Sound Cards

[rusty bumper]

Hi All,

Any recommendations for a good sound card?

I am using onboard sound for now, but it sounds a little fuzzy at times.

I was told that Sound Blaster was a good choice, especially the 64 bit cards.

I was thinking about 24 bit myself.

[Tom Weed]

Hey Rusty Bumper,

I have a Sound Blaster Audigy in one of my home PC's that I built, and my other PC is a Dell with onboard sound built into the motherboard. I can't really tell too much difference between the two, the Soundblaster may sound a little better, but I also have a better speaker setup with it also.

I guess the question I would ask is, what are you wanting this card to do? Sound Blaster cards are very good cards IMHO and I've always had good luck with them.

Tom

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by Tom Weed
Hey Rusty Bumper,

I have a Sound Blaster Audigy in one of my home PC's that I built, and my other PC is a Dell with onboard sound built into the motherboard. I can't really tell too much difference between the two, the Soundblaster may sound a little better, but I also have a better speaker setup with it also.

I guess the question I would ask is, what are you wanting this card to do? Sound Blaster cards are very good cards IMHO and I've always had good luck with them.

Tom

Hi Tom,

Instead of paying for a really good set of computer speakers, I decided to hook up my old 23 watt Onkyo stereo receiver as the amp for my computer sound, since it has good sound quality anyway. I then found a pair of decent sounding SONY speakers for $50.00.

I have the computer sound channeled through the Onkyo, and the Onkyo drives the speakers.....Not to mention that I can play the radio, or a portable CD player with this setup.

I'm mainly just looking for 2 channel sound, but I might add a subwoofer later on.

Will I have any problems playing 2 channel sound with a 5.1 or greater sound card?

[Tom Weed]

Hey,
I replied and sent you a PM since I didn't want to post a link on here to the Soundblaster web site...

[the other pc]

I always use my Soundblaster Audigy in stereo mode. Mostly with headphones since my 5.1 amp puked . Actually I used stereo mode when I did have speakers because I didn't have enough room for the others.


PC.

[JeffM]

I would get the audigy2 zs, otherwise use onboard.

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by the other pc
I always use my Soundblaster Audigy in stereo mode. Mostly with headphones since my 5.1 amp puked . PC.

I tried an Altec Lansing 3pc. set for my pc, but it sounded like trash.

The Onkyo made more sense to me, since it is a dedicated amp anyway. I don't have to deal with all of the extra wires that comes with computer speakers either. Plus, I was able to use Monster XP for my speaker connections too.....Big advantage there!

I chose the SONY speakers after researching some speaker reports on the subject.

Not a bad setup for just $60.00.......Just need to bypass the inboard sound.

[LnkPrkSoldier]

ok, now this is where i shine. my entire family and friends ask me about this. well first of all, i need to ask the questions, how good of quality do you want? what speaker setup do you have now and are you going to continue to have the same??? and what is your price limit for the card? if i don't respond, please pm me. i would love to be of serice for you.

[rusty bumper]

I posted my setup near the top of the thread......I'm looking to spend at least $20.00 to $40.00 for real good sound. (I hope)

[LnkPrkSoldier]

hmm in that price range your best bet will be an Augigy 2. that it not enough money for an audigy 2 zs or an audigy 2 zs platinum, none the less, you will be happy with the results against onboard sound. have you tried changing the drivers? you may not even need to buy a sound card...

[rusty bumper]

I think I have the latest sound driver, but I'll double check to make sure.

Thanks for bringing that up!

[LnkPrkSoldier]

np amigo

[atclew]

Originally posted by LnkPrkSoldier
hmm in that price range your best bet will be an Augigy 2. that it not enough money for an audigy 2 zs or an audigy 2 zs platinum, none the less, you will be happy with the results against onboard sound. have you tried changing the drivers? you may not even need to buy a sound card...

I'll just chime in and echo your comments. I have a Sound Blaster Audigy card, using a 2.1 electro-static and subwoofer set-up and it sounds awesome compared to the on-board sound that I was using before. And yes, I'm a fan of electro-static speakers!