Having 2 sound cards at the same time?

[fustercluck]

I got an Audigy 2 ZS, but i don't think (and many would agree) it's too good for music. Would it be a pain in the arse to have two soundcards installed at once?...Is it even possible?

I was thinking about getting an EMU 0404 for music and keeping my ZS for games, not sure it'd be worth it or not, probably not

 

[ShadowBlade]

its not possible to run 2 sound cards at once

 

[yhelothar]

ShadowBlade is obviously misinformed here.
I'm currently running two soundcards now. Most music applications allow you to choose the sound device. You can always switch your primary sound device in control panel anyways.
I think you should get a headphone amp instead of a new soundcard.
Much more dramatic change.

 

[Mrvile]

Maximum PC had a dual Audigy2 ZS in SLI mode once, using the Asus motherboard and card connector. Turned out, well, fun to look at.

 

[fustercluck]

I got a headphone amp actually but i still can't get much out of my ZS, or maybe out of my HD-555s, i'm not sure which.

 

[leedog2007]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
Maximum PC had a dual Audigy2 ZS in SLI mode once, using the Asus motherboard and card connector. Turned out, well, fun to look at.

Found that really funny. Love that magazine too.

 

[cyberknight]

I have my Audigy2 along with my onboard audio which is used from my front connectors of my Antec Sonata. As mentioned, it depends on the program. I know when I use Skype, I can get the option of which sound device I want my sound to come in/out of. I usually plug my headset into my front audio connectors so I can talk to a person without them blasting out of my 5.1 speakers which my music is already doing.

 

[CKTurbo128]

Originally posted by: ShadowBlade
its not possible to run 2 sound cards at once

Dead wrong. You CAN have two sound cards installed in the same PC at once. There are quite of people over at Head-fi.org that have two sound cards installed in their system, usually an Audigy 2 for gaming and an EMU 0404 for music listening.

 

[Baked]

Those people on head-fi are abnormal. But yes, you can have 2 sound cards installed on the same computer, even from the same manufacturer, been doing it since the SB 16, SB 64 AWE days running Win95. Currently running Chaintech AV-710 and E-MU 0404, which makes me abnormal... God damn it.

 

[CKTurbo128]

Originally posted by: Baked
Those people on head-fi are abnormal. But yes, you can have 2 sound cards installed on the same computer, even from the same manufacturer, been doing it since the SB 16, SB 64 AWE days running Win95. Currently running Chaintech AV-710 and E-MU 0404, which makes me abnormal... God damn it.

Nah, it makes you "enlightened," as you can listen to music as they really should sound, unlike the Audigy's "resampled" sound, which at best, sounds average.

 

[Chaotic42]

I have onboard AC97 and a TBSC in my system, both on. I used the onboard for my microphone.

 

[thirdlegstump]

I used to run 3 sound devices in my sound system not including my midi interface.
Had 2 M-Audio Delta 1010's running WDM or ASIO drivers (depending on application) as well as the built in audio of my mobos.
I am going to be upgrading very soon to the RME/Steinberg Multiface/Multiset and get external DA converters that will connect to the RME's ADAT interface via litepipe. 36 I/Os baby!

 

[Slaimus]

As long as they are not 2 creative cards, you should have no problem.