which of these 3 sound cards

[Brodel]

hey

I'm after a new sound card, nothing amazing just something that handles 5.1 well. I am a bit confused by the creative timeline. is it (in order from early to new) soundblaster live!> audigy> audigy2> x-fi?

There seem to be so many different models of each card I'm having a hard time telling what is a good deal on ebay and what isn't.


eBay choices..
"Creative Sound Blaster Audigy. 5.1 Dolby Surround"
http://i11.ebayimg.com/04/i/05/6b/cf/e3_1_b.JPG

"CREATIVE CT4780 SOUND CARD BLASTER LIVE" for half the price although I don't understand why it has an Audigy2 stamp on it?
http://i4.ebayimg.com/04/i/05/6b/f2/e6_1_b.JPG

or a brand new "Creative SB Audigy SE , Bulk PCI, 7.1 Surround, 24-bit/96KHz, EAX2.0"

 

[dunkster]

I picked up the Audigy 4 value package for about $75 at Best Buy, and I'm pleased with it.

You won't find any reviews, since this is a new offering from Creative.

Package includes the full-bloat software bundle and a remote, though I only installed the driver and configuration utilities. I'm no sound expert, but it does 5.1, music and gaming very well.

If your system is Nvidia NF4 chipset, note that some report problems with the X-fi.

Hope this helps!

 

[LED]

is it (in order from early to new) soundblaster live!> audigy> audigy2> x-fi?

Pretty much so go with the Audigy and collect the Firewire...

Edit=I don't think the Audigy OEM has 1394 support and sniperruff makes 1 good point!

 

[sniperruff]

i wouldn't buy used computer parts on ebay.

 

[orangat]

Originally posted by: Brodel
hey

I'm after a new sound card, nothing amazing just something that handles 5.1 well. I am a bit confused by the creative timeline. is it (in order from early to new) soundblaster live!> audigy> audigy2> x-fi?

There seem to be so many different models of each card I'm having a hard time telling what is a good deal on ebay and what isn't.
eBay choices..
"Creative Sound Blaster Audigy. 5.1 Dolby Surround"
http://i11.ebayimg.com/04/i/05/6b/cf/e3_1_b.JPG
"CREATIVE CT4780 SOUND CARD BLASTER LIVE" for half the price although I don't understand why it has an Audigy2 stamp on it?
http://i4.ebayimg.com/04/i/05/6b/f2/e6_1_b.JPG
or a brand new "Creative SB Audigy SE , Bulk PCI, 7.1 Surround, 24-bit/96KHz, EAX2.0"

You are correct about the timeline.
I wouldn't get the SE, its some oddball model which might lack driver support.

At this point, I'd suggest you get either the A4non-pro from BB for ~$80, A2ZS oem for $70 the x-fi. All these cards have eax3/4 support. The Live only has eax2.

 

[Brodel]

thanks for the advice, is there a big difference between EAX 2 and EAX 4? I'm tempted to save money and just get the Audigy SE, I know it may not have great driver support but I'm assuming it works at least?

 

[Brodel]

anyone?

 

[NeonFlak]

Or what about the audigy 2 value for $50?
http://www.chiefvalue.com/app/productde...79&ATT=Sound+Card&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r

 

[Brodel]

Originally posted by: NeonFlak
Or what about the audigy 2 value for $50?
http://www.chiefvalue.com/app/productde...79&ATT=Sound+Card&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r

Yea, I'd probably go for that one but the place I am ordering all my other parts from doesnt have it in stock at the moment unfortunately. The ones either side are the Audigy4 or the AudigySE.

 

[GamerExpress]

I would go for the last choice, but all you really need to get is the Audigy Value.

 

[orangat]

IMO eax3/4 is a big enough jump to justify getting an A2. Otherwise I would have gone for a non-creative solution for better SQ in music.

The A2 value is a good choice since its practically everything an A2ZS is. But some people had problems with drivers and the ZS driver isn't compatile with this model which is strange. If you have time and energy, maybe you could give it a try and return it if the drivers aren't up to snuff.

 

[statik213]

I have an audigy2 and it's awesome. If you game a lot the older cards don't have the same support.... get the audigy2 or audigy4 if you can.
The audigy2 value is going for around $30~$40 after rebates these days.

 

[Brodel]

Thanks for the advice, I'm in the UK and ordering from this website..

http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/kl.asp?bn=10230&sortBy=p&minprice=&maxPrice=

I am ordering other parts too so it would need to be from the list there, or one on ebay. I was pretty happy with my old Live! card so unless there is a big difference between the SE and A4 (about $20 diff in price) I might just get the SE.

 

[Brodel]

any last minute words of advice? I'm going to order tonight and I'm leaning towards the A4 at the moment, just really stretching my budget though... :\