recommend me the best sound card for my computer speakers

[leeland]

basically what the title says...what card gives the best performance for these speakers ?


Thanks

Leeland

 

[Nohr]

The Audigy2 ZS is the popular card at the moment.

 

[leeland]

Originally posted by: Nohr
The Audigy2 ZS is the popular card at the moment.

currently I am running a sound blaster platinum 5.1 (which has no optical out) does this card have an optical out which I would be able to use on the speakers ? It has been so long since I bought a sound card I can't even remember when I bought the card I ahve now 🙂


Thanks Leeland

 

[Nohr]

Originally posted by: leeland

Originally posted by: Nohr
The Audigy2 ZS is the popular card at the moment.

currently I am running a sound blaster platinum 5.1 (which has no optical out) does this card have an optical out which I would be able to use on the speakers ? It has been so long since I bought a sound card I can't even remember when I bought the card I ahve now 🙂


Thanks Leeland

Yes it does have Digital 5.1 out. Specs and whatnot are here: $88 at Newegg

 

[Tostada]

The only two cards I see worth considering these days are the $40 Santa Cruz and the $88 Audigy 2 ZS. Everything else is a complete waste of money compared to those.

Of course, you'd have to pick the Audigy if you need the digital 5.1 out.

 

[txxxx]

Originally posted by: Tostada
The only two cards I see worth considering these days are the $40 Santa Cruz and the $88 Audigy 2 ZS. Everything else is a complete waste of money compared to those.

Of course, you'd have to pick the Audigy if you need the digital 5.1 out.

M-Audio Revolution?

 

[EngenZerO]

Originally posted by: Nohr
The Audigy2 ZS is the popular card at the moment.

agreed... this soundcard is pretty sweet. its way better then my regular audigy in my older box.

 

[imported_Kyzar1]

Would there be any significant reasons to go with the Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro over the regular Audigy 2 ZS for the average user? The external I/O box does seem cool, but I'm not sure that I would use it enough to justify the extra money.

Kyzar1

 

[Kaido]

Creative Labs Audigy2 ZS or the M-Audio Revolution 7.1 are both good cards. Both are PCI, both have 7.1 channels, and both have digital output.

I have an Audigy2 ZS. The drivers and software included are good. They even include a DVD-audio player. Their software can be a bit slow sometimes, like when you're adjusting settings, but it's good stuff.

Make sure you get a digital cable for your z-680s. Oh yeah, the Audigy2 is THX certified, as are the Logitech z-680s.

 

[Tostada]

Is there any reason someone would pay $93 for the M-Audio when the Audigy 2 ZX is $88? And don't say the 107dB SNR vs. 106dB SNR. 🙂

 

[high]

Originally posted by: Kyzar1
Would there be any significant reasons to go with the Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro over the regular Audigy 2 ZS for the average user? The external I/O box does seem cool, but I'm not sure that I would use it enough to justify the extra money.

Kyzar1

you do realize that the audigy and audigy2 are basically an identical card, but the a2 has 7.1 and optical out?

 

[ponyo]

If you get Audigy 2, use the analog connection instead of coaxial. Analog should sound better with your Z680 and will let you use 5.1 on everything. Use coaxial out only if your card has crappy DAC.

If I had the money I would go with Audigy 2 ZS.

 

[txxxx]

Originally posted by: Tostada
Is there any reason someone would pay $93 for the M-Audio when the Audigy 2 ZX is $88? And don't say the 107dB SNR vs. 106dB SNR. 🙂

Everything else is not a complete waste of money, thats my point. There are alternatives to creative haters, and the Santa Cruz AD/DA units dont really compare to creatives nowadays.

 

[imported_Kyzar1]

Originally posted by: high

Originally posted by: Kyzar1
Would there be any significant reasons to go with the Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro over the regular Audigy 2 ZS for the average user? The external I/O box does seem cool, but I'm not sure that I would use it enough to justify the extra money.

Kyzar1

you do realize that the audigy and audigy2 are basically an identical card, but the a2 has 7.1 and optical out?

Read it again. I was wondering if there are significant benefits to buying the Platinum Pro version. I never mentioned the original Audigy card.😀

Kyzar1

 

[MrPabulum]

Another recommendation for the Audigy 2ZS. I've had great success with it. 🙂

 

[CJP]

Does the digital out on the Audigy 2 ZS do 5.1 (3d Sound) for games as well as DVD's?

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: CJP
Does the digital out on the Audigy 2 ZS do 5.1 (3d Sound) for games as well as DVD's?

No. Just for movies. No point of using digital with Audigy 2 and Z680 when analog sounds better.

 

[CJP]

Can you have the analog and digital hooked up at once so it uses analog for games and digital for movies?

 

[Lazy8s]

no two diff connections.

btw I have klipsch 4.1 on an audigy 2 and it sounds better than my $1000 sterio system I got for my T.V. so I bought the klipsch digital decoder and hooked up a set to my T.V. and it would take a lot of convincing to go to anything else. It may be the speakers but that audigy2 is so much nicer than my old 5.1 card.