new sound card: Philips Acoustic Edge or TB Santa Cruz?

[Shnak]

This will be used with Cambridge DTT2500 Speakers (5.1)... I only use Win2k so good Win2k drivers are important (duh!)... I'd like to know how I can connect the Philips AE and the Santa Cruz to my decoder box to get good sound. I'd like to use the Digital DIN in that my decoder box has... this worked great on my previous SBLive! card... can I use the Digital DIN with the Philips AE or Santa Cruz? Or will I have to use the front/rear analog inputs?

Thanks for you help
Shnak

 

[Shnak]

bump

 

[SpongeBob]

I just got a santa cruz about 2 months ago and I have to say I love it. I only run win2k and I have had no problems whatsoever with the drivers. Also it does have a digital out so you should be able to use your DIN on your decoder although I have not tried it.

 

[Shnak]

I'm curious, what kind of speaker set-up are you using?

Shnak

 

[SpongeBob]

I using an Altec-Lansing speaker set. 2-speakers plus subwoofer. I'm planning on getting a home theater soon though

 

[vash]

Bump for Philips Acoustic Edge.

Good card, have 0 problems with Win2k.

vash

 

[Shnak]

argh.... one says Santa Cruz, the other says Philips AE... that doesn't help me...

I'm leaning towards the Acoustic Edge since it has S/PDIF's... I'm assuming it'll make the connectivity with my DTT2500 speakers easier... am I wrong?

Shnak

 

[eLiu]

From the research/feedback I've gotten...

I think i can [fairly] safely conclude that if you're interested in the BEST DVD movie experience on a PC...then the Acoustic Edge is #1. The Acoustic Edge also leads in the music area, with it's ability to expand sound into all 6 channels (not just copying from front to back...it supposedly actually sounds half-3D ) Gaming performance is good...it has great positioning in front/back...but along the sides and up/down, it lags behind SB Live and Santa Cruz.

The Santa Cruz is the BEST for gaming. It has awesome 3D positioning, and pretty good reverb effects (though the tweaking is somewhat lacking). It's pretty good for music--not far behind the Acoustic Edge. However, it doesnt sport the full ability to re-map regular noise to 3D. And for DVDs, Acoustic Edge reigns supreme, though the SC isn't bad.

Note: this could all change when the Audigy cards come out...

edit: with ur speakers...I might just wait until the Audigy cards come out...Creative card w/creative speakers...should work optimally-ish imo

 

[Shnak]

thanks alot for your input eLiu...

I was also thinking the Philips AE, as I mainly use my computer for DVD viewing and mp3's (all the time)... of course I do play a game or two occasionally, but the AE isn't half that bad for playing games...

Waiting for the Audigy line of sound cards might be a very good idea... I'm just afraid of having the same problems I had with my SBLive!Value though...

Any idea when we should see those Audigy SBLive!'s ?

Thanks again
Shnak

 

[johneetrash]

i have an acoustic edge and the drivers arent quite there... when playing max payne, ending the matrix mode makes an annoying "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek" sound they're supposed to be working on new drivers though

 

[Hercules]

Just a thought though..

But TB is generally faster than Philips (has been) in driver updates.

And as a side note, I have my Santa Cruz and I love it. MP3 Quality was really upgraded from my Creative card.