Which is a better sound card?

ohmystars80 · Sep 16, 2012, 10:54 PM

Which is a better sound card – Creative X-FI Titanium Fatal1ty or the new Recon3D Fatal1ty?
Someone told me the older Titanium card is a better card?
Is that true?

Goodman · Sep 16, 2012, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohmystars80

Which is a better sound card – Creative X-FI Titanium Fatal1ty or the new Recon3D Fatal1ty?
Someone told me the older Titanium card is a better card?
Is that true?

What kind of speakers or sound system are you using or wanted to use with the sound card?

If you only using cheap speakers (price) I'll say don't bother & use the on-board sound which is pretty good now a days unless your doing some serious sound recording work or HTPC the on-board sound will do just fine

Frag Maniac · Sep 17, 2012, 12:06 AM

I've read a fair bit about how the Sound Core3D compares to the X-Fi chipset in design and sound, and I would honestly steer clear of it.

The "quad core" moniker is no more than an embellishment, and in fact this design swaps hardware decoding for Digital Sound Processing. Unlike the X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty and Xonar Essence, it doesn't even have dedicated op-amps unless you step up to the $250 model.

That's why these cards, esp the base and mid models, are practically bare of components on the PCB, whereas decent cards are packed with them. They are merely relying on sound processing firmware programmed into the DSP for sound quality.

One review said the mid model doesn't sound better enough than the base model to be worth paying $50 more for, but the most telling review was on an AsRock MB comparing a Sound Core3D chip to a Realtek HD chip.

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum...review-17.html

My philosophy is onboard sound starting out, because it's all fairly high quality HD Audio now. Then once you can afford $150 or more, put it into a receiver, not a sound card. If you buy during the first few months after the Superbowl, you can commonly get $300 receivers for $150.

eidairaman1 · Sep 17, 2012, 12:28 AM

Only other choice is HT Omega

BumbleBee · Sep 17, 2012, 12:36 AM

I like the Asus Xonar DG/X. it's only $25-30 and you get a lot. Cirrus Logic DAC, Cirrus Logic ADC, Creative DSP, JRC Headphone Amp, Dolby Headphone, GX2.5, digital out, multi-channel analog out.

the Xonar Unified Drivers are pretty nice and you can get them to work under Windows 8.

http://brainbit.wordpress.com/

I don't feel the more expensive sound cards are worth the money. some of the designs are really old and these companies don't revise or support them. you can get Onkyo receiver packages or DA converters and class a/b/t amplifiers for a couple hundred dollars.

Frag Maniac · Sep 17, 2012, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eidairaman1

Only other choice is HT Omega

This reminds me of another problem with most sound cards. Most cannot take the optical input from a TV and convert it to 5.1. The only one I know of that can is the HT Omega Claro, and they're not cheap. So if it's for multipurpose use that includes watching TV, keep that in mind.

Phusius · Sep 17, 2012, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BumbleBee

I like the Asus Xonar DG/X. it's only $25-30 and you get a lot. Cirrus Logic DAC, Cirrus Logic ADC, Creative DSP, JRC Headphone Amp, Dolby Headphone, GX2.5, digital out, multi-channel analog out.

the Xonar Unified Drivers are pretty nice and you can get them to work under Windows 8.

http://brainbit.wordpress.com/

I don't feel the more expensive sound cards are worth the money. some of the designs are really old and these companies don't revise or support them. you can get Onkyo receiver packages or DA converters and class a/b/t amplifiers for a couple hundred dollars.

The Xonar DG is great for the price. Got mine for $15, and wow... very impressive.

LAN_deRf_HA · Sep 17, 2012, 01:58 AM

I'd say neither. Look for a deal on the Titanium HD. On the bay, a forum, newegg shell shocker. Got mine for $100 and recently did opamp upgrades on it. Never been more pleased with my sound.

Jetster · Sep 18, 2012, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BumbleBee

I like the Asus Xonar DG/X. it's only $25-30 and you get a lot. Cirrus Logic DAC, Cirrus Logic ADC, Creative DSP, JRC Headphone Amp, Dolby Headphone, GX2.5, digital out, multi-channel analog out.

the Xonar Unified Drivers are pretty nice and you can get them to work under Windows 8.

http://brainbit.wordpress.com/

I don't feel the more expensive sound cards are worth the money. some of the designs are really old and these companies don't revise or support them. you can get Onkyo receiver packages or DA converters and class a/b/t amplifiers for a couple hundred dollars.

I just ordered the Xonar DGX. So what the difference between the ASUS drivers the those you recommend

http://www.asus.com/Multimedia/Audio..._DGX/#download

http://brainbit.wordpress.com/

eidairaman1 · Sep 18, 2012, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetster

I just ordered the Xonar DGX. So what the difference between the ASUS drivers the those you recommend

http://www.asus.com/Multimedia/Audio..._DGX/#download

http://brainbit.wordpress.com/

End User Fixes- the Person got tired of waiting for Asus to fix crap

http://brainbit.wordpress.com/category/uni-xonar/

both the drivers are 1807 betas

BumbleBee · Sep 18, 2012, 07:41 AM

a lot of people think they sound better. a lot of bugs have been fixed and improved across the board. check the changelog.

eidairaman1 · Sep 18, 2012, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BumbleBee

a lot of people think they sound better. a lot of bugs have been fixed and improved across the board. check the changelog.

i can only guess the creator of those non OEM drivers did some major tweaks/ code changes.

hell id give then a whirl actually, just make sure before you install them to do a system restore backup.

BumbleBee · Sep 18, 2012, 08:29 AM

I wouldn't know. this is my sound card

eidairaman1 · Sep 18, 2012, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BumbleBee

I wouldn't know. this is my sound card

http://i.imgur.com/Omqsb.jpg

what inputs/outputs that sucker got? I notice the Incoming sampling rate light too.

OneMoar · Sep 18, 2012, 08:45 AM

creative doesn't make quality ANYTHING anymore
if you want awesome sound you need to be looking at a xonar or a HT OMEGA
ffs creative just ... uninstall already
http://www.htomega.com/

eidairaman1 · Sep 18, 2012, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneMoar

creative doesn't make quality hardware anymore
if you want awesome sound you need to be looking at a xonar or a HT OMEGA fk creative

the one thing they had going was EAX, MS borked it with Vista (D3D I think is dead too) and that applies today

OneMoar · Sep 18, 2012, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eidairaman1

the one thing they had going was EAX, MS borked it with Vista (D3D I think is dead too) and that applies today

I was not sad at all when Microsoft killed the propitiatory audio eax crap with the release of vista seriouslyu direct-sound NEEDED to die it was a pain in the ass for everybody and caused nothing but issues
/me silently waits for creative to go bankrupt

BumbleBee · Sep 18, 2012, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eidairaman1

what inputs/outputs that sucker got? I notice the Incoming sampling rate light too.

lots

unbalanced RCA out
balanced XLR out

coaxial out, toslink out

coaxial in, toslink in
coaxial in, toslink in
USB in

eidairaman1 · Sep 18, 2012, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneMoar

I was not sad at all when Microsoft killed the propitiatory audio eax crap with the release of vista seriouslyu direct-sound NEEDED to die it was a pain in the ass for everybody and caused nothing but issues
/me silently waits for creative to go bankrupt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectS...ta.2FWindows_7

OneMoar · Sep 18, 2012, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eidairaman1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectS...ta.2FWindows_7

and ?
old tech was old creative was warned several times by microsoft they didn't head the warning

/backontopic
if you are gonna spend money on a sound card
go all the way middle of the road cards are a complete waste of time
but if you have sub 100 dollar headphones/speakers. .. pfff don't bother

eidairaman1 · Sep 18, 2012, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BumbleBee

lots

http://i.imgur.com/k2n2K.jpg

unbalanced RCA out (SPDIF)
balanced XLR out- Cannon Jack ( Professional Audio)

coaxial out, toslink out (SPDIF)(FiberOptic)

coaxial in, toslink in (SPDIF)(FiberOptic)
coaxial in, toslink in (SPDIF)(FiberOptic)
USB in

hmm no TRS 3.5mm(Common) or 6.35mm(Professional Audio) Jacks

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneMoar

and ?
old tech was old creative was warned several times by microsoft they didn't head the warning

/backontopic
if you are gonna spend money on a sound card
go all the way middle of the road cards are a complete waste of time
but if you have sub 100 dollar headphones/speakers. .. pfff don't bother

Listen I wasnt arguing or trying to argue with you. I was only providing info for everyone as to why this stuff was happening, so take a chill pill

BumbleBee · Sep 18, 2012, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eidairaman1

hmm no TRS 3.5mm(Common) or 6.35mm(Professional Audio) Jacks

Listen I wasnt arguing or trying to argue with you. I was only providing info for everyone as to why this stuff was happening.

it's a DA converter. it doesn't have an amplifier. that is what this 10lb monstrosity is for

http://bursonaudio.com/Burson_HA160.htm

eidairaman1 · Sep 18, 2012, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BumbleBee

it's a DA converter. it doesn't have an amplifier. that is what this 10lb monstrosity is for

http://bursonaudio.com/Burson_HA160.htm

thats what id use for a Home THeater setup if the speakers had that style connection lol

Jetster · Sep 27, 2012, 10:34 AM

Today I received my ASUS Xonar DGX. installed with the stock drivers and it works. Did hear much difference with the speakers but the headphones sound great. Didn't have much time to mes with it.

BumbleBee · Sep 27, 2012, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetster

Today I received my ASUS Xonar DGX. installed with the stock drivers and it works. Did hear much difference with the speakers but the headphones sound great. Didn't have much time to mes with it.

great. uninstall the stock drivers and try the Xonar Unified ones.

Sep 16, 2012, 10:54 PM	#1
ohmystars80 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: In the Stars Posts: 16 (0.01/day) Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Which is a better sound card? Which is a better sound card – Creative X-FI Titanium Fatal1ty or the new Recon3D Fatal1ty? Someone told me the older Titanium card is a better card? Is that true? __________________ *Have Uter, will Comp..*

System Name:	Main PC
Processor:	PII 925 @3.724GHz (266x14) 1.525v NB 2660 1.425v
Motherboard:	Gigabyte AM3 GA-890XA-UD3 (790x+SB850)
Cooling:	Scythe Mugen 2 rev.B
Memory:	Hyperx 8GB (2x4) 1600@1418 8-7-7-20-27-1t
Video Card:	Sapphire 6850 Stock (Max Overclock 1030/1200)
Hard Disk:	1x1TB WD Green / 1x1TB Seagate
Optical Drive:	LG 20x DVD+RW Sata
CRT/LCD Model:	LCD Samsung 24" 16:9
Case:	Cooler Master HAF 912
Sound Card:	On-Board HD
PSU:	CM 750w GX \|3.3v@25a\|5v@25a\|12v@60a
Software:	Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
Benchmarks:	later...

Sep 17, 2012, 12:06 AM	#3
Frag Maniac Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,435 (1.55/day) Thanks: 10 Thanked 243 Times in 210 Posts System Specs	I've read a fair bit about how the Sound Core3D compares to the X-Fi chipset in design and sound, and I would honestly steer clear of it. The "quad core" moniker is no more than an embellishment, and in fact this design swaps hardware decoding for Digital Sound Processing. Unlike the X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty and Xonar Essence, it doesn't even have dedicated op-amps unless you step up to the $250 model. That's why these cards, esp the base and mid models, are practically bare of components on the PCB, whereas decent cards are packed with them. They are merely relying on sound processing firmware programmed into the DSP for sound quality. One review said the mid model doesn't sound better enough than the base model to be worth paying $50 more for, but the most telling review was on an AsRock MB comparing a Sound Core3D chip to a Realtek HD chip. http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum...review-17.html My philosophy is onboard sound starting out, because it's all fairly high quality HD Audio now. Then once you can afford $150 or more, put it into a receiver, not a sound card. If you buy during the first few months after the Superbowl, you can commonly get $300 receivers for $150. Last edited by Frag Maniac; Sep 17, 2012 at 12:14 AM.

Processor:	Intel i7 950 @ 3.2GHz
Motherboard:	ASUS P6X58D-E
Cooling:	Corsair H50 push/pull
Memory:	Kingston HyperX 1600 6GB
Video Card:	Sapphire HD 7970 OC @ 1000 Core
Hard Disk:	Plextor M5P 128GB/Seagate 1TB Barracuda
Optical Drive:	ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
CRT/LCD Model:	Panasonic TC-L32U3
Case:	Antec DF-85
Sound Card:	Yamaha RX-V371 AVR
PSU:	XFX 850w Black Edition
Software:	W7 Ultimate 64 bit

Sep 17, 2012, 12:28 AM	#4
eidairaman1 Eligible for custom title Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: HTX Posts: 10,080 (4.68/day) Thanks: 1,359 Thanked 1,159 Times in 1,035 Posts System Specs	Only other choice is HT Omega __________________ Athlon XP USERS with COD 4 FIX http://www.techsupportforum.com/foru...ls-202011.html http://www.howorks.com/2011/02/24/ho...-memory-limit/ “Sometimes my level of fail is unprecedented.” -TheMailMan78 “This is what the force of a thousand suns looks like.” -3870x2

System Name:	BS03/04
Processor:	AMD Athlon XP-M 2500+ 2.2GHz 1.5V
Motherboard:	DFI LanParty NFII Ultra-B Bios (TicTac 3D Fire R2)
Cooling:	4 Antec 80mm, TR SI-97 Adapted TT Big Typhoon Fan 120MM
Memory:	2GB Mushkin Redline 4000 @ 200 MHz 2.5V
Video Card:	Sapphire R1950Pro 512MB AGP 1.5V
Hard Disk:	250 & 400 GB Seagate Baracuda 10 SATA
Optical Drive:	2x Samsung Multiformat Rewritable Drives
CRT/LCD Model:	NEC Multisync LCD 1700V
Case:	Antec SX830 EATX Case
Sound Card:	Creative Labs SB XFi Xtreme Music & SB PCI 512
PSU:	Antec NEO HE 500 Watt
Software:	Windows 7 Home Premium
Benchmarks:	Win 7 Eval. CPU 3.9 Ram 4.5 Graphics 6.0 HD 5.7

Sep 17, 2012, 12:36 AM	#5
BumbleBee Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cybertron aka Canada Posts: 4,083 (2.65/day) Thanks: 827 Thanked 1,202 Times in 920 Posts System Specs	I like the Asus Xonar DG/X. it's only $25-30 and you get a lot. Cirrus Logic DAC, Cirrus Logic ADC, Creative DSP, JRC Headphone Amp, Dolby Headphone, GX2.5, digital out, multi-channel analog out. the Xonar Unified Drivers are pretty nice and you can get them to work under Windows 8. http://brainbit.wordpress.com/ I don't feel the more expensive sound cards are worth the money. some of the designs are really old and these companies don't revise or support them. you can get Onkyo receiver packages or DA converters and class a/b/t amplifiers for a couple hundred dollars.

Processor:	Intel Core i5-3570K
Motherboard:	Asus P8Z77-V Pro
Cooling:	Noctua NH-D14
Memory:	8GB Mushkin Blackline DDR3-1600
Video Card:	Gigabyte GTX 670
Hard Disk:	Intel 520 60GB, Seagate Barracuda XT 2TB
Optical Drive:	Asus DRW-24B1ST
CRT/LCD Model:	BenQ 24" XL2420T, Sony 24" GDM-FW900
Case:	Corsair 550D
Sound Card:	Mytek Stereo 192 DSD, Cambridge Azur 550A, Graham Slee Novo, Burson HA-160
PSU:	Corsair AX650
Software:	Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium

Processor:	i5-2500k @ 4.5
Motherboard:	Asus Z68 Deluxe
Cooling:	Noctua NH-D14
Memory:	16GB DDR3 1600
Video Card:	Sapphire 7950 @ 1200/1475 @ 1175v
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell 23" 2ms
Case:	Carbide 500r
Sound Card:	Asus Xonar DG

Sep 17, 2012, 01:58 AM	#8
LAN_deRf_HA Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4,026 (2.14/day) Thanks: 292 Thanked 832 Times in 589 Posts System Specs	I'd say neither. Look for a deal on the Titanium HD. On the bay, a forum, newegg shell shocker. Got mine for $100 and recently did opamp upgrades on it. Never been more pleased with my sound.

System Name:	Obelisc
Processor:	i7 2600k @ 4.5 GHz
Motherboard:	Asus P8Z77-V
Cooling:	H110
Memory:	16GB(4x8) @ 2133 MHz 9-11-10-28 2T
Video Card:	Galaxy GTX 660 Ti GC 3GB SLI
Hard Disk:	M4 256GB, 2x 3TB Seagate XT
Optical Drive:	Samsung 12x Bluray
CRT/LCD Model:	Crossover 27Q
Case:	Corsair 550D
Sound Card:	X-Fi Titanium HD with HD598
PSU:	Kingwin LZP-550
Software:	Win7 64bit SP1

System Name:	Delta // HTPC
Processor:	Intel i7 3770K // Intel i3 550 3.2Ghz
Motherboard:	ASRock Z77 Extreme6 // Gigabyte GA-H55M-S2H Socket 1156
Cooling:	Corsair H100 // SILVERSTONE NT07-1156 90mm
Memory:	Corsair Vengeance 1866 16gb //Corsair DDR3 1600 4 Gb
Video Card:	HIS 7950 3 Gb //Sapphire 6670 1 Gb
Hard Disk:	Samsung 840 250 SSD, WD Caviar Blue 500// Corsair M4 64 Gb Solid State, SAMSUNG F4 2 Tb, WD 1 Tb
Optical Drive:	LG DVDR 24X // Lite on DVDR 24X
CRT/LCD Model:	HP 23xi IPS 1080p" // 50" Samsung Plasma 720p
Case:	Corsair Obsidian Series 550D // Silverstone Granada GD05
Sound Card:	ASUS Xonar DS // HDMI Bit Stream to Yamaha RX V571
PSU:	Seagate M12II 750 // Corsair CX 430
Software:	Windows 7 64bit // Windows 7 64bit with XBMC Eden
Benchmarks:	I scored P9327 in 3DMark 11

Sep 18, 2012, 07:41 AM	#11
BumbleBee Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cybertron aka Canada Posts: 4,083 (2.65/day) Thanks: 827 Thanked 1,202 Times in 920 Posts System Specs	a lot of people think they sound better. a lot of bugs have been fixed and improved across the board. check the changelog.

Sep 18, 2012, 08:29 AM	#13
BumbleBee Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cybertron aka Canada Posts: 4,083 (2.65/day) Thanks: 827 Thanked 1,202 Times in 920 Posts System Specs	I wouldn't know. this is my sound card

Sep 18, 2012, 08:45 AM	#15
OneMoar Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 2,291 (2.00/day) Thanks: 90 Thanked 431 Times in 370 Posts System Specs	creative doesn't make quality ANYTHING anymore if you want awesome sound you need to be looking at a xonar or a HT OMEGA ffs creative just ... uninstall already http://www.htomega.com/ __________________ I am not here to be nice, I am not here to be polite BUT I am here to help ...

System Name:	Waiting For Haswel
Processor:	Phenom II @ 4.0Ghz @ 1.480v 2600NB/1.25v
Motherboard:	MSI 990XA-GD55
Cooling:	Mugen RevB
Memory:	8GB DDR3 @ 1600
Video Card:	ATi 6870 @ 940/1100
Hard Disk:	WDBLUE 250GB && WD BLACK 500GB
Optical Drive:	x1 DVD
CRT/LCD Model:	HP w2071d
Case:	NZXT GAMMA
Sound Card:	RealtekHD
PSU:	Antec 520c
Software:	Windows 7 x64

Sep 27, 2012, 10:34 AM	#24
Jetster Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,881 (2.35/day) Thanks: 942 Thanked 866 Times in 633 Posts System Specs	Today I received my ASUS Xonar DGX. installed with the stock drivers and it works. Did hear much difference with the speakers but the headphones sound great. Didn't have much time to mes with it.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Which sound card is better: X-Fi Xtreme Gamer or Supreme FX II?	HTC	General Hardware	11	Apr 6, 2010 10:10 PM
which would sound better??	tigger	General Hardware	3	Oct 19, 2007 01:39 PM
Which has better sound.....?	Azn Tr14dZ	General Hardware	2	Jul 24, 2007 04:46 AM
Does a sound card give better overall performance than onboard sound?	MiST91	General Hardware	45	Dec 18, 2006 10:17 PM