Lost in choosing sound card..

Mario

Mario

Mario

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Joined
5 Feb 2008
Posts
1,882
Hi all,
Currently i build new rig,but surely not happy with on board sound..
Before i used cheap so called x-fi extreme audio (last drivers from last century 2 Jul 09 LOL ),but i just want something better.
Im playing games for sure,music,video..Mostly i am using headphones,but also connecting to Z506 sometimes..Cant splash much (my wife wont understand why i even need to buy "another" sound card,when i already have one LOL) between 50-70.
Thinking between
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-006-AS&groupid=701&catid=11&subcat=
and
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-065-CL&groupid=701&catid=11&subcat=
Or maybe i can get something cheaper but not that bad like that crappy extreme audio?
Using W7 x64
 
just use your onboard :P

i have a 2nd sound card, an SB audigy thats about 10 years old, does fine :D
 
The Xonar DS provides a clearer more detailed sound than the Extreme Audio. The Extreme tends to boost bass and a produces a warm but muddled sound. The Xonar also has a socket for the OpAmp which allows you to buy other OpAmps for £5-£10 and tweak the sound to your taste. I can recommend the LM4562NA from personal experience.
 
There was a thread recently, where someone mentioned that he bought a Xonar DG to replace his Xtreme Audio. He thought the Xtreme Audio was a better sounding card. I was somewhat surprised by that. Quite a few people don't rate the Xtreme Audio to be much of a card.

I guess it shows that, despite what many might say is the better card, it's entirely down to ones own ears.

A Xonar D1/DX would offer a more guaranteed sound upgrade.
 
Well if you're going to get the D2X you might as well get the STX :p

I upgraded to it from a D2X and the sound is richer with the added benefit of having a dedicated headphone amp too :)
 
The STX is an extra £60 or so!

What are you actually using your sound card for? Gaming and general music playback?
 
No chance i can pay for sound card as much as STX cost,im already stretching my budget,also STX out of stock atm.

Maccy - yes,general use,games,but i have good ears,so onboard sound deffo nono for me :p
I think that D2X should be perfectly good for me.
Just have one qestion - whats the other differencies between D2X and D2 (exept that one using PCI and other PCI-E slot)?Floppy power connection?Is that big problem?
 
I honestly don't think you need to spend the money on the D2X tbh.

The £68 X-Fi Titanium will be sufficient enough, unless you specifically want to spend more and need the RCA output?
 
Maccy said:
I honestly don't think you need to spend the money on the D2X tbh.

The £68 X-Fi Titanium will be sufficient enough, unless you specifically want to spend more and need the RCA output?
Click to expand...

You confusing me :D
Ok..there is 2 X-Fi titaniums - Oem and one Retail i think,thats why it cost more?
And no,i dont want spend more :p
Also,how about Creative problems with drivers in W7 x64?Or they sorted this?
For me 22 quid more not that much if i can get better product..
The funniest thing i have about 2hours left for my decision LOL
 
I honestly couldn't answer your question about the drivers as I'm a Mac user!
If you can warrant spending the extra then go for it, however if you're just going to be connecting up a 2.1/5.1/headphones to it then I would save my cash and go for the X-Fi.

The OEM will come with just the card whereas the Retail will come with other bits (paperwork, etc).
 
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