M-Audio Delta 66 vs Creative Labs Audigy 4 Pro... Recommendations?

[Lukozer]

I have been writing/composing music for some time now, since the days of the Amiga when i was just a young'un (well, around the same age and a lot of people here actually), and have decided to take it to the next step. Instead of simply taking samples and placing them within a sequence via software only, i am purchasing a keyboard/synth and am looking for a good quality pro-grade sound card to complement it well. I've known about M-Audio for some time, and their Reason series of music production/mixing software (which i use from time to time), but i'm not all that clued-up on their sound cards. The Delta 66 looks damn good, but as is often the case, i can't find any reviews (tried Google, no luck). The thing is, i don't want a sound card that is PURELY for music creation, i also want good sound for music playback, movies and some gaming. This is why i am also considering (reluctantly) the Audigy 4 Pro. I should point out now that 3+ years of the Hercules Game Theater XP means there is no way i could even contemplate a sound card without an external breakout box, so please don't post Audigy 2 ZS suggestions. Of course, if you know any sound cards that are similar in price (Delta 66 = £125, Audigy 4 Pro = £152), have 64bit drivers available (including Beta's) and have an external breakout box, i'm all ears...

So, does anyone have any links to reviews of the M-Audio Delta 66, or any musicians here have any first hand experience? I'm interested in how it performs, and how the Audigy 4 Pro compares. Any insight is welcome and appreciated.

BTW, here's the link to the M-Audio Delta 66 product page. I'm sure you all know where to find the Audigy 4 Pro page, so i won't bother posting that one...

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Delta66-main.html

Cheers...

 

[T9D]

The M-audio kicks the creative labs arse. Anyone in the recording field will tell you to get the M-audio gear. go on any recording or music board and they laugh at creative labs.

I used to have the M-audio delta 66 with the omnibox for recording and listening. Since I dont play drums anymore I sold it and went back to my audycard. Let me tell you the audigy card sounds like crap compared to the M-audio.

If you really want more opinions go onto a recording forum. But they will say the same thing.

 

[Lukozer]

Regarding music recording, i don't doubt the Delta 66 blows the Audigy 4 out of the water, but how is it in everyday use, things like movie playback, gaming, etc.? What about it's CPU usage compared to other cards?

Thanks for the info so far...

 

[thirdlegstump]

I have a Delta 44 and a 1010 and they're both perfectly adequate for non-recording tasks. Sure it doesn't have midi synthesis nor effects built in but that stuff isn't really necessary anyway. As for gaming performance, I'm not seeing any issues even when playing D3. SNR will kick the Audigy's butt anytime.

 

[Lukozer]

Great to hear. I wasn't keen on going with the Audigy 4, i've been avoiding using Creative Labs sound cards for years because i keep seeing post after post after post about problems with them, not to mention CL's reputation for lousy driver support. Looks to me like the Delta 66 will be the best choice, superb music recording features and great performance in regular usage.... The fact that it's a little cheaper than the Audigy 4 wraps up the deal. Thanks for the replies, it's appreciated...