I'm just wondering - I don't think I really need a high-end card like this just to get my surround sound and TV hook-up. The extra cost seems to be for the bundled extras which I likely won't use.
For my current 7 year old SBL, I just install the drivers and then start listening to my music. No configuration whatsoever. This sound card is all I have ever known for sound. It has been in my last 3 PCs. Would I notice the audible difference between this sound card and the sound produced by a $200 card? A $50 card will give me my surround sound and TV hook-up, right?
Bottom line - is a high-end card worth it?
I found this comparison:
Auzentech, Inc. Sound Cards. Audio You Can Believe In. World First soundcards for Music, HTPC, and Gaming.
There are far too many details to compare but the main ones from what I can see are:
Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) is highest in the ASUS Xonar DX (116db) Higher is better, I take it.
The ASUS Xonar DX is the only one with its own audio processor. The others use "20K1" but I have no idea what that means. Does the fact that the Xonar DX has its own make it the better choice or the "outsider"?
They all have a max of 128 3D voices except for the AUZEN X-Studio 5.1 [Low Profile].
Most of them, including the ASUS Xonar DX, have a Max. Audio Resolution Playback & Quality of 24-bit/96kHz in 7.1ch.
The ASUS Xonar DX has a Max. Recording/Sampling Rate of 24-bit/192kHz. Is this for people to make their own music? I do not.
EAX2.0
AUZEN X-Studio 5.1 [Low Profile]
ASUS Xonar DX (Low Profile)
EAX5.0
AUZEN X-Fi Forte 7.1 [Low Profile]
Sound Blaster® X-Fi Xtreme Gamer FATAL1TY Pro
Sound Blaster® X-Fi Titanium FATAL1TY Pro
I looked this up on Wikipedia:
Environmental audio extensions - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia EAX 2.0
EAX 2.0 was used in
Sound Blaster Live! sound cards.
- 32 simultaneous voices processable in hardware
- Occlusion Effects
- Material-specific reverb parameters
EAX 5.0
EAX 5.0 is present in
Sound Blaster X-Fi sound cards.
- 128 simultaneous voices processable in hardware and up to 4 effects on each
- EAX Voice (processing of microphone input signal)
- EAX PurePath (EAX Sound effects can originate from one speaker only)
- Environment FlexiFX (four available effects slots per channel)
- EAX MacroFX (realistic positional effects at close range)
- Environment Occlusion (sound from adjacent environments can pass through walls)
All but the AUZEN X-Studio 5.1 [Low Profile] have 7.1 which is fine for me because I just use 5.1 headphones.
Obviously, they all have pros and cons.
I just someone to level with me on this one.
Edit -
Buy the Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy SE at TigerDirect.ca
$40.00
- 7.1 surround output
- 24-bit/96kHz audio resolution.
- 100dB signal to noise ratio.
- 64-Voice polyphony and multi-timbral capability
- EAX ADVANCED HD 3.0 support for gaming.
You guys see what I am getting at?