looking to get a new sound card

[Risc91]

Just wonderin if you guys could give me some input as to what sound card i should go with. I'm leaning towards a SB Audigy series, but have heard that SB cards are "noisy" and have noticed a bit myself. If you could point in the direction of a good Dolby Digital 5.1 card that would be great. Thanks guys!

 

[sandorski]

Hercules GTXP, Santa Cruz TB, Phillips AE, SB Audigy. Those are the current top cards, each having their own pros/cons. Phillips AE=best for movies, great for music, not as good for gaming; Hercules GTXP=has 6.1 support and is great for gaming, music, movies, and has a breakout box which includes a USB Hub; SC TB=5.1 sound, similar qualities to the Hercules GTXP, but without the breakout box; SB Audigy=5.1 sound, great all around card with a promising technology(EAX HD), CL has a dodgy reputation concerning drivers though(my Audigy has a bug where the volume is always set to full upon reboot).

 

[Paulson]

I got the audigy myself and don't get what you mean by it being "noisy"

I just got the platinum model myself, and love it. Awesome sound quality, plus a bunch of other goodies that make the sound superb.

 

[Mem]

Using SB Audigy here as well connected to my HI-FI amp the sound is great,noisey wise I presume you mean hiss? anyway with the SB Audigy I can`t hear it through my speakers compared to my old SB Live.Drivers installed fine with no problems and work ok in gaming.

 

[Yonux]

Im also running the SB Audigy, and didnt notice a big difference between my SB Live vs SB Audigy in sound quality. BUT,. and this is a huge part of it, Im stil using my Altec Lansing Mulitimedia speakers (with sub).

I do have an oportunity to get the SB Inspire 5.1 5300 speakers for a good deal and will probably get them. Once this is done, Yes i do believe I will hear a big difference in sound quality.

So i guess Im saying if you want great sound any of the sound cards listed by Sand I imagine would be great, but the best card in the world wont sound good unless you have some good speakers to blast them through. =)

I vote for the Audigy, nice card and for some reason im partial to SB for sound cards.

Yonux


(bah, i cant spell)