Which sound card?

[half1980]

I've recently built my new system and i plan on buying a new audio card. Onboard audio chipset is nice (it's a Realtek ALC889) but i would like some more clarity to the music i listen to and better sound effects in games.

I mainly play games, listen to music and i like to watch some movies too. Atm i use a 2.1 speakers system. I will never (and i mean NEVER) use headphones, but i plan to go for 5.1 speakers system in the distant future!

So my question is: what is the best sound card i can buy for 150 € tops?

Thank you in advance for you help and your suggestions!

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Well.... I was going to suggest my setup but you won't ever use headphones

You can get some fantastic quality sound from a decent set of headphones without spending a fortune on good speakers but oh well.

A sound card from HT Omega, Asus, or Auzentech would be my suggestion. And then your speakers would be a big factor.

Just my opinion.....but I wouldn't touch anything Creative with a 50 foot pole..

 

[half1980]

Thanks for your reply spaceman!

So, that's it? Creative is dead? I used to have this awesome Audigy 2 ZS that i've been using with my old computer (until a couple of months ago) and before that i had an Audigy! I've read around the web that Creative cards aren't what they used to be!

Anyway would you suggest an ASUS Xonar D2X/XDT or an ASUS Xonar DX/XD?

 

[15th Warlock]

I would suggest the SB X-Fi Titanium series, I'm really satisfied with my card

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Its just my opinion. I went through driver hell with creative's crap. Got my HT Omega and Im sold. My next soundcard after I part my rig out will be another HT Omega or an Auzentech if someone can convince me.

Yes, I have heard very good things about Asus' cards. I've heard some good and some bad from the X-fi but to each his own.

I'd recommend finding a few cards you are interested in and then head over to newegg.com and start researching every single review on the cards you are interested in. Try to find someone with similar system specs to your own and look for any problems they have had with drivers, compatabilty etc. Google is also your friend

PS:fill out your system specs under User CP so it can help others and others can help you.

 

[Widjaja]

I don't know what the ASUS STX are selling over there but the one I installed into a customers machine.

It's a nice card and would be recommended for a Audiophile

Only one very little niggle which will not affect you is the FP Audio when changing from speakers to headset.
It is not PnP, you have to go into the software and select it which makes a click from the sound card as it changes to FP Audio.

 

[half1980]

I'd recommend finding a few cards you are interested in and then head over to newegg.com and start researching every single review on the cards you are interested in.

I just did that. The majority of the users that have bought the Asus Xonar D2X don't play games but they say it provides great audio quality. On the other hand the majority of users that have the Creative X-FI Fatality Pro play games (and they say it provides great audio effects) but don't listen to music! Anyway seems that both these cards have some drivers/applications issues!

God this is getting too difficult!


As for the Asus Xonar STX sells around 140 € and since i don't use any headphones changing from speakers to headphones won't be a problem!

Seriously all this is so difficult and starts annoying me! I'm not an audio expert and i just want to buy a soundcard , plug it in my system and listen to music/play games without problems and issues!

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

If thats the case then HT Omega may be right up your alley. Ive used it on WinXP 32bit, Vista 64bit and I just moved to Win7 64bit and I have had zero driver issues with it. I use mine for movies, games, and music. More music and games than movies. The Claro Halo is advertised as a Headphone card since it has a built in amp but you can go for the add on XT card and have a wicked speaker setup. Or go for the Striker which is a badass card for speakers as well. I may be biased but HT Omega is freekin sweet.

Plus with the Halo and XT you can swap between 7.1 speakers or headphone if you ever so choose that route which is good for not bothering others.

 

[half1980]

HT Omega sounds great.... but guess what: No HT Omega in Europe! Seems that the company doesn't ship its products here. Checked the 'where to buy' section in their website, also checked in german, italian, english ebay (and the only result i got was spark plugs for Opel/Vauxhall Omega) and major pc hardware online shops but nothing! I got pwned!

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Where are you located?

http://www.htomega.com/wheretobuy.html

At the bottom it says to email them for international shipping.

"For other countries, please email to sales@htomega.com
Free shipping for domestic orders, $15.00 Worldwide. And International orders also received the 30-day return period and full guaranty."

 

[half1980]

Didn't see that! I currently live in Italy and as for the shipping items that come overseas, they need to pass through customs where you pay a tax. I don't know the exact amount of tax for electronics but it's usually the price of the product unless its being shipped as a gift. So price of the soundcard +15 $ for shipping +customs tax= absolute pwnage!

 

[timta2]

Yep, I too love my X-Fi Titanium, best $50 (after rebate) I ever spent on a sound card. Not one driver issue or application issue with Windows 7. I'm not very fond of Creative and I was considering one of the more expensive "audiophile" cards, but this works just perfect and is cheaper. Since I'm kind of a gamer EAX was important too me and it seems that some of the other cards don't support EAX 5.0.

 

[johnspack]

It's taken me awhile, but I've tweaked my creative x-fi titanium to where it's running perfect. But...I will never buy another creative card again. Next card will probably be a xonar dx2, or dx3 if it's out by then. Why? Because creative does nothing extra with modern games, vista and win7 saw to that. Eax is dead, no one uses it anymore. Get a xonar....

 

[Widjaja]

I personally avpid Creative since my personal experience has not been that great with crackles and pops in games audio but then again I as using a Audigy 2 ZS before what I have now.

I also should add the STX although is more of an audiophile sound card it does have gaming orientated software as well.

You will also need a free floppy power connector or molex to power it.

Since I am into audio production I have had to go with what I have now.

If I wasn't I would most likely get the STX

 

[half1980]

It's taken me awhile, but I've tweaked my creative x-fi titanium to where it's running perfect. But...I will never buy another creative card again. Next card will probably be a xonar dx2, or dx3 if it's out by then. Why? Because creative does nothing extra with modern games, vista and win7 saw to that. Eax is dead, no one uses it anymore. Get a xonar....

No offence but fyi you should check what users say about xonar dx2! Drivers have huge problems and the Asus customer support just doesnt care! Actually the best drivers for Asus xonar dx2 are released by a guy who had enough of Asus and decided to take matters in his own hands because the last time Asus released drivers was 2 years ago!

 

[hv43082]

Well.... I was going to suggest my setup but you won't ever use headphones

You can get some fantastic quality sound from a decent set of headphones without spending a fortune on good speakers but oh well.

A sound card from HT Omega, Asus, or Auzentech would be my suggestion. And then your speakers would be a big factor.

Just my opinion.....but I wouldn't touch anything Creative with a 50 foot pole..

I second this. I had 3 previous Creative cards and will not recommend Creative. I'm currently using the Asus DX 7.1 and it is wonderful. The driver is less buggy than Creative. Sound quality is fantastic for music, videos, and games.

 

[Funtoss]

Do not buy cheap sound cards like me
lol get something from asus or ht omega! they make great sound cards although costy but worth it!

 

[txsouthpaw]

I had heard bad things about Creative, but I purchased an SB X-Fi Titanium HD on sale and it sounds wonderful. The drivers have been rock solid, however, I didn't install any of their extra bloatware utilities (only the driver and console). I use mine mainly for music and movies, with some gaming. I have also heard great things about the HTO's and Auzentechs.

 

[half1980]

OK! After a month of checking and reading reviews i finally ordered an Asus Xonar D2X/XDT for 116 € shipping included! I will post some pictures from my webcam as soon as i get it! Thank you all for your help and your advice!