Chaintech av-710

[drsafety]

I am trying to decide between a Chaintech av-710 and something more expensive such as an x-fi extreme music, or audigy 2 value. I have heard that the av-710 is good for music but not as good for games. Games and music are both important to me. I have Z-5300 speakers. What would be a good sound card to buy for under $125?

 

[love2skate824]

Well now that X-Fi is out im guessing (and hoping) that audigy 2 cards will drop in price. those should become the best value. If you dont want to wait for price drops, the audigy 2 zs gamer edition is only $109

 

[Excelsior]

If games are important to you, then just pick up an audigy 2 value edition, so then you support eax.

 

[Malladine]

Santa Cruz makes great sound cards mate - look into those too.

 

[Bona Fide]

Audigy2 ZS for $60

I would go with that^ card.

 

[imported_Reck]

audigy 2 doesn't sound too hot so i wouldn't consider one if you are serious about sq. i don't think the xtrememusic has xram though does it? should sound a bit better than the audigy 2 though.

 

[drsafety]

yeah i'm thinking about the x-fi extreme music. It's just a little expensive.

 

[CraigRT]

Not interested in the AV-710 eh?

 

[Stretchman]

Actually, to be honest, I had never heard of it up until now. Sounds like its worth looking into though, especially b/c i'll be building a 'value system' myself pretty soon, and won't be looking at the more expensive add-in brands.

Is Turtle Beach still going strong too? I haven't heard much from them since the Santa Cruz.

 

[Malladine]

Using a turtle beach in my system and in my wife's - both chugging away happily, so to speak

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Info on the chaintech and other via envy based cards

I liked mine a lot while I had it.

It's a great card for 2 channel music, but not so great for gaming. If you have a 5.1 5300 set and intend to use them all for playing music and not just the front two and sub, then you should probably look elsewhere.

If gaming is important to you, check out the A2 zs for $43 after rebate.

As a "crazy" alternative you could get a Chaintech card and an A2 card. Use the Chaintech for music and the A2 for gaming. You'd need to get a couple extension cables to switch between the two outputs of the cards to your speakers though.

I think the A2 zs would be a good choice for you for music too though if you want to do surround music.