View Full Version : Decent PCI-E Sound Card? (audio noob)
flegg
11-17-2008, 10:18 PM
I've been leaning towards getting the ga-ep45-ud3r because of the extra PCI slot, but it feels really dumb to buy that when the ga-ep45-ud3p is $5 cheaper with free shipping.
If I get a 3p instead of the 3r then I end up with a PCI-E x16 slot instead of a PCI slot which I was going to use for a sound card.
Sorry if the long explanation is unnecessary but I'd like any opinions on PCI-E compatible sound cards.
lowfat
11-17-2008, 11:45 PM
Either a Xonar or a X-Fi Titanium. Those are your only choices currently. I use a Titanium (moved from a Prelude) and I am currently happy with it.
Josifek
11-18-2008, 03:17 AM
I would go with Xonar or you can consider buying an external card like M-Audio.
Ensamvarg
11-18-2008, 08:11 AM
Yup, the Xonar is the one to go for, I love mine =]
ROBSCIX
11-18-2008, 03:19 PM
You really only have a few choices. PCI-E version of the XOnar a Creative X-fi Titanium or some external solution such as a USB/firewire card depending on what you have.
It is really just a quesitons of the features set you want and need. Good luck on your gear hunt.
vengance_01
11-18-2008, 11:18 PM
I got an open box Asus Xonar DX from newegg and have not looked back. Solid card with solid drivers and best of all no bloat.
SoulsCollective
11-18-2008, 11:41 PM
Xonar for sound quality. I wouldn't touch Creative with a 10ft pole, unfortunately they have rather cornered the market. I absolutely love my Prelude, it's just a pity it's PCI only :doh:
lowfat
11-19-2008, 08:47 AM
Xonar for sound quality. I wouldn't touch Creative with a 10ft pole, unfortunately they have rather cornered the market. I absolutely love my Prelude, it's just a pity it's PCI only :doh:
Sound quality is going to be almost exactly the same between the Xonar D2 an the Titanium as they both use the same opamps.
The Xonar DX will be a cut below both.
ROBSCIX
11-19-2008, 12:02 PM
Sound quality is going to be almost exactly the same between the Xonar D2 an the Titanium as they both use the same opamps.
The Xonar DX will be a cut below both.
@Lowfat, that is not quite right. Opamps are only part of the signal chain. The DAC chips are also responsible for much of the sound quality and The D2 has better DAC's then any CL cards...
The Titanium is quoted at 109dB for SNR and the D2 is quoted at about 118 dB SNR. That is quite a bit better.
IIRC, the Xonar DX is rated for about 116dB SNR so the DX also has better specificaitons then the X-fi Titanium.
in the grand scheme of things, the DAC and Opamps are still only couple dollar parts. But even so, improvements here and there, and quality components throughout the entire signal path (like good capacitors), add up to make a good difference in analog sound quality. My experience with Creative is that they skimp out on the hardware component end and charge a price premium that you shouldnt have to pay for.....
If you are specifically using Analog connections, you are better off with the Xonar. If you are using Digital output, neither card is going to matter. If you insist on being able to have near-guaranteed EAX mode support in games, its Creative all the way.
On a side note, i do like that the Titanium is a native PCI-E card and it doesnt have to use a bridge chip. It also draws power directly from the mobo, as opposed to the floppy power connector on the Xonars
ROBSCIX
11-19-2008, 01:44 PM
Some components are worth more then others and small improvments all along the signal chain end up to major improvments in overall quality.
If your comparing a Xonar D2 which uses Burr Brown DAC's and a LM4562 opamps on the front channels which the LM4562 is a few bucks,IIRC. Doesn't seem like much until you compare that to opamps used on many other cards that are worth a couple cents or points of cents. Better quality capacitors will also improve the sound quality as they are at their base usage filters. Better filters =better sound quality.
As for the power input coming right from the PSU, I personally think it is better this way as the power for the analog sections of the card are being tapped right from the PSU as oppsed to power runing through all the traces on the mobo and gettting "dirtier" with EMI/RFI and cleaner power is always good for audio. Opinions vary on the straight psu connection or running through the motherboard.