Which sound card to upgrade to...

Matt_Hirst

Matt_Hirst

Matt_Hirst

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Currently have a soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS and use Creative Inspire 5.1 digital 5700 speakers am considdering upgrading the sound card but will I see much benefit by doing so? Also what is the current top soundcard to get.


Main uses are for occasional gaming, listening to MP3's, etc, etc.

regards,

Matt
 
Current "top" sound card for listening to music is probably either an X-Fi Titanium or Xonar D1/D2/D2X. Maybe someone else will have some other suggestions, but these are by no means "bad" cards.

Will you notice a difference? I couldn't say for certain as I don't know much about those speakers.. If they are really good then yeah, probably. If not, then no. The ZS was a great card in it's day.
 
Used to have an audigy 2 with those speakers myself. If you intend to use those speakers, no current soundcard supports the 6 channel Digital DIN cable. It died with the Audigy 4.

To continue to use the speakers in 5.1, you would need a card with Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect as the muppets that designed them thought it would be clever to put a 4 channel analogue input connection on 5.1 speakers :rolleyes:

All the cards Global Inferno mentioned will do the job (certainly not 'top' cards but very much adequate for what you require). I'll add the Xonar DS and DX.

If you're thinking of changing speakers or using headphones the recommendations might change though.
 
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Thanx for the responses guys.

Was the audigy 4 any better than audigy 2? Think I have a 4 somewhere.

I like my speakers and don't really have the money to replace them as well as the sound card.

Same but differnt question then, which would you upgrade first, the sound card or the speakers and if so with what?

regards,

Matt
 
The Audigy 4 series was pretty much a rebrand of Audigy 2.

If you intend to keep those speakers nothing is really better suited than an Audigy 2 ZS because of the weird proprietary connections. I would keep what you've got, unless you intend to replace the speakers or get some headphones.
 
If you want the best then dont even think about creative.. the cards are good and games run superbly however this is a waste when compared to a Xonar such as the D2 or D2X. The STX is overkill for your needs and the DG doesnt quite fit so the D2 or D2X is the best bet here.
 
Forgot to ask what speakers would people reccomend for the sound card?

I see there are a set of KEF's in MM would these work with the sound card or would I need an amp as well?

Budget around £200.

Matt
 
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