Best Sound card value?

[hobcat1]

Audigy is just so bland. It's the norm, meaning I want something else! W/ my new computer, I had the choice of an Audigy DE for 50 bucks or a X-Gamer for 80 bucks. With a computer manufacturer, that didn't seem like such a good deal, especially when the DE was an OEM. I LIKE extras. That's why I'm looking at these:
1. Philips Acoustic Edge-cheap, but not as many I/O options
2. TB Santa Cruz-cheaper than below, but for a few more dollars, could have same actual card w/ more feateurs.
3. My favorite, the Hercules Game Theater XP 6.1. For 99.99 at compusa (retail much more), I could get a breakout box w/ comparable performance to the Audigy. Granted, it's not as high quality (or high price)as the Audigy Platinum eX...but...

 

[NeoMadHatter]

the hercules game theater xp is a great card. i love the breakout box it's awesome. for the price around $90 that's a steal.

 

[Pabster]

The Santa Cruz is the best choice. You can pay $50 more for a cheap plastic breakout box with the GTXP, but the SC is the better value.

 

[human2k]

Another vote for santa cruz..........excellent card + excellent driver support = a winner!

 

[pookieguy]

don't forget the Fortissimo II.
EXCELLENT card. SOLID drivers.

 

[hobcat1]

Hmm...I think I'm going for the GTXP 6.1. Drivers have improved greatly, especially w/ WinXP. Same DSP as the Santa Cruz, in a better box, for 20-30 dollars more? Gotta take it. (Great deal at BestBuy and CompUSA. Anyone know if CompUSA will pricematch-give me a lower price if both places have same price?)

 

[Antoneo]

Originally posted by: pookieguy
don't forget the Fortissimo II.
EXCELLENT card. SOLID drivers.

what chipset does the fortissmo II use?

 

[hobcat1]

And I quote: (from hothardware.com)

"The Fortissimo II is based on the Crystal SoundFusion 4624 audio processor, a slightly scaled down version of the SoundFusion 4630 processor found in the GameTheatreXP and Turtle Beach?s Santa Cruz. The comparison between the two is not unlike comparing an AMD Duron with an Athlon. What is missing then, you ask? Well, with the 4624 chipset, you only get 4 channel gaming, and no MP3 acceleration where the 4630 supports 6 channels and MP3 acceleration. What this means is that you won?t get any 5.1 speaker support, which may lead to some consternation among audiophiles, especially those who watch DVDs (and paid extra for that center channel speaker). MP3 acceleration is not really a concern, however, since just about every modern PC has enough power to use ?software? decoding for MP3s."

So THAT's why the Fortissimo is so cheap...no 5.1!

Sorry it's so long, but I like to get the answer right...

 

[holdencommodore]

Philips Acoustic Edge, Seismic Edge PSC705, or Rythmic Edge PSC703.....they are all good! Better if you can get a OEM version too!

Cheers

 

[TheWart]

another vote for the Phillips Acoustic Edge (note, Phillips has been AMAZING in its efforts to improve the AE drivers....they have really matured the drivers for this card!)