Has integrated audio come a long way?

[Reznik Akime]

For about five years now I've been toting around an Audigy 2 across several systems. Is it time to retire it? My DK x48 TR2 has that Realtek HD integrated audio codec crap on it. Is the sound on today's integrated superior to the Audigys of old?

[zanzabar]

the SBA2 is still creative,s best card IMO ive had an xfi but i liked the SBA2 better, and it sounds better than the integrated on my LT so i would stay with it (i woundent buy a new one but use it if uve got it)

[jas420221]

Even that older card is better than most onbaords...this coming from a guy that NEVER had an external card until I got this one (in sig) a couple weeks ago!!!

[Reznik Akime]

Alright, got another question. I couldn't care anything for playing games with good sound. Yeah, clarity is nice but EAX to me just don't cut it. I want something that can drive decent sound to a nice stereo system I have. It's all about music.

It all comes back to the Audigy 2. Have sound cards come a long way to make it worth upgrading? I would love to have RCA jacks at least so I won't lose quality going from RCA>Mini then Mini>RCA. I got my 360's sound plugged into my computer for some processing and that is all. I know that has to be dropping off quite a bit of voltage there. I am open to any manufacturer at the moment that has a good pricing.

[Jamesrt2004]

really recommend checking out the head-fi forum to be honest mate
there all sound guru's and enthusiast over their
I can say yes their is enough new tech to make it worth it,
but browse their to see what u can afford and see what people recommend :)

[Reznik Akime]

really recommend checking out the head-fi forum to be honest mate
there all sound guru's and enthusiast over their
I can say yes their is enough new tech to make it worth it,
but browse their to see what u can afford and see what people recommend :)

Here I was, nearly forgotten this thread. Thanks!

[WrigleyVillain]

Even that older card is better than most onbaords...this coming from a guy that NEVER had an external card until I got this one (in sig) a couple weeks ago!!!

I second this and I'm about as far from an "audiophile" as one can get. Though I like my tunes and games and I definitely notice a major difference having my now old Logitech Z-5500's hooked up to an X-FI Gamer compared to 5 previous onboard sources. Richness of bass and everything is definitely noticeable. Onboard sound has certainly improved a lot but a good card is still the way to go.

[Particle]

Even the Audigy SE that I got at Wal-Mart is better than any onboard sound I've ever had the misfortune of listening to for five minutes. There are some motherboards that specialize in having good onboard sound and will integrate something like an Audigy. Most, however, do not.

Let us not forget how much better onboard sound is than onboard sound from five years ago though. The difference there is night and day.