new sound card, is it good

[xNIKx]

Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy® 2 ZS High Definition 7.1 Surround Audio
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102163
i need to know if its good and if its Directx 9.0c compatible

 

[John]

It's better than onboard, but IMHO the X-Fi is a better solution. If you aren't going to utilize the front panel I/O bay then don't bother with the platinum. If you have junk speakers the X-Fi won't help at all.

The CMSS3D & headphone feature of the X-Fi is superior to the Audigy class. You also get a bit-perfect option and the ability to disable resampling. In a nutshell if you own quality headphones or speakers the X-Fi is a no brainer. The Xtreme Music can be had for $90 after rebate.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Some folks, including myself, recommend against SB products. If you have a mobo with the nf4 chipset, X-Fi is not an option.

 

[John]

I have a DFI NF4 + X-Fi and have never experienced any problems. Make sure your mobo has the latest bios and generally you're ok.

 

[dBTelos]

M-Audio Revolution 5.1
M-Audio Revolution 7.1
M-Audio Audiophile 24/96
Chaintech AV710

They are all better options then any Creative card out there for music. For games, x-fi is a little better, but don't let the xtreme music name fool you, it is pretty bad with music.

Edit: Assuming your source and speaker/headphone solution is sufficient.

 

[Fadey]

I have a asus A8N-E (nforce 4) and my x-fi xtreme music works fine..

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: dBTelos
M-Audio Revolution 5.1
M-Audio Revolution 7.1
M-Audio Audiophile 24/96
Chaintech AV710

They are all better options then any Creative card out there for music. For games, x-fi is a little better, but don't let the xtreme music name fool you, it is pretty bad with music.

Edit: Assuming your source and speaker/headphone solution is sufficient.

The chaintech's analog outs are pretty craptastic. Most people who use them use them for the digital out

 

[NanoStuff]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: dBTelos
M-Audio Revolution 5.1
M-Audio Revolution 7.1
M-Audio Audiophile 24/96
Chaintech AV710

They are all better options then any Creative card out there for music. For games, x-fi is a little better, but don't let the xtreme music name fool you, it is pretty bad with music.

Edit: Assuming your source and speaker/headphone solution is sufficient.

The chaintech's analog outs are pretty craptastic. Most people who use them use them for the digital out

The AV710 apparently has alternative output (one of the black jacks), which can be enabled from it's control panel and seemingly has higher quality output.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: NanoStuff

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: dBTelos
M-Audio Revolution 5.1
M-Audio Revolution 7.1
M-Audio Audiophile 24/96
Chaintech AV710

They are all better options then any Creative card out there for music. For games, x-fi is a little better, but don't let the xtreme music name fool you, it is pretty bad with music.

Edit: Assuming your source and speaker/headphone solution is sufficient.

The chaintech's analog outs are pretty craptastic. Most people who use them use them for the digital out

The AV710 apparently has alternative output (one of the black jacks), which can be enabled from it's control panel and seemingly has higher quality output.

That doesn't help people with more than a 2.0 speaker system

 

[John]

Originally posted by: dBTelos
M-Audio Revolution 5.1
M-Audio Revolution 7.1
M-Audio Audiophile 24/96
Chaintech AV710

They are all better options then any Creative card out there for music. For games, x-fi is a little better, but don't let the xtreme music name fool you, it is pretty bad with music.

Edit: Assuming your source and speaker/headphone solution is sufficient.

The cards you mention are less than stellar "gaming" cards, especially if you want DSP effects. The DAC's in the X-Fi XM (CS4382) aren't that bad for analog out, however the digital out is capable of bit-perfect to an external DAC. The X-Fi Elite Pro is equipped with Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC (120 dB DR and -107 dB THD+N). The same DAC is used in E-MU 1212M/1820M. You also get excellent ASIO 2.0 support, and 3 modes to choose from. The X-Fi is an excellent gaming/music card.

 

[NanoStuff]

Originally posted by: John
The same DAC is used in E-MU 1212M/1820M.

The DAC may be the same, but sound quality is far from it.

 

[John]

Have you actually listed to them to draw that conclusion?

 

[NanoStuff]

Nope, but I've compared Rightmark plots.

 

[John]

Benchmarks aren't everything. Even then I doubt the OP is a true audiophile, and he would need quality speakers to hear a difference in sources of this caliber.

 

[Bobthelost]

I've got an audigy ZS plat (the external box version).

I bought it instead of an XFI because i wanted the external box, otherwise i'd have gone XFI in a heartbeat. The sound quality with it and a pair of SR 60s is fantastic for music, even with MP3s i hear more than i ever did with onboard and cheap creative labs 5.1 speakers.