A3D vs. SoundBlaster Value

[GottaVoodoo2]

I'm contemplating replacing my TurtleBeach A3dXStream soundcard, but I want to do it for under $100.

Best option I can see is the SoundBlaster Live Value at $99.

Is it worth it? Should I wait for SoundBlaster to cut price again on the true SoundBlaster Live or should I just cough up another $45 to $50?

 

[Terp]

I got my X-Gamer for under $70.00 @ buy.com, so keep an eye out for the $10.00 or $20.00 off $50.00 coupons if you are interested in purchasing one...I went from an old Yamaha XG-Gaming board (which sucked) and a set of Altec Lansing Powercubes to an X-gamer and a set of Cambridge Soundworks 5.1 DTT2500's...Holy Sh*t! =)

 

[Maximus1]

Terp is right on the money...
Definitely go for one of the Live cards. I just purchased my X-Gamer for around $70 as well and connected to my Cambridge FPS2000 digital speakers and it really rocks. I just don't think it makes sense to buy a new sound card these days that isn't of the SBLive series.

 

[SUOrangeman]

Many will proclaim that A3D is a better technology, but it won't get any better because Aureal has gone under. So, most folks are jumping ship to Creative. But, for the time being

-SUO

 

[Wizkid]

The Live! is an awesome card
Don't waste the money on the full live, if you need digital out go here: http://www.hoontech.com

 

[utopia]

Aureals A3D is way better then Creatives AUX/EUX/whatever, but now with Aureal gone, SB is the way to go

 

[duragezic]

GottaVoodoo2: SB Live! Value for $99? That is a lot! I don't remember how much I got my Live! Value for but it was around $55 and that was about 7 months ago so I'm sure you could get the Value for close to $40. I would recommend the Live! (Value version if you don't need the extra features) because it is a good compatible card and also because Aureal went under like SUOrangeMan said.

eagle

 

[Stosh]

Another vote for SBLive Value, I think I paid $59 late last year. They are really cheap now. I also hooked them up to FPS2000. Just awesome for gaming or music.

Check this link for prices! http://computers.cnet.com/hardware/0,10231,0-7073-311-128447,00.html?tag=st.co.7073_402.txt.lp

 

[JPT]

I just received mine (value) a few minutes ago and I paid around $40... I had a MX300 (diamond with Vortex2 chip) and although it is a great card, the drivers gave me some headaches, and now with Aureal jump out of the game... In the long run, you might be better off with the SB.

 

[Piano Man]

The A3D Xstream is a great card. Tbeach is known for thier great DACs. The Xstream has an 18 bit DAC, which is a noticable sound quality improvement IF you have the speakers to back it up. Yes Aureal is out of business, but the current generation is widely supported so I wouldn't worry about compatibility. However, it looks like the next generation of sound cards is going to be dominated by Creative(Unless Yamaha decides to get serious).

 

[AMDJunkie]

I would keep your current sound card and spend the dough on a better set of speakers. Most prefer an Vortex 2 over a Live!

 

[HannibalX]

Well if you no matter if you think A3D is better or EAX is better (becuase it's just an opinion, some people like one better, others the latter) Aureal isn't coming back for a long while I think, and drive developmnt will prolly cease, on the other hand CL is a billion dollar company, their not going anywhere.