I need to get a good 5.1 usb soundcard. I've heard some good things about this Philips: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...s=electronics&n=507846, but then Iv'e also heard that it's underpowered, so I'm not too sure. The Audigy2 NX (http://www.newegg.com/app/View...ion=29-102-167&depa=0) looks pretty good too, though it's almost 3 times the cost of the Philips. Any suggestions? Thanks!
What USB soundcard to get?
- Thread starter NleahciM
- Start date
Well, Ive never had a need for a USB sound card but I started getting paranoid about buying creative products when, after installing wmp 9, it decided to stop playing one of my mp3s. I did a little research which suggested that current and future creative sound cards will support drm in hardware. Since this is not advertised up front by creative I find it offensive and won't buy any more of their products. I have been very happy with my Turtle Beach Santa Cruz but I don't think they make a USB card. I've also read that Creative is the only card currently offering hardware audio acceleration. Older cards from the other vendors such as Turtle Beach or philips offered it but the current trend is to rely on the cpu alone for audio processing.
My Audiotrak Prodigy 7.1 is the best sounding card for music as well as games that I have ever heard. Perfect soultion for my needs as an audiophile/gamer. My games even sound better and my CPU can handle the extra load. Back in 2001 on board sound processing taking place on the sound card was useful. Today it is obsolete. Even then I opted for the Santa Cruz over the SB Live!
I have never been happy with Creative sound cards.
I have never been happy with Creative sound cards.
Mem
Lifer
- Apr 23, 2000
- 21,476
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Yes - 7.1 would be AOK - but I've heard from a couple people that own those Sonica Theatres that they are super quiet and start to clip if you being them up too loud. I expect this is due to being powered entirely off of the USB.
I suppose that's a possibility. Will it matter if they're connected to amplified speakers? Will they be connected to amplified speakers?
Yes they will be - but I just remember my friend who had the Sonica Theatre tried connecting his Logitech ZE-5500 speakers to it and he said it was overly quiet. Like he could turn up the volume to get it to the right volume, but I just don't like that solution. I've also heard that the Theatre is a very noisy card.
Mem
Lifer
- Apr 23, 2000
- 21,476
- 13
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In that review they use the zalman 5.1 headphones as a way of testing the sound card. Needless to say I don't give much weight to that review.
I've seen that. But you do realize that's tomshardware that you linked to, right? You pay them enough and they'll say anything is the new best thing. They haven't been a reliable source for information for a good couple of years now.
Cerb
Elite Member
- Aug 26, 2000
- 17,484
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The PSC805/17 is not underpowered, but how I wish I'd waited a few months (I got it for $90) 
.
The Audigy2 NX would be superior for a laptop, given its size. The Philips Aurlilum is at least 8 times as large.
The Tomshardware review is right on the money. But, if it is for a laptop...check out this one:
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...tion=29-102-183&depa=0
.The Audigy2 NX would be superior for a laptop, given its size. The Philips Aurlilum is at least 8 times as large.
The Tomshardware review is right on the money. But, if it is for a laptop...check out this one:
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...tion=29-102-183&depa=0
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