which is best: Audigy Gamer or Turltle Beach SantaCruz

[xpdude]

I have purchased both the Audigy Gamer and Turtle Beach Santa Cruz sound cards. I am installing one in my new rig and installing one in my old pc that I am giving to my Brother. . I will be using my machine for gaming, dvd/cd playback, and midi music creation/playback. Which one is best for me?? PLEASE HELP!!

 

[justinstraub]

I reccomend the Santa Cruz. I have one and I think it sounds the same if not better than the Audigy. With the Audigy you get pops and other unecessary noises due to drivers. I have had none of that with the Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is cheaper too.
I just have logitech 4.1 surrounds and everything including music, dvd, and games sound excellent.

justin

 

[Noriaki]

I chose the Santa Cruz myself.

The headphone jack is great which you don't get with the Audigy (unless you are blowing money out your ass for the platinum).

I think the 3D positioning is as good as the Audigy, and the sound quality is at least as good if not better.

And it's cheaper.

The TBSC is the best soundcard out there IMO (in the regular consumer market of course), unless you really need all the input connectors...the only one that can give it a run for it's money is the Accoustic Edge. The AE is nice to because it has SPDIF input and output without need for a Drive Bay Breakout Box. The Audigy Platinum is really only good if you want to waste the $$$ or really need all the connections.

 

[Bovinicus]

If you use your system more for gaming than for music playback/creation then go with the Audigy. The positional audio on the Audigy is supposed to be some of the best out there. However, the Santa Cruz is supposed to have some awesome driver support as well as top-notch fidelity when it comes to playing music. Which features you need more are up to you.

 

[xpdude]

Thanks Dudes! I'm leaning toward using the Santa Cruz now. Reviews I have read favor the SC for music fidelity and range, however the Audigy does have more for gaming environment.....and a firewire port, which I could live without. I do want the best for MIDI reproduction and best sample/wavetable sound. I did pay more for the Audigy, but I will put it in the PC I'm giving to my Brother if it's not the best sounding, especially for music.
Mike