Sound Cards Again....

[GottaVoodoo2]

Literally everyone in this forum was hot on the SB LIVE X-Gamer as an inexpensive soundcard option.

Putting aside the problems with Aureal, why would I replace a supposedly 18-bit soundcard (with wavetable synthesis) with a 16-bit soundcard (the X-Gamer) with no wavetable that retails at best for $75. Why shouldn't I choose a 32-bit card (Monster Sound MX400) that retails for at best $65.

I'm confused. What am I missing?

 

[mosdef]

I'm assuming part of the reason goes with the Creative Labs name, which people are comfortable with. As for a technical reason, I don't know much about the non-SB Live! cards but I know the SB Live! X-Gamer has both digital in from the CD-ROM and a quality digital out (SP/DIF). I'm guessing it's better for 5.1?

-mosdef

 

[AMB]

I like my Sb Live!

 

[Eug]

"a 16-bit soundcard (the X-Gamer) with no wavetable"

Huh? All Live!s are wavetable. If they weren't they would sound like a cheap gaming card from 1990. FM synth is essentially dead.