Help me choose a soundcard.

[Mr Evil]

I'm looking into buying a new 5.1 soundcard, but seemingly basic features seem to be poorly documented or missing from most cards.

There are a few things that must be present:

• S/PDIF input (to route my other soundcard through).
• Separate headphone connector (so I don't have to keep switching line-out and headphone connectors).
• Internal analogue input (for TV card).
• Bass management (so I don't have to build an external pre-amp to do it).
• Up-mixing stereo to 5.1

So far I've narrowed it down to three that have most of the desired qualities:

• M-Audio Revolution 5.1
  Strangely the specs are better than the 7.1 version (aside from the extra two channels of course, which I don't need). S/PDIF input is lacking, but I could do without it if I have to.
  
• Audiotrak Prodigy 7.1LT
  Low-profile card is good for airflow! This one has no bass management, but it does allow both internal routing of channels and VST effects. I assume that it would be possible to redirect bass from the main channels to the subwoofer via these features, but I'm not sure. Does anyone know if this is possible and how it would work? The S/PDIF input is internal, clearly intended for connecting optical drives, but it should be no problem to make a cable to connect it to the coaxial output of my other card.
  
• Terratec Aurion 7.1 Universe
  Significantly more expensive than the others, but has a useful 5.25" module with unusual phono preamp, which is nice. It has no documented bass management. Is there no way to redirect bass to the subwoofer with this card? There is also no mention of how it handles upmixing stereo->5.1, or if it even does it at all. Does anyone know how it behaves here? Most cards that I've had experience with that don't have any specific function for this will just clone the front two channels to the rear channels, which is acceptable, but I want to be sure.

[lucpes]

Hi,

You might want to browse these forums a bit:

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=59

[demogorgon]

Well, the terratec is in terms of sound quality a couple of levels above the audigy 2, so not audiophile in any way, thats for shure.
the box is nice though..

I think the M-Audio would be the way to go, i hear only good things about it.
The prodigy looked, well, like to many compromises have been made in order to decreas board size.

[Mr Evil]

Originally posted by lucpes
Hi,

You might want to browse these forums a bit:

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=59

I did browse that site already but couldn't find what I was looking for. If no one here knows anything then I suppose I'll have to go and register there and ask.

Originally posted by demogorgon
Well, the terratec is in terms of sound quality a couple of levels above the audigy 2, so not audiophile in any way, thats for shure.
the box is nice though..

I think the M-Audio would be the way to go, i hear only good things about it.
The prodigy looked, well, like to many compromises have been made in order to decreas board size.

I have read many reviews of all three, and all have been nothing but positive. I'm sure the sound quality of all of them will be adequate for my needs, it's the features which are the decider for me.

Small size can be good too you know, with reduced path lengths for lower stray inductance and reduced noise pickup.

[demogorgon]

Well, i tend to not base my purchases on reviews unless it's pages i trust and they compare the products against each other, and especially with computer soundcards, cause there are usally unexperianced listeners doing the review and they use quite often ordinary computer speakers, and we all know those lousy 5.1 sattelite-sub systems isn't the "Hi" of Fi..

and maby thats why you have only read good reviews of the cards?

as for size, I guess you have a point, but i see most of the offerings i know from personal experience fills the boards out quite nicly, so what has been cut out from prodigy to make it that small? everything is tradeoffs remember.. there is no such thing as uncompromising..

regards
marius

[Mr Evil]

Originally posted by demogorgon
Well, i tend to not base my purchases on reviews unless it's pages i trust and they compare the products against each other, and especially with computer soundcards, cause there are usally unexperianced listeners doing the review and they use quite often ordinary computer speakers, and we all know those lousy 5.1 sattelite-sub systems isn't the "Hi" of Fi..

and maby thats why you have only read good reviews of the cards?

I did find some sites that had comparisons between two or more of them, and also several that had noise and THD measurements. Many of them were from reputable audio-related sites. None of them gave me any cause for concern. No, it's not possible to completely trust any review, but it's the best information I can go on.


Thus far I am actually leaning towards the Prodigy. I note that the Revolution has not had driver updates in some time and the lack of S/PDIF input is off-putting. The Aurreon turns out to be lacking in the bass management and stereo->surround upmixing, after I e-mailed Terratec about it. They also reportedly have the lowest quality drivers. The Prodigy is thus the only one that potentially has everything I'm looking for (except internal analogue input, but it's no problem to run a cable to the outside instead). I'm just waiting to hear from Audiotrak to confirm that it really is possible to acheive bass management via a VST plugin (I know such plugins exist). Their "DirectWire" thingy is also a big plus, as internal routing of sounds is something that has often made it more difficult to accomplish a task.

[filholder]

I have heard a lot of sounds card since many of my friends make music as hobbyist and i normally build the computer for them. All i can say is that the M-audio solutions i have heard are the best i have heard. Not that big on features but if it is solid sound quality you are after that would be my choice.

It is the closest any of the PCs i have heard to proper Hi-Fi. Not hifi but getting there.


Defintely a step up from audigy which in them selves for the price are leaps and bounds above any onboard solutions and not bad.


Fil