Are you using speakers or headphones?
Difference in technical capabilities is bigger in headphone output.
I think it really depends on what the headset is. If it's a cheap headset, then I doubt the £120 cost would be worth it.
The above post is a good example of when the AE-5 can be worth the cost, as the K712 headphones need a decent amp.
The Z doesn't really have a proper headphone amp in the same way the AE-5 and other similar cards do, but it's more than enough for anything that can be considered easy to drive (most headsets with a microphone). K712 and other AKG headphones are a bit too demanding for the Z to get the best from them.
Personally upgraded from a Z to AE-5 and sound is definitely better for my AKG712's.
But I also got the new G6 and that is better again, so imo get the G6 which is a similar price to the AE-5.
Had a little look at the G6, So you reckon the G6 is better for gaming instead of the AE-5? What did you find better with the G6 over the AE-5?
One consideration - if you are using a mic for gaming I've never found an internal soundcard (even shielded ones) that you didn't need to noise gate or similar to get good results - external ones other than cheap junk usually have cleaner mic pickup.
Couple of things;
- It has better signal to noise ratio being an external unit, I find the AE5 has a very very slight background hiss at high volumes and quiet sound effects, the G6 doesn't. Normal volumes though you probably wouldn't notice.
- G6 has an external control unit, finer volume control and much more convenient changing to different headphones.
- AE5 only supports stereo over optical out, G6 does 5.1 dolby digital
- G6 has optical in supporting 5.1 dolby digital
Negatives
- No LED strip support
- No 5.1 analog out
Apart from the above they are pretty much identical in features & control, in my opinion the G6 is the more flexible unit being external and works with more than just PC's (eg consoles and home theater setups, even phones although it will cane your battery).
How did you get 5.1 optical out working on the g6? Apparently it’s not supported. And I can’t get it working either.
Thanks I’m pleased about that it’s saved me a bit of money.Can't see how that can be worth it if you have no problem with the SB Z.
The SB Z is acting as a digital transport for SBX. Getting an AE5, it would be doing the same. There is no gain in sound quality to be had, because it's digital data; as long as the card in question is functioning properly.
Replacing the SB Z with an AE5, would only be worth it if you use the headphones with the sound card directly, or if there is some driver/software issue stopping the SB Z from working as it should do.