Hercules Fortissimo III 7.1 or Turtle Beach Santa Cruz?

[manchesterriots]

I am going to buy a new sound card in the near future. As of right now, it is either going to be the Hercules Fortissimo III 7.1 or the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz. My question is simple. Which one is better? I would like my new card to not require me to run some useless application in the system tray at all times for all the features to be active and I would also like to experience minimal amounts of line noise and hum especially between my new card and my existing TV Tuner.

So, which card is better?

 

[Brian48]

I'd opt for the SC. Got rid of my Fortissimo a long time ago.

 

[Goi]

The Santa Cruz is using a better DSP from the the same manufacturer(Crystal Semiconductors) than the Fortissimo III 7.1, but the latter is able to do 7.1 via its drivers or something. If you need 7.1, the choice is clear, otherwise, go for the TBSC.

 

[bgeh]

i'd go with the TBSC

 

[Derango]

I'd say go with the Santa Cruz....unless you're going to be using the mic. The only problem I experienced with this card is bad quality recording from the mic input. In voice communctions in games, it sounds like someone's blowing into the mic everytime you try to talk...My friend has the same problem.

I switched to a GTXP and it went away. The Santa Cruz is a very nice card otherwise though.

 

[Goi]

Funny, I have no such problem with the mic input.

 

[specktre]

i have the SC and i would rather have gotten a fortismo. also the input and output 1/8" ports are very fragile ive had to resoulder a couple of them already. go with the fortismo the SC is out of date anyway

 

[Derango]

Originally posted by: Goi
Funny, I have no such problem with the mic input.

Yea, I didn't at first either

My friend had it since day one though....Like I said, great card though.

 

[jm0ris0n]

Ok, to add to this topic a little:

My roomate just bought himself the creative Inspire 6600 6.1 speaker set (please don't critique his purchase). Now I am pretty sure a hercules FIII 7.1 would be a good match, as a cheaper alternative to audigy, but any input is much appreciated. (I have a TBSC myself).