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Now that my ancient Creative Audigy has finally bitten the dust its time for a new one.
I got 2 X-FI music's from ebuyer (scan were out of stock) and they both suffered from the apparently common fault of awful sound (crackling and popping) so i'm on the hunt for a different one.
I use it mostly for 2 channel audio connected to my Arcam amplifier with a nice pair of B&W 602 speakers :D.
Any suggestions please?
does it have / do you use an optical connection?
I was using coax before it died, however the amp has both optical and coax. I would like to keep using digital if at all possible
If you'd said *only* 2-channel I could have recommended the Onkyo Wavio, which is easily the best card out there if you don't want all the multi-channel dung and bloatware which comes with most offerings today. If you need multi-channel too, but really want good stereo, then M-Audio is the way to go in my opinion.
I do like the look of that ONKYO Wavio, might you know where it can be bought from?Quote:
Originally Posted by Agrippa
Just thought i would point out i dont think M-Audio have vista support yetQuote:
Originally Posted by Agrippa
M-audio do great cards, but their windows drivers are awful, or at least they were.
2 of my friends have delta pro cards and they are perfectly fine on XP, much more stable than my old emu 1212m and my current XFI.
I'm afraid the only place I know of is here in Norway. Doubt it's of any use to you, but in case it is the links are:Quote:
Originally Posted by mrwacko
Onkyo Wavio SE-90PCI - approx. £115
Onkyo Wavio SE-150PCI - approx. £150
Not a lot on those pages which needs translation I guess.
Actually, the more expensive one is a 7.1 card I see. Never noticed that before, as I've no interest in multi-channel.
MMM if the onkyo was more widely available it'd probably snap it up, but since as its not M-Audio might be the route. There doesnt seem to be much of a selection outside of creative.
Any more sugestions?
Thankyou for the advice thus far
Well, I'm sure the Razer Barracuda AC-1 will do a reasonable job too. :-)
id quite liek the barracuda. How about the terratec?
The barracuda looks very nice, the reviews arn't amazing though. For a £130 card I would hope for a very good write up
Terratec aye? Have you used this biscuit?
no i havent mate, heard some good things but not had any experience. I think name puts me off. :(
No Terratec experience here either, but have heard much good about it. Can't vouch for any of it unfortunately.
I'd say wait for the new X-Fi based Auzentech card, or if you want to buy it in a short period of time than go for the Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1, it's based on C-Media's OxygenHD (CMI-8788), and it has superb sound quality.
http://www.auzentech.com/site/images...ybig_front.jpg
Edit: Typo.
Bluegears b-Enspirer is based on C-Media's OxygenHD (CMI-8788) and at a better price £70
review
http://www.elitebastards.com/cms/ind...1&limitstart=2
Stockist
http://www.wired2fire.co.uk/product_...ducts_id=15720
Specs on that auzentech look pretty good, If I bought that I think i'd have to clean my ears more often though :/
Nox
Heh, never heard from the company till now, but hey the Omega card looks like a quality product.Quote:
Originally Posted by redlight
Learned something new today. :)
Terratec cards can be quite nice, I have the DMX 6Fire in another PC. Nice SQ.
They seem to support 64bit Windows flavours as well, which is nice :)
All good suggestions here thankyou
I saw a Auzentech card on scan and liked to look of it:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=579624
But its been on pre-order since forever. I've seen it in stock elsewhere so i might go for that
Quote:
Originally Posted by sutyi
any ideas when this will be available?
Keep a close eye out as stock levels don't appear to have been exactly plentiful. Shops have only just started getting stock this past week or so. I'm guessing that stock will quickly dry up.Quote:
Originally Posted by mrwacko
Its an excellent card that one. It might be a bit too much of the bells and whistles for you though? Sounds great in 2 channel, when connected to a decent av amp via optical or coaxial digital :)Quote:
Originally Posted by mrwacko
Thats just what I want. I'm thinking ill probably go for that one when I can find somewhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by Clunk
Thank you
Yeah there is load of the x-meridian around, but the x-plosion is another game althogether
Wow, they`re everywhere this week. Too bad I just flew to Akihabara in Tokyo and spent 3 hours walking around trying to find one. BTW Akihabara is so over. The prices are all insane (higher than UK online prices), they don`t negotiate at all, and many of the PC components shops are closing - being replaced by weird otaku shops and maid cafe`s. At least I found one eventually but I might as well have just ordered it online if I knew they`d be available this week. But.....I also picked up an Onkyo SE200PCI soundcard, and this thing looks wicked...will probably use this instead of the Auzen anyway.
i think im guna get that auzentech one when i replace my XFI. Looks the dogs!