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Go With Audigy 2 ZS or ZS Platinum?

A

AmberClad

Diamond Member
Hey guys, I want to buy a Audigy 2 ZS at some point, wanted to know if it was worth it to pay extra for the Platinum. As far as I know, the cards themselves are identical, but the Gamer and Platinum have extra things bundled (correct me if I'm wrong).

The price for a retail Platinum is $91 right now, but that's after rebates, which I'm usually a little wary about. The regular, OEM is about $65.

Now, I see that the Platinum comes with a front panel, among other things. Does anyone know if that panel goes into the same case slot as optical drives? I only have two of those on the case, so if that's the case, I probably won't go with the Platinum and just get the regular.
 
The way I understand it, the Platinum has advanced recording capability. Besides the break-out box that's the only difference between the two.
 
Unless you need something one the panel, then don't waste money on the platinum. (yeah, fits in a normal 5.25" bay afaik)

There's a gamer deal in the hot deals forum right now, don't know if it's still going or not.

Is there a reason you want the ZS over the regular A2?
 
Many people get the regular Audigy2 ZS and are disappointed when they find out that they cannot hook up the audio connectors on their case front (head phone and microphone) to the card.
I also have one of those. Every time I want to connect a microphone, i have to connect it to the back of the case even though my case has a microphone jack in front.

This is a mod that attempt to fix the problem. But, according to the author, the speakers do not mute when the head phones are plugged in!
http://audigy2zshowto.blogspot.com/
 
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Is there a reason you want the ZS over the regular A2?
Click to expand...

The vanilla Audigy 2 isn't the same as the ZS line ones. Plus not as many stores sell it anymore, so it's hard to find a good deal on it.
 
Originally posted by: Navid
Many people get the regular Audigy2 ZS and are disappointed when they find out that they cannot hook up the audio connectors on their case front (head phone and microphone) to the card.
http://audigy2zshowto.blogspot.com/
Click to expand...

I have a case with front headphone connectors too, but from reading around, it is possible to connect it to the Audigy 2 ZS, at least with the newer ones, to my particular case. My speakers have a headphone jack, so you can daisy chain the headphones to the speakers instead of directly to the computer and the sound output from the speakers will shut off automatically. Hopefully the non-muting problem doesn't occur...

 
ZS > Non ZS.

The ZS has stereo surrond.

It allows you to listen to music in 5.1 Stereo format.

The regular Audigy 2 uses CMSS which is complete garbage.
 
i know you might have thought of this or decided you didnt want it... but why not wait for creatives new card the x-fi?

and if your not interested in that

the if you do need the ports on the drive bay but dont have drive bays you can get the platnium pro... that has a breakout box that you can set on your desk or something and has a microphone port.

i have an audigy 4 pro and i use the fiberoptic port on the breakout box, the microphone port, and the freaking amazing remote control.
 
Originally posted by: lambchops3344
i know you might have thought of this or decided you didnt want it... but why not wait for creatives new card the x-fi?

and if your not interested in that

the if you do need the ports on the drive bay but dont have drive bays you can get the platnium pro... that has a breakout box that you can set on your desk or something and has a microphone port.

i have an audigy 4 pro and i use the fiberoptic port on the breakout box, the microphone port, and the freaking amazing remote control.
Click to expand...

Are you using the analog outs too?
 
I love the break out box... when you plug in your head phones it automatically cuts the feed to your speakers... you can use the remote control, front inputs... and outputs... and if you do high end audio stuff it its nice and convient to plug in (i don't do high end audio.. but the other features are MORE than enough reason for me)
GO PLAT
 
yes i have the analogs plugged in too... the only reason i use those is for 5.1 games like css.... becuase if i use optical i dont get true 5.1... i have the z5500 so its easy to change from analog to digital

but dont forget crimson this person doesnt want to take up a drive bay
 
Originally posted by: lambchops3344
yes i have the analogs plugged in too... the only reason i use those is for 5.1 games like css.... becuase if i use optical i dont get true 5.1... i have the z5500 so its easy to change from analog to digital

but dont forget crimson this person doesnt want to take up a drive bay
Click to expand...

Ok, I was worried you were only using digital out and basically using the card in a way that wouldn't give you any benefits over a $30 soundcard.
 
yeah because the speakers decode the dts on movies and stuff and play straight through the sound card...

but isnt digital sound also being created from the card? like when playing mp3s when using the fiberoptic port and dolbey surround on the speakers? i hear a definate diffrence when i switch from analog to digital...
 
Originally posted by: lambchops3344
yeah because the speakers decode the dts on movies and stuff and play straight through the sound card...

but isnt digital sound also being created from the card? like when playing mp3s when using the fiberoptic port and dolbey surround on the speakers? i hear a definate diffrence when i switch from analog to digital...
Click to expand...

Are you asking if the card is doing anything special to the digital sound?

I don't think it is. I think it's just giving your speakers a pcm stereo signal and they're doing Dolby ProLogic on it (unless I'm not understanding what you mean)...

I just mean to say that you don't need an expensive card if you're just using the digital output.
 
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Originally posted by: lambchops3344
yeah because the speakers decode the dts on movies and stuff and play straight through the sound card...

but isnt digital sound also being created from the card? like when playing mp3s when using the fiberoptic port and dolbey surround on the speakers? i hear a definate diffrence when i switch from analog to digital...
Click to expand...

Are you asking if the card is doing anything special to the digital sound?

I don't think it is. I think it's just giving your speakers a pcm stereo signal and they're doing Dolby ProLogic on it (unless I'm not understanding what you mean)...

I just mean to say that you don't need an expensive card if you're just using the digital output.
Click to expand...

I'd say the optical out is extraordinary when you have a home theater system with Sony Xplod subs - it's like the optical sound from a very nice DVD player...
*hot stuff* -the Audigy 4 Pro. X-fi should be something terribly sweet~
 
Wait a second...this headphone issue is starting to worry me. Is it only with the ZS line, or do all Audigy cards prevent you from using front port headphones?
 
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I know it's not the same card... I'm asking why why you want the zs.
Click to expand...

It's my understanding that the vanilla/Value is inferior to the ZS and that it would barely be an improvement over the onboard. There is also no firewire port.

 
Originally posted by: Valkerie
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Originally posted by: lambchops3344
yeah because the speakers decode the dts on movies and stuff and play straight through the sound card...

but isnt digital sound also being created from the card? like when playing mp3s when using the fiberoptic port and dolbey surround on the speakers? i hear a definate diffrence when i switch from analog to digital...
Click to expand...

Are you asking if the card is doing anything special to the digital sound?

I don't think it is. I think it's just giving your speakers a pcm stereo signal and they're doing Dolby ProLogic on it (unless I'm not understanding what you mean)...

I just mean to say that you don't need an expensive card if you're just using the digital output.
Click to expand...

I'd say the optical out is extraordinary when you have a home theater system with Sony Xplod subs - it's like the optical sound from a very nice DVD player...
*hot stuff* -the Audigy 4 Pro. X-fi should be something terribly sweet~
Click to expand...

Ok, but you can get a card with optical out for $30 is my point, not that digital isn't a good way to transmit an audio signal.

Digital out is good with SVS subs too...

My point is that if you are buying a $275 soundcard to do digital out only, that's a waste.
 
Originally posted by: AmberClad
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I know it's not the same card... I'm asking why why you want the zs.
Click to expand...

It's my understanding that the vanilla/Value is inferior to the ZS and that it would barely be an improvement over the onboard. There is also no firewire port.
Click to expand...

It's my understanding that it would be very hard to tell the difference between an Audigy2 value and an Audigy2 zs unless you had incredible speakers. The specs are very similar between the cards, and I think they're very close to the same thing.

Both would be a good improvement over onboard.

If you need a firewire port and that's why you're buying a zs, then go for it.
 
The platinum pro is an alternative, if you can afford it. This version is the same as the regular platinum only it has an external box. The external box has even more plugs than the regular platinum and it will not take up a 5.25" drive bay.
 
The platinum pro is an alternative, if you can afford it. This version is the same as the regular platinum only it has an external box. The external box has even more plugs than the regular platinum and it will not take up a 5.25" drive bay.
Click to expand...

dont get me wrong... but didnt i JUST say this.... page 1...
 
Originally posted by: lambchops3344
The platinum pro is an alternative, if you can afford it. This version is the same as the regular platinum only it has an external box. The external box has even more plugs than the regular platinum and it will not take up a 5.25" drive bay.
Click to expand...

dont get me wrong... but didnt i JUST say this.... page 1...
Click to expand...

Just a little note for you: the page numbers are dependant on user settings. This whole thread is page 1 for me.

Oh, and yes, you did say that earlier 🙂
 
Originally posted by: g33k
The platinum pro is an alternative, if you can afford it. This version is the same as the regular platinum only it has an external box. The external box has even more plugs than the regular platinum and it will not take up a 5.25" drive bay.
Click to expand...

Mmm, after thinking about it, I may not need either the Platinum or the Platinum Pro. I'm going to be using the Audigy mainly for gaming/music/movies, not for really intense audio work. I don't really need the bundled games.
 
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