Is there any point upgrading?
- Thread starter dango111
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squiffy said:There's more to sound quality than DAC specifications.
I'd be surprised if it was a 32-bit DAC. I expect it's referring to the float format of the audio processor. Either way, there is no advantage of 32-bit over 24-bit because the background noise pretty much anywhere in the world is high enough to render the difference meaningless.
Is the soundcard just going to be for playing music? If it is then the Audiophile 192 will be more than sufficient.
Cheers Stu, I'm just going by the marketting info, so it might not be true 32bit. I use it mainly for watching video, but also for music a significant amount of the time. It's connectted to my hifi (NAD amp & MS speakers), so I'm looking for a "audiophile" solution rather than a gamer's rig. No tinny speakers here, lol!
Ta, dango
Ta, dango
I just upgraded from my Audigy 2 ZS to a M-Audio 192 and it is stunning, music sounds fab. I would highly recommend it, especially as you have a hifi setup.
I needed this cable to connect it to my Arcam amp, it might save you some time.
CLICK HERE!!!!!!!!!!
I needed this cable to connect it to my Arcam amp, it might save you some time.
CLICK HERE!!!!!!!!!!
IMO, the requirement of a gaming card and a movie card is both similar, and different from that used for music.
If movie is equally important to movies for you, then I would not overlook the X-Fi line. Depending on your budget, you have four choices:
- You pick between an regular X-Fi (better for movies), or a M-Audio or EMU card (better for music). Or even a dedicated USB DAC (definitely not a good choice for gaming, but excellent for music). Cheapest option.
- You buy both an X-Fi and a M-Audio/EMU card and get the best of both. Mid-priced option.
- You get a regular X-Fi, and connect it to a DAC (and amp) now or later for your speakers. A good dedicated DAC will beat a good sound card. Potentially the most expensive option.
- You get the Elite Pro edition of the X-Fi. This one is pretty much an EMU 1212M with gaming/movie playback features in one. Probably cost more than getting a 1212M + X-Fi, or a modded 0404 + X-Fi, but you get convenience of only having to deal with one card. Still considered mid-priced when you look at the big picture.
If movie is equally important to movies for you, then I would not overlook the X-Fi line. Depending on your budget, you have four choices:
- You pick between an regular X-Fi (better for movies), or a M-Audio or EMU card (better for music). Or even a dedicated USB DAC (definitely not a good choice for gaming, but excellent for music). Cheapest option.
- You buy both an X-Fi and a M-Audio/EMU card and get the best of both. Mid-priced option.
- You get a regular X-Fi, and connect it to a DAC (and amp) now or later for your speakers. A good dedicated DAC will beat a good sound card. Potentially the most expensive option.
- You get the Elite Pro edition of the X-Fi. This one is pretty much an EMU 1212M with gaming/movie playback features in one. Probably cost more than getting a 1212M + X-Fi, or a modded 0404 + X-Fi, but you get convenience of only having to deal with one card. Still considered mid-priced when you look at the big picture.
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Thanks Zildjian, that could well save me some time.
TooNice - Nice suggestion(s). I've had a look at the X-Fi Elite Pro and I figure that I don't need the external box, so am I right in thinking that the XtremeMusic edition is the same thing just missing the ext box. I like the sound of your two card solution, but I only have one PCI card slot (shuttle-type case).
So what's not good about M-Audio/EMU for movies?
TooNice - Nice suggestion(s). I've had a look at the X-Fi Elite Pro and I figure that I don't need the external box, so am I right in thinking that the XtremeMusic edition is the same thing just missing the ext box. I like the sound of your two card solution, but I only have one PCI card slot (shuttle-type case).
So what's not good about M-Audio/EMU for movies?
No, the Platinum is the Extreme Music without a bay.
The Fatal1ty is the Platinum with 64MB of RAM.
The Elite Pro is not the Fatal1ty with an external box (minus the bay).
The DAC and op-amp is different, and the same used in the EMU 1212M. It is not so much that the the later is poor for movies, but it is just a case that the former has features I find very nice for movies.. most notably CMSS. It is not something I'd use for music (or even games, though many would vouch for it), but I find the CMSS + good Stereo headphone to be bliss in terms of surround beating my surround speakers for everything except DVDs using Dolby Digital/DTS.. and even then. Now granted I am not sure if it works just as well for stereo speakers, I've not really tried to run my speaker in surround.
The Fatal1ty is the Platinum with 64MB of RAM.
The Elite Pro is not the Fatal1ty with an external box (minus the bay).
The DAC and op-amp is different, and the same used in the EMU 1212M. It is not so much that the the later is poor for movies, but it is just a case that the former has features I find very nice for movies.. most notably CMSS. It is not something I'd use for music (or even games, though many would vouch for it), but I find the CMSS + good Stereo headphone to be bliss in terms of surround beating my surround speakers for everything except DVDs using Dolby Digital/DTS.. and even then. Now granted I am not sure if it works just as well for stereo speakers, I've not really tried to run my speaker in surround.