level system. Although a quality subwoofer such as Velodyne DD-18 will stomp that $2000 budget alone, mind you.

My current setup (for gaming) is $400 Chorus 2-way speakers in stereo configuration and Yamaha DSP-AX2 as the amplifier. Yes the amp is a *slight* overkill but it was lying around without use anyway so..

The Choruses are beginner level hi-fi speakers and have quite good value for their price even though they aren't what I hope from audio.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #32 on:** December 10, 2006, 10:22:14 AM »

MrRipley is quite right. I just got through going through an upgrade to my home theater system. Moved my old Yamaha DSP-A1 into the office to use with the computer. Like his, definately, overkill.

Not counting the new amp (DSP-Z9) I plonked down nearly $8,000 for the 3 mains and 2 rear surround speakers (B&W). Already have $5,000 in the B&W subs (non-powered) (dual configuration). Still on the fence about adding the 2 additional front surrounds that the Yamahe amp will support.

Any thoughts there MrRipley?

7.1 is a bit of a joke and is all about marketing. If it was done correctly, it would be a minor benefit to large theaters. But for home use, it really is useless. The tradeoffs from 5.1 to 7.1 just are not worth it.

WilldCrd · « **Reply #33 on:** December 10, 2006, 03:35:39 PM »

Quote

Not counting the new amp (DSP-Z9) I plonked down nearly $8,000 for the 3 mains and 2 rear surround speakers (B&W). Already have $5,000 in the B&W subs (non-powered) (dual configuration). Still on the fence about adding the 2 additional front surrounds that the Yamahe amp will support.

ooooohhhhhhhhh can i come over and watch movies at your house?? pweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaassssssse eeeeee!!!!!!!!

Anywho whn i was asking about the 7.1 issue it was in regards to pc sound cards. i dont have a extravagant sound system just the 5 logitec speakers and subwolffer
i was thinking of this one
extreme gamer
99.00 after rebate
i did al littel digging and the picture is incorrect tho

it shows a different card with the i/o front panel THAt particular card sells for about $200.00
i would just like a good (better than decent) sound card in the $100.00 price range.
If anyone knows of a 5.1 card that is really good im all ears. i havent found one that was near my 100.00 range so im open to suggestions

I dont really know much about the creative fatality series but what i have read so far has impressed me

EDIT: the audigy 2 zs card looks really awsome and has gotten great reviews
is it worth the extra $82.00 at newegg? I like playing my dvd's in surround sound and my gamming ofcourse. Im not really looking to build some sic system that shatters windows BUT, i do like good quality sound reproduction

Jazz1 · « **Reply #34 on:** December 10, 2006, 03:48:11 PM »

Oops... spoke too soon about my onboard sound working great on the EVGA 680i mobo. I thought is was fine, but dj229 said I didn't answer a number of his calls and I also didn't hear some of his. So, I think I'll try installing that new Auzentech X-Plosion I bought, even though their tech dept hasn't answered my support tickets asking about drivers and why the beta driver doesn't seem to install. I tried to shame them into answering by telling them I was poo-pooing their product on this forum, but that may have backfired for me...

That terratec MrRipley's talking about must be an UK only item as I don't see too may for sale on this side of the pond...

38ruk · « **Reply #35 on:** December 10, 2006, 11:24:03 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by MOIL
Get the X-Fi and be done with it. Superb gaming sound!!!!

~~Yep i have to agree , for gaming my X-FI has been great , by far the best creative card ive ever had .~~

Connection · « **Reply #36 on:** December 11, 2006, 02:16:14 PM »

I cant believe the Audigy was suggested and even purchased over the X-Fi, which is a superior card for gaming. If you wanna play hardware accelerated EAX games, get an X-Fi ExtremeMusic for below $100.

If not, then just use onboard audio.

WilldCrd · « **Reply #37 on:** December 11, 2006, 03:28:32 PM »

Think im gonna go with the x-fi fatality for gamers
99.00 after rebate

Skuzzy · « **Reply #38 on:** December 11, 2006, 03:37:50 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Connection
I cant believe the Audigy was suggested and even purchased over the X-Fi, which is a superior card for gaming. If you wanna play hardware accelerated EAX games, get an X-Fi ExtremeMusic for below $100.

If not, then just use onboard audio.

EAX is going away in the near future. Just FYI.

Connection · « **Reply #39 on:** December 11, 2006, 03:56:53 PM »

That may be true, but current games use it to great effect, and its still the better card.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #40 on:** December 11, 2006, 04:35:06 PM »

Can you install the drivers only for the X-Fi line yet? Or do you still have to install the Creative utilities? If you are still forced to install the Creative utilities, no matter how good the hardware is (and the X-Fi line is good stuff), Creative utilities can absolutely wreck your PC.

Presonal preference for EAX, as I do not like it at all. It was/is a lazy programmer who uses it.

Connection · « **Reply #41 on:** December 11, 2006, 07:50:17 PM »

You can install the drivers only, and the control panel is VERY minimal. Seems they learned their lesson and are careful not to bloat it.

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #42 on:** December 12, 2006, 11:31:02 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
MrRipley is quite right. I just got through going through an upgrade to my home theater system. Moved my old Yamaha DSP-A1 into the office to use with the computer. Like his, definately, overkill.

Not counting the new amp (DSP-Z9) I plonked down nearly $8,000 for the 3 mains and 2 rear surround speakers (B&W). Already have $5,000 in the B&W subs (non-powered) (dual configuration). Still on the fence about adding the 2 additional front surrounds that the Yamahe amp will support.

Any thoughts there MrRipley?

7.1 is a bit of a joke and is all about marketing. If it was done correctly, it would be a minor benefit to large theaters. But for home use, it really is useless. The tradeoffs from 5.1 to 7.1 just are not worth it.

I've heard the Yamaha setup with full speakers and I wasn't impressed. The difference was there obviously but nothing to blow my mind really. Having said that if you have an extra pair of speakers with no use, go ahead and try it. I wouldn't invest money into that though.

I've always been more of a 2-way guy anyway and I found that I preferred to listen even movies through my full range electrostatic speakers instead of using the surround. The ESL:s have ample holography for a single viewer. Meaning you get full surround sound from only 2 speakers - downside is that you get it only in a very narrow sweet spot.

If you watch mostly alone, good dipole speakers can deliver just enough for one person. For sessions with several people, surround setup is a must. But it comes with a price.. both spatial and financial.

llama · « **Reply #43 on:** December 12, 2006, 02:02:03 PM »

I just thought I would mention that I use an older Sound Blaster Audigy LS card. This is the first generation Audigy, and it includes a well-built gameport and 5.1 surround sound.

I don't think I've ever had a sound-card related problem. Ever. I have a Medusa 5.1 surround sound headphone system, and can vouch that the surround functionality works as advertised, even with full acceleration.

Though an older card, I would certainly look for another one if I needed it...

-Llama