Need an alternative to Creative Labs Soundcards!

[LarryJoe]

I hate the way my Live! X-Gamer sounds under XP. I have tried everything and still get pops and other anomolies. It worked fine under 98SE, but has been a problem for me under XP. I won't go into all the details, just trust me, I want to try a different brand at this point.

I have Klipsch PM's (4:1) for speakers, I am somewhat of a gamer (need EAX) and listen to lots of music. I also like to throw a DVD in from time to time and used to enjoy dolby digital decoding with WinDVD, but this to doesn't work under XP with my Live!

So what is your opinion? I don't need a breakout box or remote - just a decent card. Looking to spend around a $100 or less. I have used nothing but Creative cards so far, but am about to hop on the anti-Creative band wagon.

Let's hear it.

LJ

 

[Oyeve]

I get simular results with XP. Dont blame CL for all though. A lot has to do with XP. Try the couple of XP patches from CL. They will also be releasing an update cd shortly for the SBlive series. Hang in there. I here the Hometheater XP has even more problems. WIth the patches from CL I can get DD from my live platunim 5.1 so thry that first.

 

[NesuD]

Look at the turtle beach Santa Cruz I switched from a live to it. works great in Win XP which is the primary thing i wanted. excellent music playback eax support also sensaura for the games that support it like UT it's awesome. got mine from newegg shipped for $69 oem card.

 

[TLScrappy]

I 2nd the TB Santa Cruz. I am running Win XP and also have the Klipsch 4.1. Sounds great and no problems with popping etc.
CompUsa had the retail card for $59, but I think that was last weeks sale.
Good Luck!

 

[LarryJoe]

Thanks. I think I will head over to Newegg and check out the TB Santa Cruz. Any other suggestions out there? I actually clicked on the Philips banner here today and checked those out. I did a search here and the Philips card appear to be more of a budget card.

 

[thraxes]

Forget Philips, the EAX doesn't work very well with them. The Santa Cruz has been recommended several times in these Forums, I would also recommend that you check out Hercules soundcards. Also have a look at Terratec cards, they're pretty nice aswell.

 

[RedShirt]

Umm, the Phillips would be fine also... I thought the SC and the PAE were both based on the same chip and based on the same referance drivers.

 

[Raincity]

<< . I thought the SC and the PAE were both based on the same chip and based on the same referance drivers. >>

Well guess what There not. LJ,I tried the Phillips AE in Win2K and the sound was great but the Win2K drivers just stunk to high heaven.

Rain

 

[Atlantean]

You could always try the hercules gametheatre xp, the breakout box is pretty useful, but if you don't want a breakout box, try one of the other hercules sound cards, they seem to be good cards.

 

[LarryJoe]

Thanks to everyone. I ordered a Santa Cruz from Newegg and it should be here in a few days.

I remember seeing a program somewhere that totally blew away Creative SBLive! drivers. Anyone have a link?

Thanks,

LJ

 

[MulLa]

Good choice I have recently upgraded to a TBSC a few weeks ago and it was so much better than my SBLive Value that I had. It made me wonder why I haven't made the switch earlier.

 

[LarryJoe]

Thanks. Great to hear so many props for the Santa Cruz. I just want some decent sound back! I thought that I could wait until Creative and XP matured, but after the big "End of November" release of drivers did squat, I figured it is time to try an alternative.