Probably not, you might be better off waitng til' a proper review is done of the new Creative card first...
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Probably not, you might be better off waitng til' a proper review is done of the new Creative card first...
Most of those people consider themselves audiophiles, too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cyrilix
However, when you look at the rest of their sound system, you find that they're using internally amplified Logitechs, Creatives, or Altec Lansings.
Internally amplified speakers usually only have one driver, so the sound generated is always tinny.
The only way to create a quality listening experience is to have speakers that can generate a full range of frequencies, from highs with complete clarity to rich lows... which internally amplified speakers will probably never be able to do properly, or at least not cheaply.
...there's only so much information in a compressed file.
What is this in reference to?Quote:
Originally Posted by Quanticles
If you demand perfect audio then it is, otherwise probably not. Still audio, like a fast computer, is one of those things where once you get good quality you can never go back. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by saaya
As for the reference to compressed audio, it refers to the Xi-Fi "Crystaliser" technology, which purports to take compressed audio and turn it back into a high quality uncompressed signal, and turn sterio into surround sound. Now, while you can do a few repairs on the signal, you can't make something out of nothing. That's why I'm VERY skeptical about their claims.
If you're speaking about A2ZS vs A4Pro it's certainly not worth it. Myself I'm using Logitech Z-5500 5.1 and I can't hear any difference really between my new fancy Audigy 4 Pro and my old Audigy (1) Platinum, the only difference *might* be a little better SNR on the A4 (sound/signal to noise ratio) i e less noise, and perhaps a better driver set w/ richer features, but it sure ain't worth the price tag imo (must confess I got greatly disappointed when I realized it still hadn't support for digital 5.1 output via coax/optical, i e no real time DD5.1-encoding). Short answer: No, hold on for X-Fi, the top X-Fi model will most certainly be worth the dough though.Quote:
Originally Posted by saaya
I agree. I never believed in Anisotropic Filtering and Anti-Aliasing anyway. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by DudeMiester
Less just hope there's an OEM model with all the features without all the fluff. 150 bucks is kinda doable if there is actual sound quality improvements.
maybe...Quote:
Originally Posted by teqguy
well think of deinterlacing on video files... pretty much the same thing, sint it?Quote:
Originally Posted by DudeMiester
or a filters in photoshop... you might not be able to get to the same quality of the original data, but you can get closed if you use a good algorythm. i dont know how exactly mp3s are compressed though so i better shut up :D
You definitely won't hear a distinct difference between the Aud2, Aud4, or the Xi-Fi(let's just codename it Zenith) with those speakers... or any other set of internally amplified speakers for that matter.Quote:
i got an audigy 2zs, is it worth to replace the dacs?
will i be able to hear a difference?
i have a creative 6.1 speaker set...
not worth it right?
They just aren't equipping them with the right kind of speakers to generate the necessary range of frequencies. I'll admit, though, the drivers they do use have a wide range, but it can't compare to a nice set of loudspeakers with individual highs, mids, and lows.
When you try to generate sound at high volumes with these speakers, the audio distorts because they have really low impedance and can't handle a lot of wattage.
If you want, though, you can actually install the Audigy 4 drivers on the Audigy 2. I don't know if it'll improve the quality, but I know it wouldn't hurt it.
You can also try the kX audio driver, which is a third party driver that claims to produce better audio quality than the Creative driver. The only downside to it is that it doesn't support EAX. However, it comes with enough features that compensate for it.
It's available free here: http://kxproject.lugosoft.com
That's why you use an external amplifier that has a DSP that does Dolby Digital EX(at even 7.1, if you must), and not to mention the greatly superior DTS.Quote:
(must confess I got greatly disappointed when I realized it still hadn't support for digital 5.1 output via coax/optical, i e no real time DD5.1-encoding).
In reference to compression, the optimal way their processing works is by filling in gaps where there would usually be a natural progression or digression of frequency, tone, volume, etc.
While this might not reproduce the audio as accurately as it once was, most people honestly can't tell the difference unless they know what to listen for. Usually, the hardest part to reproduce is around the high to mid range, where most dialogue and sound effects are typically situated.
High highs and low lows, however, do not suffer from any degredation through the uncompression.
As far as MP3 files are concerned, they are a lossy format... meaning that when they were encoded, some of the frequencies were either extracted or shifted to reduce the size of the file. It does a fairly good job at this- so much so, that it's very hard to distinguish the clarity between it and a song ripped to WAV(which is a lossless format).
There are algorithms worth trying that would make a lossy format into a lossless format, but there's nothing you can do to replace MP3. So, instead, people come up with their own formats, hence RM Audio, WMA, and whatever the hell Apple is using these days(it's hard to keep track)... and while they force people to use their formats every now and then, nobody is ever going to stray from MP3.
From what I believe, Creative > All sound card producers.
Creative pwns!! :P
It'd be worth it to get this card. The launch video looks sweet!
I could have sword I posted in this thread. Oh well. :(
Edit:
I, on the other hand do not welcome this product. With video cards that cost upwards of $500 and have to be replaced bi-annualy, and then physics add-in cards that appear to cost around the same, and also, will probably be obsolete at about the same pace... well an uber-expensive sound card is the last thing I want. Considering I use a $5 pair of headphones all the time, anyway.
There are better sound cards than the Audigy series, such as the HDA Digital X-Mystique 7.1 Gold which retails for $100 and has full 7.1 channel Dolby Digital Live, Dolby Digital EX, and DTS support... not to mention integrated SPDIF and optical output.
Full details here: www.hidiaudio.com/products/mystique.html
If the Zenith isn't better than HDA's Mystique, the Mystique should probably be everyone's number one choice... considering the amount of features it has for the price of an Audigy 1.
Don't think I've been raised on picture books, but I really don't follow. Could you try to expand/rephrase that? :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by teqguy
yes, yes, base your buys on launch videos, buddy, we need more ppl like you ... :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by shadowing
What about the DACs? Cause if this card is as uber as you say for 1/3 of the price of my Audigy4, I'm starting to feel even more ripped off. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by teqguy
That wasn't what I implied. :mad:Quote:
Originally Posted by krille
I only said that because I'm using a Creative Audigy 2 ZS. Its one of the best I've ever used.
Will this card require a cooler.
Thanks
Sorry, mate, didn't mean no disrespect/offense. Just seemed to me your reply demanded a rebuke. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by shadowing
Anyway, when you say it like that it sounds like you've tried many? Myself I've only had 4-5 real sound cards (not counting integrated mobo sbs ofc), of which all have been Creative, I must confess so I can't say anything about M-Audio and the likes, however from what I've heard (from professional musicians, audio producers, audiophiles as well as speaker engineers/constructors etc... (my dad knows quite a few since he's an active audiophile himself)) M-Audio is the better brand atm (when it comes to sound quality, although for real-time effects in games Creatives EAX might still be wanted). Think it's got to do with the DACs or something, which tend to be lousy on Creative's products, but I'm not really into this stuff (just remotely interested, really). Just my 2 cents.
We do not know as of yet. Hopefully, though, it'll only require passive cooling (51.1M transistors on 130nm is just a tiny, tiny die and clocked to 400 mhz it shouldn't produce *that* much heat...we're not speaking big-size GPUs/high-freq CPUs here.) Good case air flow is ofc a must (as always!). They'd most certainly be criticised a whole bit if they'd stick a 40mm high-rpm fan on this sucker. Although only time will tell.Quote:
Originally Posted by elec999
Yeah sounds like well be seeing a passive heatsink, thats it.
Instead of using the sound card's digital to analog conversion, you connect it to an amplifier via either SPDIF or optical and use its DAC.Quote:
Don't think I've been raised on picture books, but I really don't follow. Could you try to expand/rephrase that?
Surround sound amplifiers have more ellaborate digital signal processing, which includes being able to handle DTS streams encoded at 96Khz/24bit.
When it comes down to DAC, each channel on an amplifier's DSP is discrete, meaning that it's processed and generated with absolute clarity, because it's not inhibited by the other channels.
Afaik, most sound cards' DACs are not entirely discrete, so they process the left and right, left rear and right rear, and center and subwoofer in three channels instead of six.
I wouldn't know, nor would I care.Quote:
What about the DACs? Cause if this card is as uber as you say for 1/3 of the price of my Audigy4, I'm starting to feel even more ripped off.
Like I said, I don't use any sound card's DAC and instead opt for an external amplifier.
I would assume that the DAC is fairly decent, if not better than M-Audio's Revolution, which uses a Via Envy24. The Mystique uses a C-Media CMI8768+.
As far as a comparison of features is concerned, the Mystique has Dolby Digital Live encoding/decoding and a built in optical out, in addition to everything else the Revolution has.
Oh, and as far as the clock frequency and cooling are concerned, it appears that the Xi-Fi is designed like the Cell, so portions of it will not always be active. This could also indicate that while the accumulative clock frequency is 400Mhz, each portion only works at 50Mhz.
However, this is an enormous step up from the EMUK101, which I believe is clocked at 33Mhz.
the new chip will prolly work VERY well with those new DRM enabled intel chips!
Xifi + future Intel will end ur life for sure!
DRM overkill
Ive tried this, and no it doesnt improve them. The Sound feels "heavy"Quote:
If you want, though, you can actually install the Audigy 4 drivers on the Audigy 2. I don't know if it'll improve the quality, but I know it wouldn't hurt it.
Tried this too. They are good drivers. Why is it a downside that they dont have EAX? I find it useless. what do you find good about it?Quote:
You can also try the kX audio driver, which is a third party driver that claims to produce better audio quality than the Creative driver. The only downside to it is that it doesn't support EAX. However, it comes with enough features that compensate for it.
I don't use EAX, but a lot of games do.
If you're using internally amplified speakers(which most of you probably are), I've found that it can enrich mid to low range tones.
The bad part about it, though, is that it makes the highs sound tinny, which isn't very good when you have speakers that already sound tinny.
I'd also like to note that for the price of the Logitech Z-5500's, you could have a 6.1 ch amplifier and a full set of speakers. Even the cheapest bookshelf speakers can make the Logitechs sound like garbage.
I can't even believe Logitech is trying to sell those speaker sets with 18 gauge cable between them.
Ideally, you would want at least 14 gauge cable from your speakers to your amplifier. The lower the gauge, the thicker the wire. Thick wire reduces the impedance, which can improve audio quality tremendously.
I use plain old 10 gauge electrical wire and it works perfectly.
hey teqguy you can probably answer my question, in terms of sound quality using optical outs, is there a difference between integrated sound on the mobo and any sound card for that matter, when sending to an external amp, cos does the sound still get processed in the comp