X-FI vs. Audigy 2 ZS ???

[SirRob]

That is good to hear. Any word on the less expensive Auzentech cards?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: SirRob
That is good to hear. Any word on the less expensive Auzentech cards?

Less expensive Auzentech cards are usually "digital only" type cards. They aren't known for their analog sound quality(without upgrading the OP Amps)

 

[SirRob]

Anyone have any experience with the Prodigy 7.1 HiFi from AUDIOTRAK? (http://www.audiotrak.co.uk/home_theatre/prodigy71hifi/prodigy71hifi.shtml)

$113 shipped from the only supplier I could find: http://www.compumusic.com/Store/Forms/Item/Details.aspx?product=31229

I assume that it would do high enough quality recording for my needs, but I do not see any reviews that mention recording capabilities other than SPDIF in. Any input here (no pun intended).

 

[xtknight]

Would an M-Audio sound card produce better-sounding music than an X-Fi? I have an Audigy 2 ZS and Grado SR60 headphones now and I'm wondering whether or not there'd be an improvement without using an external amplifier.

 

[JEDIYoda]

My next card maybe even my Christmas present to me....will be an Auzentech card!!

 

[Zap Brannigan]

Originally posted by: xtknight
Would an M-Audio sound card produce better-sounding music than an X-Fi? I have an Audigy 2 ZS and Grado SR60 headphones now and I'm wondering whether or not there'd be an improvement without using an external amplifier.

An M-Audio card would be an upgrade for sound in music over the Audigy. I hear the 5.1 sounds better than the 7.1. I thought the Prodigy sounded better than the M-Audio 7.1 personaly, and both were better than the Audigy.

 

[Zap Brannigan]

Originally posted by: SirRob
Anyone have any experience with the Prodigy 7.1 HiFi from AUDIOTRAK? (http://www.audiotrak.co.uk/home_theatre/prodigy71hifi/prodigy71hifi.shtml)

$113 shipped from the only supplier I could find: http://www.compumusic.com/Store/Forms/Item/Details.aspx?product=31229

I assume that it would do high enough quality recording for my needs, but I do not see any reviews that mention recording capabilities other than SPDIF in. Any input here (no pun intended).

I used to have the Prodigy that came out a couple years ago installed in my pc and liked it alot at the time.

 

[SirRob]

Any comments on recording quality on the Prodigy?

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: SirRob
The Chaintech AV-710 looks like it has limited recording capacity. Does anyone know about the quality of the recording for the Auzentech cards?

I have have seen that you can flash the AV-710 with M-audio firmware to unlock other features....

 

[SirRob]

Thanks! I just looked up some info on that mod. I think that I would jump on that card if anyone could confirm the quality of its recording capacity. I will be using both microphone and line in. They do not need to be studio quality, but they should at least be as good as Audigy/X-Fi.

 

[Zap Brannigan]

Originally posted by: SirRob
Any comments on recording quality on the Prodigy?

I never tried recording on the Prodigy.

You may want to look into some E-MU cards if you're big on recording and not wanting to spend millions of dollars to do so. The E-MU 0404 and the 1212 have lots of outputs and much better converters than the Audigy.

 

[SirRob]

I use the microphone for karaoke and the line in for old records, tapes, and audio from videos (family, TV...) Do the E-MU cards have microphone inputs and karaoke features? I do not think that they do, but would be open to the E-MU cards if they do.

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn
No consumer pc audio card has an honest SNR that high. BS weightings need not apply.

That said, I've listened to and used both and the X-Fry is better. I'm using the Elite Pro Model and have compared that to the Platinum and can hear a difference between those two also. 24/192 sources with Wadia DAC's modified by Jung & Falcon.

You gotta see MS Dawn's setup, it'll make your wallet cry

 

[Seekermeister]

I'm no audiophile, and I have not heard the X-Fi, but the only time that I have ever heard any kind of extraneous noise is when listening to some OTR streaming internet radio on Winamp. But I can filter that out when necessary. Considering the price difference between Audigy 2 ZS and X-Fi, I will be sticking with my Audigy for a long time.