Help me pick out a sound card

[trOver]

Will be used primarily for music listening and gaming.
I will run analog into a 5.1 system, or optical/digital if availible (I need to look all this up again)

My choices:

HT OMEGA CLARO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16829271002

HT OMEGA STRIKER
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16829271001

CREATIVE SOUND BLASTER X-FI XTREMEGAMER FATAL1Y
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16829102005

AUZENTECH XPLOSION 7.1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16829156001

Price range is around 50-150

Any other recconmendations or things that I should be aware of?

 

[trOver]

No one has anything to say?.....

 

[PurdueRy]

If you are going analog you are wasting your money with the HT omega cards and the Xplosion. If you are into big time gaming, then either stick with the XFi or wait for the Auzentech Prelude. If gaming isn't such an issue then the Auzentech X-Meridian would be a good choice .

This is assuming you will hook up via analog. Let me know what you will be connecting to and that will vastly change the selections here.

 

[Ruger22C]

Go with the X-Fi. For two reasons, one it's a good card. Two, Creative said they will put out a fix on X-Fi cards to work in DX10.

 

[trOver]

The connections I will be using will vary a little. Sometimes I will be using my logitech surround sound, and that has the 3.5mm inputs (analog right?)

The other time i will be using optical out into my reciever and driving speakers from that. (most of the time)

Does this change anything?

Can optical out send surround sound signals though just 1 cable?

I would like to get a brand other than Creative just for personal preference.

 

[LongTimePCUser]

Just remember that Creative has had serious problems writing drivers and utilities for Windows Vista.

Look here: Creative Knowledgebase

Also here: Text
Where they say:"However, due to Microsoft's new Windows Vista? architecture, some features may be lost. "


At one point they had a white paper that I can't find now, that explained why the Vista driver architecture limited their ability to write drivers and utilities.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: trOver
The connections I will be using will vary a little. Sometimes I will be using my logitech surround sound, and that has the 3.5mm inputs (analog right?)

The other time i will be using optical out into my reciever and driving speakers from that. (most of the time)

Does this change anything?

Can optical out send surround sound signals though just 1 cable?

I would like to get a brand other than Creative just for personal preference.

How important is gaming? Would you die without EAX5? Are you a hardcore hax0r who pwns n00bs with headshots?

No actually I am quite serious...how important is the gaming aspects of the card to you?

 

[trOver]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: trOver
The connections I will be using will vary a little. Sometimes I will be using my logitech surround sound, and that has the 3.5mm inputs (analog right?)

The other time i will be using optical out into my reciever and driving speakers from that. (most of the time)

Does this change anything?

Can optical out send surround sound signals though just 1 cable?

I would like to get a brand other than Creative just for personal preference.

How important is gaming? Would you die without EAX5? Are you a hardcore hax0r who pwns n00bs with headshots?

No actually I am quite serious...how important is the gaming aspects of the card to you?

Actual sound quality is better than eax5 and other effects to me.

Music>Gaming

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: trOver

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: trOver
The connections I will be using will vary a little. Sometimes I will be using my logitech surround sound, and that has the 3.5mm inputs (analog right?)

The other time i will be using optical out into my reciever and driving speakers from that. (most of the time)

Does this change anything?

Can optical out send surround sound signals though just 1 cable?

I would like to get a brand other than Creative just for personal preference.

How important is gaming? Would you die without EAX5? Are you a hardcore hax0r who pwns n00bs with headshots?

No actually I am quite serious...how important is the gaming aspects of the card to you?

Actual sound quality is better than eax5 and other effects to me.

Music>Gaming

Then my immediate suggestion would be to get a X-Meridian from Auzentech. If that's overbudget, my next option would be to grab and X-Plosion and upgrade the OP-AMPS as I did.(PM on how to do this for free)

Let me know how you feel about those cards.

 

[trOver]

You would reccomend the X-meridan over a similar priced creative? Thats what i like to hear!

Price is fine, only thing is that in some of the reviews they say to wait for new Auzen X-Fi Prelude? supposidly this will support eax5.0 and other stuff? Is this accurate?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: trOver
You would reccomend the X-meridan over a similar priced creative? Thats what i like to hear!

Price is fine, only thing is that in some of the reviews they say to wait for new Auzen X-Fi Prelude? supposidly this will support eax5.0 and other stuff? Is this accurate?

It will support EAX5.0 due to the X-fi chipset. However, you will be relying on Creative for drivers again. It is also going to be more pricey...probably $200ish.

I enjoyed getting rid of my Audigy 2 ZS. I was tired of going through menu after menu just to change some simple settings. Plus I found the settings had to be just right in FFDshow to get DD to pass to my receiver through video files(not DVDs...those always worked).

If EAX5.0 isn't a big deal, then I would say go for the X-Meridian(if you need high analog sound quality). If you don't mind a little poorer analog sound quality but the same quality of digital out, the the X-Plosion and the HT omega Claro are top picks. The HT Omega Claro has a newer chipset(same as the Meridian) and also has the front panel audio connectors that the X-Plosion lacks(the Meridian has the front panel connectors). However, it is a good deal more expensive.

Basically, digital only(or don't care too much about analog sound quality)
HT Omega Claro
Auzentech X-Plosion(Upgrade Op Amps for better analog sound)

Both good Digital and analog sound quality and capabilities(if your computer speakers are good enough to deserve the better analog connections)
Auzentech X-Fi Prelude
Auzentech X-Plosion

 

[bamacre]

Isn't Vista pretty much putting an end to EAX?

 

[aCynic2]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Then my immediate suggestion would be to get a X-Meridian from Auzentech. If that's overbudget, my next option would be to grab and X-Plosion and upgrade the OP-AMPS as I did.(PM on how to do this for free)

That's what I got w/ logitech Z-5500s. The card is 7.1, the speakers are 5.1. Works well, but I am a bit overwhelmed trying to find the right sound. The predefined equalizer settings aren't the greatest (bass setting it muffled, rock sounds AM, soft-rock appears to be the best until I can create a setting I like). As far as gameplay, I'm playing oblivion, WCIII, IL-2 and it's fine. I'm getting enough immersion.

In the end, I think Z-5500s aren't the best speakers to really showcase the card's sound, but I still enjoy the music while surfing or researching.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: aCynic2

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Then my immediate suggestion would be to get a X-Meridian from Auzentech. If that's overbudget, my next option would be to grab and X-Plosion and upgrade the OP-AMPS as I did.(PM on how to do this for free)

That's what I got w/ logitech Z-5500s. The card is 7.1, the speakers are 5.1. Works well, but I am a bit overwhelmed trying to find the right sound. The predefined equalizer settings aren't the greatest (bass setting it muffled, rock sounds AM, soft-rock appears to be the best until I can create a setting I like). As far as gameplay, I'm playing oblivion, WCIII, IL-2 and it's fine. I'm getting enough immersion.

In the end, I think Z-5500s aren't the best speakers to really showcase the card's sound, but I still enjoy the music while surfing or researching.

How are you connected to the Z-5500's? This is most likely the results of poor speakers coupled with poor positioning and room acoustics(no offense, its just the nature of audio)

Also in what mode are you playing music? (DDL, DTS interactive, 44.1Khz PCM...etc)

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: bamacre
Isn't Vista pretty much putting an end to EAX?

while I haven't paid TOO much attention to all this talk(because I am not interested in vista yet)I believe its just EAX can't be done through directsound and now needs to be done through openAL

 

[aCynic2]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

How are you connected to the Z-5500's? This is most likely the results of poor speakers coupled with poor positioning and room acoustics(no offense, its just the nature of audio)

Also in what mode are you playing music? (DDL, DTS interactive, 44.1Khz PCM...etc)

The speakers are connected to the card via rca jacks.

Admittedly, I have the speakers all placed in front of me on my desk (to place the backs more to the side or rear would put a wire in a traffic path). The room is very rectangular with the speakers at one extreme.

I switch between 96 and 192Mhz, I generally find the fullest sound w/o any dolby but I'm still working with this.

This system is 2 weeks old and I'm still settling in (I'm opening it up this weekend to lap the CPU and heatsink, add a floppy and do more cable management on it), both on configuration of sw and placement, so I'm still trying to find that best sound.

One of the the things I'm trying to eliminate, at least what comes off the output itself, is the echo. I don't want it to sound like I'm in an auditorium or arena.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: aCynic2

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

How are you connected to the Z-5500's? This is most likely the results of poor speakers coupled with poor positioning and room acoustics(no offense, its just the nature of audio)

Also in what mode are you playing music? (DDL, DTS interactive, 44.1Khz PCM...etc)

The speakers are connected to the card via rca jacks.

Admittedly, I have the speakers all placed in front of me on my desk (to place the backs more to the side or rear would put a wire in a traffic path). The room is very rectangular with the speakers at one extreme.

I switch between 96 and 192Mhz, I generally find the fullest sound w/o any dolby but I'm still working with this.

This system is 2 weeks old and I'm still settling in (I'm opening it up this weekend to lap the CPU and heatsink, add a floppy and do more cable management on it), so I'm still trying to find that best sound.

One of the the things I'm trying to eliminate, at least what comes off the output itself, is the echo. I don't want it to sound like I'm in an auditorium or arena.

Echo? Do you have one of the effect modes on? There should be no echo whatsoever. You may want to try digitally connecting to your Z-5500's. That's the strength of the X-Plosion. The DAC's in the Z-5500's might be equal or better to that in the X-Plosion. At least this way you can guarantee a perfectly "flat" signal going to your speakers.

Also, use 44.1 or 48 KHz sampling. It makes no sense to sample the media you are using that fast.

 

[aCynic2]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Echo? Do you have one of the effect modes on?

That effect is accomplished by two methods, both on the same tab. One, where you select the auditorium or arena sound effect, but below that, you can select the room size. That will also create an echo effect.

I tend to have the effects on padded cell and small room.

I'll try that with setting frequency lower. I probaby am sabotaging my experience by exceeding the parameters of the mp4.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: aCynic2

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Echo? Do you have one of the effect modes on?

That effect is accomplished by two methods, both on the same tab. One, where you select the auditorium or arena sound effect, but below that, you can select the room size. That will also create an echo effect.

I tend to have the effects on padded cell and small room.

I'll try that with setting frequency lower. I probaby am sabotaging my experience by exceeding the parameters of the mp4.

Unclick "more option" You do not want any of those DSP modes on, they will only screw with your sound further. Make sure none on the left are selected(colored blue) and more option is also not selected.

As for the room size, I really haven't heard it cause any difference but this could be due to being connected via digital. However, I would set it to small

 

[trOver]

I think the X-meridian is my best bet. Any other stuff I should be aware of? Does the Y 3.5mm to rca cable matter much? Can i use el-cheapo cables from radioshack? Or do I have to get monster...

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: trOver
I think the X-meridian is my best bet. Any other stuff I should be aware of? Does the Y 3.5mm to rca cable matter much? Can i use el-cheapo cables from radioshack? Or do I have to get monster...

I am confused. Why are you getting a Y cable? I was under the impression you would be connecting to a receiver digitally and to Logitech speakers via analog. Do you not have the analog cables for the Logitechs or am I missing something?

 

[trOver]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: trOver
I think the X-meridian is my best bet. Any other stuff I should be aware of? Does the Y 3.5mm to rca cable matter much? Can i use el-cheapo cables from radioshack? Or do I have to get monster...

I am confused. Why are you getting a Y cable? I was under the impression you would be connecting to a receiver digitally and to Logitech speakers via analog. Do you not have the analog cables for the Logitechs or am I missing something?

Sorry for the confusion, I realize now I didnt know what i was talking about.

You are correct. The logitech has the analog 3.5mm cables, and I will be running either digital or optical into the receiver. (Or Y cables, see below)

What is better? analog or digital/optical? What about just between digital and optical?

In the past I have just run "digital" through one side of a red/white RCA cable. Was this wrong aswell?

Does quality of the cable (any cable) matter much for sound quality?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: trOver

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: trOver
I think the X-meridian is my best bet. Any other stuff I should be aware of? Does the Y 3.5mm to rca cable matter much? Can i use el-cheapo cables from radioshack? Or do I have to get monster...

I am confused. Why are you getting a Y cable? I was under the impression you would be connecting to a receiver digitally and to Logitech speakers via analog. Do you not have the analog cables for the Logitechs or am I missing something?

Sorry for the confusion, I realize now I didnt know what i was talking about.

You are correct. The logitech has the analog 3.5mm cables, and I will be running either digital or optical into the receiver. (Or Y cables, see below)

What is better? analog or digital/optical? What about just between digital and optical?

In the past I have just run "digital" through one side of a red/white RCA cable. Was this wrong aswell?

Does quality of the cable (any cable) matter much for sound quality?

I think by "Y" cables you are meaning composite video or analog A/V cables.

To your receiver, digital coax/optical would likely be the best option. It's easy to run and the meridian supports DDL and DTS interactive. This allows for surround sound from games.

Between digital coax and optical there isn't much difference. Some people prefer digital coax for its robust connections, others prefer optical because it cannot be affected by EMI.

However, both are just as good as one another, I would say, for a long run I would favor optical, shorter runs it really doesn't matter. Pick whichever is cheaper.

Using a analog audio cable is "wrong" per se. It isn't always ideal as most digital coax connections use 75ohm cables. However, this does mean you can use a composite video cable(yellow) as a digital coax cable with no worries.

With a digital connection, the sound quality isn't generally affected by the cable. You don't need massive layers of shielding or anything. As long as the cable isn't broken, it should work fine.

 

[aCynic2]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
To your receiver, digital coax/optical would likely be the best option. It's easy to run and the meridian supports DDL and DTS interactive. This allows for surround sound from games.

I know the Meridian, at least mine, came with an optical cable, but I haven't used it yet. I went with the analog for now since I still haven't fully established my machine on a permanent basis.

And thanks Purdue. I dropped the frequency to 44.1K, made the room size option medium and turned off the effects options and it sounds more like what I want. I still need to work on an equalizer setting that sounds right for me, but the soft-rock is working well enough for now.

 

[Puffnstuff]

If you think that you want a creative x-fi then you need to go over to the creative forum and read the vista thread. I pulled my x-fi fatal1ty out of my system because creative drivers/software suck and there really isn't any vista support beyond basic sound as in 2 channel stereo. All of the features that made the x-fi so fabulous in xp do not exist in vista although creative would like for you to believe that they do. Just go to creatives website and look at the advertisement for the x-fi. They make it sound as if all of the features are enabled in vista and that is just not true. Many people like myself are pissed off at creative for the lack of support in vista and then they announce that when the drivers do become available that we'll have to pay creative for them to mail a cd to us. What a crock of sheet. The creative forum is full of pissed off people. If you want to join us then by all means by a creative card and understand first hand what the fuss is about. Otherwise go buy a good card like the x-meridian or claro+ that actually works in vista.