What soundcards work in Linux?

[Soccerman]

I guess I'd have to give you the version of my kernel in order for me to get automatic support right? it's 2.4.8 which is what came with Mandrake 8.1.

I'm trying to make sure that I don't get a soundcard that doesn't work in Linux like my Vortex 2 (ok, it works in tuxracer for some reason).

so basically I'm not going for a Creative Labs soundcard cause they killed Aureal and I don't like them as a company anyway.

so basically my only alternative that's readily available to me (I can buy it in a nearby store) is the Hercules GTXP. if I could get a santa cruz I would because I hear that it works in Linux, and I'm also wondering about the Acoustic Edge.. can anyone give me any info on the GTXP, Santa Cruz, or Acoustic Edge about linux support?

 

[Chaotic42]

I have a Santa Cruz. I'm listening to Coolio on it now. It's native as of the 2.4 kernels, IIRC. I have 2.4.18 now.
Many on board chipsets work as well

 

[Tiger]

Too bad on the Creative thing. Most all of their models are supported right out of the box.
I've got an SBLive that seems to work better under Linux than Win2K.

 

[BlackOmen]

Since you don't like creative, the kernel drivers include a bunch of ess support, some turtle beach support, via 686 sound, gus, wss, pas, and opti/ad based cards.

Check out the ALSA page for even more support.

 

[Sunner]

My Santa Cruz works just fine, though the driver is called "Cirrus Logic Crystal" something.

 

[SUOrangeman]

The "Cirrus Logic" reference is to the chip use on the Santa Cruz and similar (Hercules, Philips) cards.

-SUO

 

[Soccerman]

Well I know the hercules GTXP has the same chip as the Santa Cruz, so I could try that and hope for the best. As for the Acoustic Edge I think it actually has a chip made by Philips onboard.

 

[Soccerman]

anyone else? I know this isn't all that important to you but I don't want to go back to onboard sound.

anywho I guess my question is basically this: does the Hercules GTXP work in Linux? I still can't find the Santa Cruz in ANY Canadian stores, which slightly ticks me off, becuase it's as if Creative has a monopoly up here or something.

 

[dblevitan]

Your best bet for finding information is the hercules forums. I have the GTXP, although I don't use it with linux (I need some windows software that won't run under wine). The GTXP is based on a (from what I know) pretty well-supported chip, same as the santa cruz. From that respect, it works well. The problem is that the GTXP has the breakout box (which is really nice). The breakout box is not just a set of connectors - it includes an amp as well, which screws up the support. From what I've read in the forums, your best bet would be to get the latest kernel, the latest alsa drivers and the latest oss drivers (well, I guess those are included with the kernel). From what I've seen, you might get front channel out, headphone out, and maybe some inputs, but all of those are not guaranteed. You can try, but you definitely need to upgrade to mandrake 8.2, and possibly a custom kernel. The GTXP card is one of those cars that will get better with every day. Using it under linux is a gamble, and unless you know your way around linux, I suggest you don't try.

And I forgot to add, 3D support will almost definitely not work, and you might get S/PDIF in and/or out. Again, this is just stuff I've seen on the hercules forums - I haven't tried installing linux on the computer with a GTXP.