Best music sound card?

GSDog · 20 Jun 2006 at 18:46

Hi all,

I am getting bored with my Audigy 2 ZS and I am thinking about buying a new sound card, it will be used mainly for music.

Do you think It'd worth upgrading my Audigy 2 ZS and getting a sound card for music? Will I see a good improvment?

I'm hoping to spend up to £80 and I like the "Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music" but would like your input first.

Thanks.

babyface uk · 20 Jun 2006 at 19:33

Depends on what speakers you are using, If there el cheapo then you won't notice the difference, but if its to a hifi system then you will. I changed from A 2zs to a M-Audio Audiophile 192 ( at about £100 ) and what a difference, but this is with a hifi setup.

Babyface UK

squiffy · 20 Jun 2006 at 19:51

Creative cards are far from the best music cards, checkout M-Audio or cards with EMU0404 chipset.

GSDog · 20 Jun 2006 at 21:53

It will be used with a hifi setup.

Arcam A75+ amp with Monitor Audio S6 speakers.

babyface uk · 20 Jun 2006 at 21:59

Zildjian said:
It will be used with a hifi setup.

Arcam A75+ amp with Monitor Audio S6 speakers.

Defo worth doing, as suggested M-Audio or EMU0404 the way to go.

Babyface UK

GSDog · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:11

Thanks.

I have found M-Audio Audiophile 192 for £93 which seems pretty good.
I probably won't be ordering untill Thursday, so keep the suggestions coming.

babyface uk · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:28

Zildjian said:
Thanks.

I have found M-Audio Audiophile 192 for £93 which seems pretty good.
I probably won't be ordering untill Thursday, so keep the suggestions coming.

Don't forget cables as well, I had to get a 6.3mm jack to RCA phono cable to connect the 192 to my amp. ( unless you already got one )

Babyface UK

fish99 · 20 Jun 2006 at 22:33

192 doesn't have phono outputs then? Maybe the M-Audio 24/96 would be a good option then. Nice and cheap too

Rambaud · 21 Jun 2006 at 08:17

I went for the 192 - it does have phono outputs (via a break-out lead).

Very pleased with it. But now need new speakers.

willhub · 21 Jun 2006 at 08:50

hi, not trying to hijack the thread.

are those HDA X-Plosion sound cards good for music? i seen them on overclockers uk and it seems like there pretty good, and a cheap price.

GSDog · 21 Jun 2006 at 11:47

babyface uk said:
Don't forget cables as well, I had to get a 6.3mm jack to RCA phono cable to connect the 192 to my amp. ( unless you already got one )

Babyface UK

I *think* at the moment I am using a 3.5mm jack to RCA phono to connect my Audigy 2 ZS to my Arcam amp?

I think I will buy a new cable anyway as this is not long enough.
Will I need a 6.3mm jack to RCA phono to connect the M-Audio card to my amp?

I really don't know much about cables etc, this is all chinese to me. What cable would I need to connect the M-Audio card to my Arcam amp?

fish99 · 21 Jun 2006 at 12:12

If it has phono outputs then no, you just need a stereo phono-to-phono cable.

GSDog · 21 Jun 2006 at 12:58

Thanks.

Will this do? http://www.decks.co.uk/products/accessories/cables/hq_ofc_phono_phono

fish99 · 21 Jun 2006 at 13:41

Assuming Rambaud is right about the 192 having phono outputs. I don't quite understand why babyface is using a 6.3mm jack to phono cable if the card has phono outputs, maybe because he already had one of those cables.

As I'm sure you know, you've got a really nice amp and speakers there, so it's probably worth using decent cables. That DJ cable does look a touch on the thin side maybe, dunno if it has much in the way of shielding. Just a regular decent quality hi-fi interconnect is what you're after.

babyface uk · 21 Jun 2006 at 13:48

Zildjian said:
Thanks.

Will this do? http://www.decks.co.uk/products/accessories/cables/hq_ofc_phono_phono

If you choose the M Audio Audiophile 2496 then that cable will be fine, if its the M Audio Audiophile 192 you will need 6.3mm ( XLR ) to Phono http://www.decks.co.uk/products/accessories/cables/cable_xlrm_phono

Check as the picture shows Xlr female where as you need XLR male ( as in the item description )

Or google for xlr to phono cable.

Babyface UK

babyface uk · 21 Jun 2006 at 13:50

fish99 said:
Assuming Rambaud is right about the 192 having phono outputs. I don't quite understand why babyface is using a 6.3mm jack to phono cable if the card has phono outputs, maybe because he already had one of those cables.

It don't, it has to outputs that look like phono but are infact S/PDIF I/O

Babyface UK

fish99 · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:06

Okeydokey, so it doesn't have phono outputs then. We got there in the end

GSDog · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:35

OK, thanks boys.

I think I will go for the 192, looks good and It's a nice price for £90 inc VAT.

I will try and sort out some nice speaker wire later on too, think the ones I am using at the moment is quite cheap.

squiffy · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:41

There's the 2496, at around £50-£60 also...dunno what's the difference.

Scott Salisbury · 21 Jun 2006 at 17:42

Hi, sorry for thread hijack but I own logitech z5500 speakers, would I notice a difference if I change from my audidy2 ZS to the sound cards recommended here? M-Audio for example.

Or is it really just for hifi setups?