What is your favorite soundcard?

[CanTwo]

So which company is taking all our monies?

[jeremyshaw]

NuForce uDAC2, but if you MUST go PCI/PCIe, ASUS Xonar series.

There are better USB dac/amps out there, but I forget their names very frequently... as they are hard to find in the USA.

[lowfat]

I am going to vote Xonar HDAV1.3 since you don't even list the D2/D2X which are way more used cards. Both the D2 and D2X are my favourite cards I have purchased to date.

[nn_step]

via envy.

Have yet to find another sound card that sounds better and it only costs $35

[EniGmA1987]

If you look at the basics, it is C-Media 8788 vs Creative X-Fi. Most of which I think use close to reference or the actual reference design. What you are really comparing here and asking for an opinion on is the better, more accurate C-Media 8788 compared to other peoples preference of the Creative X-Fi that gives EAX processing for better positional audio and lots of fake processing that makes your audio not true to the original.

My favorite for the money? Audio-GD FUN, an external sound card similar to the above posters NuForce uDAC2. If money is no object, then the Audio-GD NFB-8

If my choice is limited to an internal card only, then the Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1 2G or HT-Omega Claro Plus+

[SabreWulf69]

[This message expresses the views of myself, not necessarily the views of this forum or any one else in particular]

Sound cards are awesome. I love mine and it made a considerable impact on my setup --> http://www.nrnl.org/post129.html#p129 . Whether one needs it or not is not up for debate, what sound card is best is and I say ASUS Xonar Essence ST/X. Personally got the ASUS Xonar Essence STX Soundcard recently and couldn't be more happier with it. I, too was fed up with Creative's less than stellar performance and driver reliability ever since I gave up my old SB Live! Value lol. I can't fault my card, and has been an excellent addition to my audio setup, but don't take my word for it -

Here if ya can be bothered please read some of the following reviews or opinions from many a respected source audio and computer industry wise -->

http://forums.overclockers.com.au/sh...d.php?t=766494
http://www.guru3d.com/article/asus-x...ce-stx-review/
http://www.overclockersclub.com/revi...r_essence_stx/
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2339333,00.asp
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mul...sence-stx.html
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/a...le_soundcard/8
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/rev...ar_essence_stx
http://www.stereophile.com/computera...tx_soundcards/
http://www.avforums.com/forums/sound...pressions.html

Apparently for my purpose (Playback using 2-Channel Audio + Analog out to my new high quality amp and speakers) it hands down beats the like of the Creative cards, themselves and the high end Creative cards by Auzentech, the M-Audio Audiophile 192 Card, ESI Juli@, any onboard by absolute miles, and at least on par if not better than some High-End music production cards from the likes of RME and LYNX.

Also passes through surround sound through SP/DIF and TOSLINK connection in case you were wondering.

I also do prefer Dolby Digital for my games over EAX, is subjective as once again most things are with sound. If you the read numerous reviews of the STX given, then you would see that the STX is *almost* on par for games, and superior for music and movies. I do music production and listen to a massive variety of music, and as stated for my uses it suites me perfectly :-) I have "bit-perfection" working perfectly too, and don't see how anyone else shouldn't either. For a description of bit-perfect and bit-accurate playback refer to this article --> http://www.nrnl.org/post115.html#p115

A few more tid bits of information; A list of games using OpenAL and aLchemy:
aLchemy Games -
http://connect.creativelabs.com/alch.../AllItems.aspx

OpenAL Games -
http://connect.creativelabs.com/open...iki/Games.aspx

Also Unreal Engine 3 is able to use OpenAL, DirectSound3D or FMOD.

[Donnie27]

So which company is taking all our monies?

WOW, did you ask what was your favorite card or for a lot of Schill advertising? Anyway, Auzentech X-Fi Prelude and wouldn't trade it for anything=P It is installed perfectly with the HDA-Digital out from my nVidia 260 in my HTPC. Don't need to put down Asus or anyone because I like this one better Favorite old school card is the MX-300 followed closely by the Aureal SQ-2500 (still have one BTW).

[zanzabar]

via envy.

Have yet to find another sound card that sounds better and it only costs $35

thats what the HT omegas are but with amps built in.

i stil like my sba2 plat pro but if i bought again i think i would go onboard then coax out to a reciver

[uOpt]

I like card with the C-media CMI8738 chips and similar units. Turtle beach puts them into nice soundcards.

They sound good, driver are working and to the point (unlike Creative).

[Donnie27]

I like card with the C-media CMI8738 chips and similar units. Turtle beach puts them into nice soundcards.

They sound good, driver are working and to the point (unlike Creative).

First of all, CMI8738 doesn't sound like anything. The ADC and DACs and etc... make the sound. Most of the Processing is done by the CPU and the CMI is merely a Conduit. Even with a smaller *driver package CMI8738 still has problems as well.

[uOpt]

First of all, CMI8738 doesn't sound like anything. The ADC and DACs and etc... make the sound. Most of the Processing is done by the CPU and the CMI is merely a Conduit. Even with a smaller package CMI8738 still has problems as well.

I said I like cards with this chip and it's relatives. They are expensive chips and they end up on nice soundcards that also have decent analog parts. Plus you don't get to deal with Creative's so-called drivers.

[Donnie27]

I said I like cards with this chip and it's relatives. They are expensive chips and they end up on nice soundcards that also have decent analog parts. Plus you don't get to deal with Creative's so-called drivers.

Sorry but Creative's so called drivers work for me and have always worked except for one Asus A8N32X and I know it was the board because they worked on the 16X version of the same board. Yes, I've worked on systems with problematic C-Media Crap-O-la as well. Sooner or later motherboard makers will catch on and do the same things HT Omega, Turtle Beech, Asus and others are doing, yes cheap conduits and add nice DACs and ADCs.

Again, I voted Auzentech Prelude that has very nice hardware as well, so I agree, it is relative

[apexracing]

I know it's not the newest out there, I'm still rather fond of my Auzen X-Fi Prelude.

[Frag Maniac]

thats what the HT omegas are but with amps built in.

Actually the HT Omegas use C-Media. VIA doesn't even make the Envy anymore. It's been replaced by the Vinyl Tremor which is pretty much only showing up on cheap sound cards.

[Bobsama]

I personally use a Little Dot DAC_I--which is an external stereo-only DAC.

[jalyst]

Does anyone know if Asus is releasing a successor to the ST/STX soon?
The range has been out for at least 2yrs now...

[lowfat]

Does anyone know if Asus is releasing a successor to the ST/STX soon?
The range has been out for at least 2yrs now...

The Xense. You just can't buy it without the bundled headphones. What I would really like Asus to do is release an updated version of the STX that has the features of the ST. Mainly the option to use to daughter expansion card. I am going to be forced to buy two sound cards for my next system since i want to use headphones as well as 5.1 analog.

[jalyst]

No the Xense is not an improvement over the ST/X.
If your modern ATX MB doesn't have a spare PCI (mine does) just get a PCI2PCIe adapter so you can plug your ST into a PCIe slot.
The only potential improvement on the horizon is the Essence One, but it's a external solution

[lowfat]

If your modern ATX MB doesn't have a spare PCI (mine does) just get a PCI2PCIe adapter so you can plug your ST into a PCIe slot.

How is something like that suppose to fit in any normal case?

[jalyst]

If you define "normal" as sub-ATX I don't.
I definitely want ATX (maybe even a tad bigger) for my AIO BE+FE HTPC/PVR build.
I'll have multiple front-ends only which are smaller of course.

[HiJon89]

ESI Juli@

[lowfat]

If you define "normal" as sub-ATX I don't.
I definitely want ATX (maybe even a tad bigger) for my AIO BE+FE HTPC/PVR build.
I'll have multiple front-ends only which are smaller of course.

I my case is an HTPX case. I just don't see how I can get my Xonar D2 to work. All the PCI Express to PCI adapters I have seen will add extra height to the card. I think only low profile sound cards would work.

I'd honestly love to not be forced to sell my card and fork out more money for an D2X (again).

[keiths]

Gravis Ultrasound.

[jalyst]

I my case is an HTPX case. I just don't see how I can get my Xonar D2 to work. All the PCI Express to PCI adapters I have seen will add extra height to the card. I think only low profile sound cards would work.

I'd honestly love to not be forced to sell my card and fork out more money for an D2X (again).

Oh you mean this?
http://www.maxishine.com.au/forums/v...p?f=40&t=15462
Didn't think you'd have probs with a full-size like that

Maybe there's some solutions here...
http://hardwareforall.com/hwdb/risers.html

What are you doing with a D2 anyway, you should have an Essence ST + H6!

[lowfat]

Oh you mean this?
http://www.maxishine.com.au/forums/v...p?f=40&t=15462
Didn't think you'd have probs with a full-size like that

Maybe there's some solutions here...
http://hardwareforall.com/hwdb/risers.html

What are you doing with a D2 anyway, you should have an Essence ST + H6!

The problem is the height of the card. all the adapters add a lot of height. You are either stuck w/ half height PCI card or you need to have a case that has horizontal expansion slots like some ultra slim cases. There is almost no way I can tell to get a PCIe to PCI adapter to fit in a normal ATX case.

I would have an Essense ST + H6 if my motherboard had PCI slots. Now I am going to be stuck w/ purchasing both an D2X and an Essense STX.