BEST SOUND CARD

[IbZa]

What is the best sound card out there?? (do not mention SB Platinum)

[Stan]

Well, as you do not allow us to mention the best one... that's going to be difficult...

Maybe... the SBLive X-Gamer!!! ot the SBLive MP3 ?
Stan

[vfrxsw]

What is your maximum price and what do you want to do with it, then we could give you an answer

[seti]

I'd say live! x-gamer 5.1.

But a live! value perfectly fine.

[IbZa]

I am willing to spend ~$100 on the sound card, what I want is 4 speaker output, crystal clear, I mean CRYSTAL CLEAR sound, even if the speakers set to MAX volume, you know non of that hissing sound that just makes me wanna throw my speakers out of the window, and superb 3D and surrounded sound experience. I've heard/read that Monster Sound MX400 can deliver such things, but I want an opinion from the experinced users. If SB Platinum is the way to go, then be it, I am going to have to reach deep down my pockets and fish out extra 50-70 bucks, well anyway let me know if you can

[seti]

I'd go for a SB Live! Value Digital connected to either Cambridge FPS 1500's or FPS 1800's.

It won't knock the house down, but should be plenty loud. Fairly inexpensive (I'm guessing under $175usd for the live! and 1500's). And you get the digital connection which does wonders for hiss. I have a live! x-gamer/dtt2500 set up and hiss only becomes apparent well beyond comfortable levels.

You can always spend more though.

edit

oops, I see now that you'd have to go to the FPS 2000's to get the digital connection.

[This message has been edited by seti (edited 10-09-2000).]

[neo_otyugh]

i have been pretty happy with an sblive value with cambridge fps1000 speakers, i may get hiss at higher volumes, but by then the ringing in my ears drowns it out, that and the neighbors pounding on the walls mutes it too.

[Warthog]

CRYSTAL CLEAR sound, even if the speakers set to MAX volume

If you have **** speakers, no sound card on this planet will ever make them sound better.

Plus, as neo_otyugh said, it will be sooooooo loud that you won't have to worry about it. I have a REAL stereo hooked up to my comp. The absolute MAX I turn the knob to, is about 1/3 of the total volume. That, my friend, is LOUD.

Warthog

[IbZa]

.....neighbors pounding on walls..... LOL I like that, ok then I want my self high quality REAL audio system,like 4or5 speakers and a subwoofer with heart pounding power. so any suggestions? and should I go with SB Platinum or can I settle at Monster Sound MX400??

[vfrxsw]

No reason to get the sblive platinum unless you need the extra input/outputs the "live drive" provides. I added the live drive 2 to get the inputs i wanted but that was an extra $150. For $100 you have 3 choices sblive, MX400, or Turtle Beach Santa Cruz

[Warthog]

Get the SB Live Value. I think it's $50. It's the best soundcard out there. I have one. As stated, the Platinum has the Live drive - 5 1/4" panel with inputs for instruments. You don't need that unless you want to plug in your instruments.

If you want top quality sound, get a REAL stereo. This is what I will have in less than a week:
Boston Acoustics CR-6 - $199 pair
Boston Acoustics 10" sub - $450

THAT is rocking. You can't get much better.

If you want good PC speakers, get the Creative Labs setup that was mentioned (FPS 2000 I think). But they won't even compare to the BA setup.

Warthog

[jad1097]

If you get the SB live value be sure it has the digital output, some the the value cards do not have digital output.

[Prospero]

You might look at the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, it's in your price range. Some people have great luck with the Live line of cards, and some people don't. They do kind of hog pci bandwidth, and can cause some problems in raid configurations.

[IbZa]

ok then, MONSTER SOUND MX400 or Turtle Beach Santa Cruz?!?!?! Remember I need digital, NO HISS sound (audio sys. will be good), and good mp3 playback quality, and extraction (but I think that's the job of CD-ROM)

[IbZa]

Ok now I went out there and got myself FPS1800 and now whant to connect it to a CL Sound Blaster..... but which one?? X Gamer or MP3+ or ????? Just tell me the difference betweeen them. Or should I just stick to MX400??

[IbZa]

c'mon post something already!!!

[Undertow]

I don't know how many times I have to tell you all, X-Games, Value, MP3, Platinum all use the EXACT same sound card. The only damned difference is the other s*** that comes in the box. If you value your money, hence the name, get the SBLive! Value. Other than the extra packaged goodies, it doesn't make a **** bit of difference.

[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 10-11-2000).]

[IbZa]

ok, ok, I don't need any bundle software like games etc. cause I think we all know how to get them http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif, I just need a good, solid sound card that would go with my FPS1800. SB Live Value, differ from MP3 and XGamer just because it doesn't have any bundle software?!?! But what about quality of playback???

[Warthog]

If you're thinking about the Santa Cruz, then you might as well get the superior (IMO) but cheaper SB Live MP3+ or similar Creative Labs card. It's about $10 cheaper.

List of CL cards: http://192.216.185.10/mwave/ProdMM-SS-CRE.hmx?UID=&CID=&updepts=MM-SS&DNAME=%3Cb%3EMultimedia%2DSound+Cards%3C%2Fb%3E&back=ProdMM-SS-CRE.hmx?

List of TB cards: http://192.216.185.10/mwave/ProdSOU-TUR.hmx?UID=&CID=&updepts=MM-SS&DNAME=%3Cb%3EMultimedia%2DSound+Cards%3C%2Fb%3E&Back=ProdSOU-TUR.hmx?

Do a search on this forum for the best sound card. In each thread, you will see

SB Live

in each persons post.

BTW, I don't see any advantage when using Digital Output. I used analog for awhile and then switched to digital. No difference noticed.

Warthog

[Undertow]

Quality of playback etc is all very good, because as far as the sound quality what's on the box doesn't matter. Like I said, X-Gamer, Mp3, etc all have the same card inside, the only difference is gadgets/software that come with it. I know, My friend bought a few of them and I laughed my *** off at him for buying the same thing each time and paying hundreds of dollars for software.

[This message has been edited by Undertow (edited 10-11-2000).]

[Warthog]

I agree with Undertow.

BTW, demanding answers isn't going to get you anywhere at this forum.

Warthog

[Underclocked]

I've a differing opinion. Experience with high dollar sound cards has only shown me that you can buy a lot of bells and whistles for more money, but not much (if any) improvement in produced sound quality.
Far better to invest in some terrific speakers and save a few bucks with something like a nice SB PCI128.
Check the specs as far as they go and I think you'll see little justification to go for the higher priced stuff.

[[hd580]]

As far as hissing goes, I'd think that's more of a product of your system's PSU generating noise than anything else. Not even just PSU anymore, other devices can cause ground loops. Someone told me once that a 1:1 Transformer (they sell them at Radio shack as ground loop isolators) can alleviate that. Never really worked for me.

By far the most distortion free sound I've ever heard out of a sound card was one that was external and powered independent of the computer (Roland SC-7). I wish they'd start making more external sound modules. You'd think noise cancellation would be a big issue...

[RobRich]

I normally would say a SB Live. Now I would recommend trying the VideoLogic Sound Fury, as I personally believe it sounds slightly better than current Creative Lab's offerings. Opinions vary depending on the person listening, however.

Here's a link:

http://www.videologic.com/Press/SonicFury.htm

Good Luck,
Robert Richmond

[IbZa]

ok, ok, I'm sorry I was a bit in a rush

[IbZa]

Robert this is international store, I have searched all the stores for the same sound card and i can't find!!! Were can i get it in US???

[IbZa]

maybe i should i just settle with SB Live! Value.

P.S. The only difference between SB Live! Value and other Live! cards (X-Gamer, Platinum, etc) is the software bundle, and Voice Polyphony. Value has 192 Voice Polyphony all others have 1024 Voice Polyphony. The chipset, engine, etc. is all the same.

[Erap!]

Creative Soundblaster pro 8-bit ISA!!!

[reddog4629]

SB Live Value for me. :--)

[IbZa]

that is what i used to have on my old machine http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Erap!]

hahaha i was kidding! If you have great speakers then go for the high end Live cards but if u have little speakers then it doesnt make a diff http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif