Good Sound Card?

What does everyone recommend for a good sound card? I really would like a Gametheatre XP, but I don't think I want to spend over $100 on it... I am using onboard sound now, so anything is better!! I really like the idea of the sound card having hardware based sound processing... LMK

Jason

 

[Atlantean]

From what I hear everyone say, and that is including the reviews that I have read, the hercules game theater xp is totally worth it. You should get it because it is probably the best sound card out there. I am going to get one with my computer later this summer. Or you could always go for the santa cruz, also a pretty good sound card

 

[madthumbs]

The Philips Acoustic Edge costs about $50 after rebate. Damn good card for the money! The other two are hella good too if you have the money.

 

[Tates]

Love my Acoustic Edge.

 

[Shudder]

If you really don't want to spend much at all, go for the Guillemont MUSE. it's about 30 bucks in retail stores. Better than onboard sound but minimal features that you won't miss the rest not being there.

If you just want a standard card with more channels for 6 speakers etc, and just a damn fine card, get the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz for 70 bucks.

 

thanks for the info guys... now I have to decide between the santa cruz and the acoustic edge

 

[00aStrOgUy00]

oh yeah...be sure to get speakers that cost more than your soundcard...would you rather prefer ADA890 speakers with onboard audio or FPS2000 speakers with Santa Cruz?

 

[whitelight]

go for the acoustic edge.

 

[ace31216]

I have the philips Acoustic Edge and I love it. I read it was more for gaming sound than music. The Santa Cruz turtle beach is also pretty nice card.

 

[pen^2]

go to mwave and order an open card of your choice. they are based on the same yamaha chip used in SC and run about $15-25

 

[Motero]

phillips acoustic edge.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

<< go to mwave and order an open card of your choice. they are based on the same yamaha chip used in SC and run about $15-25 >>

You mean Santa Cruz uses Yamaha chip? Are you joking? Or you want to mislead people?

 

[pen^2]

no, actually i was under that impression... went back and did a homework to find out SC uses crystal/cirus logic cs4630. my appologies

 

[Kingofcomputer]

nevermind.

 

[Salvador]

Is the Acoustic edge better than the SB Live?

Sal

 

[HardwareAddicted]

I need to know this too guys..

What is the BEST card out there... and WHY.

I have a SB live right now and it ok for all I do.

I like the 3D effects on games the best.

Is there a better card for this out there?

Thx, H-A

 

[madthumbs]

Everything that's made by Creative that I know of SUCKS! So the answer to the question, &quot;Is it better than SBLive&quot; The Acoustic Edge is a HELL OF A LOT BETTER!

 

[shiner]

Get the Santa Cruz....I'm a converted SB Live user and it blows that Creative piece of garbage away.

 

[Garet Jax]

I totally agree with Shinerburke. In fact, I have my SB live in a computer with absolutely no speakers (seriously).

 

[vash]

Another bump for the Philips Acoustic Edge. Good card, good drivers for Win2k, no complaints here. First thing I did when I installed the card was turn down the bass on my sub -- it outputted too much!

vash

 

[Taz4158]

<< Another bump for the Philips Acoustic Edge. Good card, good drivers for Win2k, no complaints here. First thing I did when I installed the card was turn down the bass on my sub -- it outputted too much!

vash >>


Having compared the AE to the SC I vastly preferred the more natural sound of the SC.

 

[madthumbs]

I can understand the TBSC being preferred to the AE. From the start it was said that the AE was better for gaming, and the TBSC for music, so it probably depends on your usage/ preference. All I know is they both blow away the SBL, and the AE does music good enough for me.

 

[technogeeky]

BE WARNED

I bought the Game Theater XP from Hercules (not from them... made by them)

I am overall disappointed with the card. Although sound quality is fairly good, support sucks and I'm having all kinds of SMP / Windows 2000 / game issues with Sensura (the thing that lets it do EAX and whatnot) which are driving me insane and crashing my computer.


Just be careful with this card. Go look at the hercules message board here and read about it for yourself.

 

[technogeeky]

<< I need to know this too guys..

What is the BEST card out there... and WHY.

I have a SB live right now and it ok for all I do.

I like the 3D effects on games the best.

Is there a better card for this out there?

Thx, H-A >>




I was at a LAN with a bunch of guys who heard my speakers... We decided to screw around with a set of speakres on a bunch of diff. cards.

Most of them were SB Live! products, my XP, and a Santa Cruz.

We all agreed that the XP had the best quality sound overall, but had some of the worst game sound effects. SB Live! was best for EAX (duh!) and Cruz was a good in-between.

The XP is *awesome* in sound quality.

 

[HardwareAddicted]

Thank you technogeeky

That is cool that you guys took the time to do this at a lan party....

This really helps me with my decision as most of my music is heard from my stereo...

Not my PC... but games.. well that is another story.

I might stay where I am at for now until I see a better reason to spend some $$$.

Thx for the update on this thread.

H-A