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Recommend me a Soundcard for Windows XP, needs optical out!

R

Redwingsguy

Diamond Member
I'm trying to keep it under or around $100, just need to support XP, 4.1 speakers, and optical out
So far my list is:

Hercules Gametheater XP (A little iffy on XP support, I've read that it wasn't that great at the end of 2001)
Soundblaster Live! Platinum w/ live drive
 
There's only one, stand-alone consumer level sound card that comes with optical in/out and that's the Fortissumo II. From my experience, the F2 is far less buggy than the Herc GTXP and I currently have one running under WinXP just fine. The F2 essentially uses a "stepped down" version of the same chip used in the Herc GTXP and Santa Cruz. The primary feature that you're losing is HW support for .mp3's, but this is not a big issue since most of the popular players (ie. WinAmp) doesn't support this feature anyway. Basically, if you really don't need the GTXP breakout box, you're not losing much by going with the F2.

The SBLive/Audigy does not come with optical in/out out of the box, but you can buy a 3rd daughter card that will provide you with this feature if you really want it.
 
SB Audigy Platinum or SB Live with Live drive.



<< The SBLive/Audigy does not come with optical in/out out of the box, but you can buy a 3rd daughter card that will provide you with this feature if you really want it. >>



I beg to differ Brian48, the Audigy Platinum does have optical in/out on the epansion drive out of the box. You do not have to buy anything else to get this feature. There's also the coax port that will allow you a digital connection too.
 
last week... i orderd a sound card from directron.

i didn't want to spend 100 on a sound card, since all i'll be using it for was the optical out...
so i went and got a cheap one... 26.00 + 5.25(s/h).

av515m with c-media 8738-6ch MX

i know lots of people don't like c-media... and i'm one of them.
i hated muse sound card which had c-media chipset.
but i'm hearing much good things about 8738 chipset.
so... i'll let you guys know. it's coming tomorrow.
 
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