A card that's better than the SB Live?

[Warthog]

It can't be!

I noticed at Dell's website that they added the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz DSP sound card to their selection. It was more money than the SB Live so I assumed it was better.

The only differences that I could tell between the Santa Cruz and the Live was that the former had both EAX and A3D. I read that A3D only "creates the illusion of three-dimensional sound from only two speakers, or over headphones". I have 4 speakers.

I am about to buy a Dell comp. Should I spend the extra $40 for the Santa Cruz upgrade? Is it worth it whatsoever?? I am a sucker for clear, top quality sound. Will this be better than the SB Live in that dept.?

Warthog

[smokin1]

Here's a review on it for you http://pc.ign.com/hardware/190.html
but at $99 retail I have a problem seeing it as an "upgrade" from a SB Live...
btw...does that give you any ideas...like..build your own?
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[Warthog]

Thanks for the link.

And no, it doesn't give me any ideas about building my own. Tons of people have told me that, but this is what I want to do.

Warthog

[Paul Hubrich]

If you really want top quality sound, go with the SB Live and put the $40 toward the best speakers you can afford.

Few will disagree that the SB Live is a fine sound card. In my experience, once you reach that level of quality, the speakers play a bigger role than the sound card.

[chipbgt]

Yeah, either card will be able to put out the desired sound...the bottleneck is in the speakers. get some higher end speakers and you will be happier.

[Warthog]

I already have two good 15" front stereo speakers coupled with two 6 1/2" rear speakers. I think I'm all set. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

I also have the DSP mode on my amplifier, but have no need to use it.

Thanks very much, everyone. I'll spend the $40 on some CD-Rs and a new desk lamp.
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif
Warthog