First Sound Card

[teatime0315]

So right now I have the logitech z4 2.1 speakers. And i wanted to know if this sound card would make a difference in sound quality compared to my onboard.
X-Fi Fatal1ty

 

[AVP]

I think most X-Fi will help your sound and also limit the stress on the cpu but I maybe wrong. I happen to have onboard and I am not that picky so I haven't really looked into it, though I know in Vanguard a sound card helped performance a little. Anyways...if your willing to spend that much on a sound card I would look into other offerings as well, I came across this in another thread and it looks promising: http://www.razerzone.com/Products/Gamin...Razer-Barracuda-AC1-Gaming-Sound-Card/

 

[imported_Tango]

Just a note: X-Fi will not have Vista Drivers till mid March...

 

[lobbyone]

How bout Turtlebeach or Azuntech sound cards?

 

[teatime0315]

Originally posted by: AVP
I think most X-Fi will help your sound and also limit the stress on the cpu but I maybe wrong. I happen to have onboard and I am not that picky so I haven't really looked into it, though I know in Vanguard a sound card helped performance a little. Anyways...if your willing to spend that much on a sound card I would look into other offerings as well, I came across this in another thread and it looks promising: http://www.razerzone.com/Products/Gamin...Razer-Barracuda-AC1-Gaming-Sound-Card/

Wow wth i never knew the made soundcards.. how does it fair with the xfis though?

 

[teatime0315]

Originally posted by: Tango
Just a note: X-Fi will not have Vista Drivers till mid March...

Thats okay... no upgrade till i get a DX10 card which will probably be a year from now

 

[teatime0315]

Originally posted by: lobbyone
How bout Turtlebeach or Azuntech sound cards?

How do these fair with the Xfi? cause i rarely hear about these.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: teatime0315
So right now I have the logitech z4 2.1 speakers. And i wanted to know if this sound card would make a difference in sound quality compared to my onboard.

What level of quality are you after?
A. Top shelf, pure sound reproduction, no price too high.
B. Good overall sound card for some cool effects in gaming, some music, I'm on a budget.
C. Something cheapish so I can say I've got a dedicated sound card.

 

[JEDIYoda]

With what I know now....
IMO Azuntech sound cards are the best at this level on the market!!

 

[teatime0315]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: teatime0315
So right now I have the logitech z4 2.1 speakers. And i wanted to know if this sound card would make a difference in sound quality compared to my onboard.

What level of quality are you after?
A. Top shelf, pure sound reproduction, no price too high.
B. Good overall sound card for some cool effects in gaming, some music, I'm on a budget.
C. Something cheapish so I can say I've got a dedicated sound card.

B haha .. I dont want anything too fancy or anything thats too crappy

 

[Smartazz]

I have the Fatal1ty edition sound card, it's very good, I can't tell the difference over my old Xtreme Music edition though.

 

[Operandi]

Logitech z4: Mid range speakers won't see much of a benefit form a dedicated sound card.

Get some better speakers and then come back and ask this question.

 

[teatime0315]

Originally posted by: Smartazz
I have the Fatal1ty edition sound card, it's very good, I can't tell the difference over my old Xtreme Music edition though.

What kind of speakers do you have if you don't mind answering.

 

[teatime0315]

Originally posted by: Operandi
Logitech z4: Mid range speakers won't see much of a benefit form a dedicated sound card.

Get some better speakers and then come back and ask this question.

really? .... I thought i would see at least SOME improvement over onboard sound.
EDIT: haha .. "see" i meant hear

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Smartazz
I have the Fatal1ty edition sound card, it's very good, I can't tell the difference over my old Xtreme Music edition though.

Because it's basically the same card without X-ram?

 

[Cogman]

Question, Why not just go with a sound blaster live card? like $20 and I really cant tell the difference between it and a High end sound card (What is really different? A sound card with RAM? thats useful)

 

[teatime0315]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Smartazz
I have the Fatal1ty edition sound card, it's very good, I can't tell the difference over my old Xtreme Music edition though.

Because it's basically the same card without X-ram?

Should I get the Xtreme Music Edition instead since its cheaper and is the the same card? Cause I don't really need the X-RAM. And i use the speakers for lossless music if that makes a difference.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: teatime0315

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Smartazz
I have the Fatal1ty edition sound card, it's very good, I can't tell the difference over my old Xtreme Music edition though.

Because it's basically the same card without X-ram?

Should I get the Xtreme Music Edition instead since its cheaper and is the the same card? Cause I don't really need the X-RAM. And i use the speakers for lossless music if that makes a difference.

For music, a Chaintech AV-710 for $25 would be a great card if you set it up right.

If you're going to upgrade your speakers eventually and get a surround set with gaming as a priority, then an XtremeMusic would be a good option. That or an XtremeGamer. You should be able to get something like that for $50 AR or so.

 

[teatime0315]

Thanks for the response YOyoYOhowsDAjello . I was wondering.. has anyone upgraded to a Z2300 from Z4's? Is there a Huge difference if both were paired with an Xfi soundcard?

 

[Mesix]

Any Envy24 soundcard!

Being anti-creative, I'm very pleased with my m-audio solution

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: teatime0315
Thanks for the response YOyoYOhowsDAjello . I was wondering.. has anyone upgraded to a Z2300 from Z4's? Is there a Huge difference if both were paired with an Xfi soundcard?

Here's more info on the Envy24 based Chaintech AV-710 along with some other options

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=364771

If you set the Chaintech up to use its rear DAC, you should be in very good shape for music.

If you really want the best sound quality, you might want to make a larger jump that just to another Logitech set.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: teatime0315

Originally posted by: Smartazz
I have the Fatal1ty edition sound card, it's very good, I can't tell the difference over my old Xtreme Music edition though.

What kind of speakers do you have if you don't mind answering.

I use Logitech Z5500's and Sennheiser HD595's for my headphones.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Smartazz
I have the Fatal1ty edition sound card, it's very good, I can't tell the difference over my old Xtreme Music edition though.

Because it's basically the same card without X-ram?

Yeah, I meant as far as performance goes I didn't notice a difference even playing Battlefield 2.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Smartazz

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Smartazz
I have the Fatal1ty edition sound card, it's very good, I can't tell the difference over my old Xtreme Music edition though.

Because it's basically the same card without X-ram?

Yeah, I meant as far as performance goes I didn't notice a difference even playing Battlefield 2.

gotcha

 

[teatime0315]

Seems like a lot of people do not like the Z4's. So I am getting the Z2300's, which sound card would you guys recommend me? I would like to use it for mainly music and some gaming with that "EAX" feature.