Sound Cards

[sswingle]

How would something like this: http://www.mwave.com/mwave/vie....hmx?scriteria=AA14650
compare to an Audigy? I don't like how the creative card gives me driver issues all the time. The Aopen card seems cheap (compared to an Audigy) Is it going to sound good?

Or how about this one: http://www.mwave.com/mwave/vie....hmx?scriteria=3460072

 

[Brian48]

I think the Audigy is still quite a bit superior to either of these cards. Both of the cards you've listed are just variants of the CMI8738. Chances are, if your existing motherboard has on-board sound, you may already have it. If not, you can probably pick up a CMI8738 based card off eBay for under $10.

 

[Corporate Thug]

turtle beach santa cruz is a great card

m-audio is prolly the best BUT quite pricey

 

[sswingle]

I can't get my onboard to do 5.1 properly.

So we have a vote for this card: http://www.mwave.com/mwave/vie....hmx?scriteria=1754202

Since its only $10 more, what about this card:
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/vie....hmx?scriteria=3460075

The santa cruz doesn't say anything about software. The other two cards say they come with software...

 

[Brian48]

I'm hesitant to recommend the TBSC. Great card for it's time (still love and use mine), but it's a legacy product and is no longer supported by either Cirrus Logic or Voyetra so you can forget about driver upgrades or fixes should you encounter them.

The Catalina is actually a step-down from the TBSC in my opinion and it's also insanely overpriced. It's nothing more than just an Envy24HT-S clone (ie. MadDog Entertainer 7.1, Gainward Hollywood@Home, Chaintech AV710, etc..). They're all essentially the same card and the Chaintech in particular can be had for $25-30 shipped. You never specified whether or not you use your PC for a lot of gaming, but I assume you don't do that much. If that's the case, then this is fine choice for music playback, especially if you have only 2 speakers. Otherwise, you're probably better off with a different Creative card or the older TBSC.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about the software bundle. I've never personally come across many instances where I actually like the bundled software.

 

[Steve]

I don't think Turtle Beach is CMI 8738, but I'll take a look when I get home....


Catalina appears to be the successor to Turtle Beach. I don't think the latter has much of a future


Also look at this and this.

 

[nitromullet]

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...&keyword1=creative

I asked this very question a few months ago. Might have some useful info for you.

 

[Brian48]

Originally posted by: sm8000
I don't think Turtle Beach is CMI 8738, but I'll take a look when I get home....

TB Riviera = CMI8738
TB Catalina = Envy24HT-S
TB Santa Cruz = CS4630

 

[Steve]

Thanks! I knew that 4630 sounded right.



It sure does!

 

[sswingle]

Well, i decided to go ahead and get the Audigy 2, since I play games sometimes.


Right now I'm listening to MP3s....WOW!!!!! Huge difference from the Live 5.1. I feel like I have unleashed the full potential of my speakers now. The drivers/software seem so much better than the live also.