Sound Card

[naruto1988]

which is better?

Turtle Beach CATALINA 8 (7.1) Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value SB0400 8 (7.1) Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - OEM

these two are within my price range. i bought a pair of grado SR80 and i recently noticed the buzz/hum coming from my computer's sound output. i was not satisfied with my onboard sound so i decided i need a dedicated sound card. i will be using this for listening to music through headphones and a 2.1 speaker system and for some gaming (CS:S, BF2, DOD:S).

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Turtle Beach.

I'm actually not sure how great their cards are, but I know SoundBlasters are overpriced.

 

[BFG10K]

Audigy 2.

 

[maluckey]

Audigy 2 if the price is right. Read some of the reviews. They don't have the issues that they once had with dirvers.

 

[LED]

If you don't have Firewire (1394a), then grab an Audigy 1 ort 2 with it (not OEM) and you'll have an additional addon...you can find em @ that price if you look around...

 

[Machine350]

Originally posted by: BFG10K
Audigy 2.

:thumbsup:

 

[Brian48]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou
Turtle Beach.

I'm actually not sure how great their cards are, but I know SoundBlasters are overpriced.

Brilliant advice coming from someone who obviously knows jack about either product.

naruto1988,

DON'T get the Catalina. It's just an overpriced VIA Envy24HT-S clone. You can get what is essentially the same card for much less in the Chaintech AV710. If gaming is not a big issue with you and you want the best 2.1 sound for the buck (and the AV710 is dirt cheap), I'd consider the Chaintech over the Catalina.

If you're looking for an all-around card for games, movies, music, etc., then the Audigy2 is your best bet.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

If you can hold off for a while, there might be some new rebate deals on the A2 line. The value has been going for about $35 and the zs for around $50 after rebates.

The X-Fi has even been as low as $75 after rebate would would be a great match with those headphones and gaming.

 

[SuperSilicon]

I have a personnal grudge agianst creative, but I they make good soundcards. Infact I even use a audigy 2. I don't think I would buy from creative agian, mainly because of some of there practices (bad cooperation with game designers mostly my reasons)