Terratec Aureon 7.1 Universe?

[imported_mckrautski]

I'm really just starting to learn about doing audio recording and to be frank I don't have a clue what I'm doing. Eventually I'm interested in playing around with voice recording and composing on my PC and I was wondering if this card is any good: Terratec Aureon 7.1 Universe.

I like the fact that the connector thingamabobber can be mounted in a drive bay (I have enough external equipment thank you very much), and its in the price range I'm looking at ($200ish). I can't find too much info about it though. How does it compare to cards like an Audigy4 or the M-Audio ones.

Ideally I'd like ONE card that is good at both games and recording....with a slight edge to the recording side if I have to pick one or the other. I know they're two totally separate disciplines and no card is probably gonna be the best at both.

 

[Zap Brannigan]

This is where it's at.

 

[imported_mckrautski]

Thanks Zap. I looked that card up and read some really good things about it.

Do you know if the Optical I/O on the Universe gets me anything in terms of recording quality? The Pordigy only has Coax. Also, does the Prodigy have Midi in/out? That's something I'll probably eventually want to play with.

 

[Zap Brannigan]

There is no MIDI out on the Prodiigy.

I don't know enough about the Universe to answer your other question.

 

[CSMR]

Why do you want a 7 channel card?

 

[CSMR]

The Audigy 4 Pro has DACs equivalent to the E-MU 0404m. Not sure about the basic Audigy 4. I don't know if its ADCs are as good.

 

[Zap Brannigan]

Originally posted by: CSMR
Why do you want a 7 channel card?

I have a 2.1 setup. It's not the the 7.1 channels I was after. It was the top notch quality.

The Audiotrak Prodigy 7.1 uses a Wolfson chip. The card as a whole is top notch for music as well as games.

I have had many soundcards; none of them to my ears compare to the Prodigy.

My speakers are the Cambridge Soundworks MC-300's hooked into a Megaworks THX 550 subwoofer. There is no way in hell I would settle for less than Prodigy.

As far as the EMU 0404 and the 1212 they each from what I have read sound like half a soundcard. Both lacking what the other has.

I don't feel the need to spend $1000 on a sound card when my ears are completely satisfied with the setup I have now. I enjoy all kinds of music and I also like to game.

The Prodigy fits my wants perfectly.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Here's a nice thread with some more info on the Prodigy as well as a comparison to other VIA envy based cards AVSforum goodness

I was just looking for something with nice digital out so I went with the $25 chaintech card.