Debating buying a new sound card

[BababooeyHTJ]

Well, I'm currently using an X-fi Xtreme gamer. When it works is works just fine but I have been having the occasional issue where the driver stops detecting that anything is hooked up to it. I end up having to reinstall the driver to fix the problem.

I would also like to move to a pci-e card anyways so that I could slap an aftermarket cooler onto my bottom card. I'm debating the Xonar DX. On the other hand I could pick up a used Auzen Prelude. I know next to nothing about computer audio so any input would be appreciated. I'm really not looking to spend too much.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

Xonar DX is all you will ever need. Go for it

 

[FreedomEclipse]

If your gonna go down the xonar route, i recommend using rhese unified drivers over asus's own. driver support for the xonars is poor at http://best.brainbit.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/asus-xonar-unified-drivers/

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

If your gonna go down the xonar route, i recommend using rhese unified drivers over asus's own. driver support for the xonars is poor at best brainbit.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/asus-xonar-unified-drivers/

This is what is swaying me from the Xonar. Asus isn't exactly famous for their software support.

 

[erocker]

Speaker setup? Headphones? Auzentech is the way to go.

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

The vast majority of the time I use my M-audio AV-40s.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

The unified drivers sorted out a lot of bugs. theres no reason why not to go with the asus

 

[sy5tem]

Well, I'm currently using an X-fi Xtreme gamer. When it works is works just fine but I have been having the occasional issue where the driver stops detecting that anything is hooked up to it. I end up having to reinstall the driver to fix the problem.

I would also like to move to a pci-e card anyways so that I could slap an aftermarket cooler onto my bottom card. I'm debating the Xonar DX. On the other hand I could pick up a used Auzen Prelude. I know next to nothing about computer audio so any input would be appreciated. I'm really not looking to spend too much.

are you using 5.1 or 7.1 ? or playing with headphone?

both your 6950 have audio out !

also you probably have an on-board audio depends what kind of sound quality your looking for.

i also ad the same problem with x-fi . now using 6950 HDMI on my asus with headphone ... no more problem.

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

I never used the onboard up until recently and when I tried it out for some reason the left channel didn't seem to work. So, on board is out of the question. Like I said the vast majority of the time I'll be using my m-audio av40 which is just 2.0. I rarely use headphones.

 

[sy5tem]

I never used the onboard up until recently and when I tried it out for some reason the left channel didn't seem to work. So, on board is out of the question. Like I said the vast majority of the time I'll be using my m-audio av40 which is just 2.0. I rarely use headphones.

too bad you can use your 6950 audio then!

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

too bad you can use your 6950 audio then!

I know that I can use it over hdmi but I need some sort of analog output for my speakers.

The unified drivers sorted out a lot of bugs. theres no reason why not to go with the asus

Thats good to know.

I have to admit that the need for a four pin floppy for power is another strike for the Xonar. It is at a pretty reasonable price though.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

Speaker setup? Headphones? Auzentech is the way to go.

why do you say that erocker??

Also OP check out the HT Omega Striker

 

[hat]

It seems that these days sound cards are all merely mediums to install software with a certain feature set to. It depends on what kind of connectivity you want (S/PDIF, HDMI, shit like that), and what kind of features you want. They produce better analog quality, but digital will sound the same (there's no better format than digital; as it's a perfect replication of the audio in the original file). You'll need a good ear and a good set of speakers/headphones to tell the difference. For me, coming off my onboard to my Xonar DG, the audio sounded a little louder, clearer, and more defined than the onboard. The optical connection is a nice bonus too, but for serious home theater enthusiasts, HDMI is the way to go.