Ok so 2 questions.
Which is the best internal soundcard to use complete i.e digital to analog all internal, for say under 500 dollars.
And which is the best card to use if you are going to just use it as a 'feeder' card to an external DAC or processor to DAC type config.
Pretty straight forward questions that i think can be answered succinctly since it is an opinion poll.
Which is the best internal soundcard to use complete i.e digital to analog all internal, for say under 500 dollars.
And which is the best card to use if you are going to just use it as a 'feeder' card to an external DAC or processor to DAC type config.
Pretty straight forward questions that i think can be answered succinctly since it is an opinion poll.
WWW.zzsounds.com 
And man i did not know the Turtle Beach Sanata Cruz was so highly regarded. Its right up there in the top 15 'gold' cards. The Audigy 2 didnt make the list. ( there is a link to a comparison test page ) http://www.digitalaudio.com/DIGITAL...S=75&PubID=4401 Doesnt seem to work from my cut and paste link. Just click the link in post above and then middle left on new page is comparison link.
And man i did not know the Turtle Beach Sanata Cruz was so highly regarded. Its right up there in the top 15 'gold' cards. The Audigy 2 didnt make the list. ( there is a link to a comparison test page ) http://www.digitalaudio.com/DIGITAL...S=75&PubID=4401 Doesnt seem to work from my cut and paste link. Just click the link in post above and then middle left on new page is comparison link.
I think the Audigy may suffer too many bells and whistles. I was trying to use one for audio testing with RightMark and it got to be a real nuisance because it was difficult to get it to do simple A to D without mixer software being active. It made the results ambiguos.
I think it is probably great for gamers, and people who want to mix tracks etc. Straight playback from a CD seems pretty good too.
I read a published review that says 24/192 mode gets you a higher THD figure than 24/96, which is the same result I got. I suspect 24/192 maybe accomplished in software somehow rather than hardware and I think the main purpose is compatability with Dolby 5.1 when playing a DVD.
Anyway I like the Santa Cruz better because it is more straight forward to use in testing and the playback THD figure though a bit higher are respectable (<.005)
I think it is probably great for gamers, and people who want to mix tracks etc. Straight playback from a CD seems pretty good too.
I read a published review that says 24/192 mode gets you a higher THD figure than 24/96, which is the same result I got. I suspect 24/192 maybe accomplished in software somehow rather than hardware and I think the main purpose is compatability with Dolby 5.1 when playing a DVD.
Anyway I like the Santa Cruz better because it is more straight forward to use in testing and the playback THD figure though a bit higher are respectable (<.005)
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