X-Fi Titanium HD question

[ultraman7k]

Alright so I'm still undecided.

The more research I do, it seems the more I realize how much I don't know what's going on lol....

By all accounts people are always raving about Auzentech or Asus Xonar.

Thing is, I just don't know which one of those models is right for me?

I do feel some loyalty to Creative since they were the first sound card I used way back when in my 486 lol...Sound Blaster 16 totally blew away PC speakers...

However, I do understand that their driver support has been terrible recently, I want something that is going to continue working into the future! I do recall there was a whole fiasco about Creative purposely discontinuing support for older devices, and that their drivers weren't compatible with vista/7 or whatever.

I do equal amounts of listening to music as I do gaming. Which is the best for me? I don't mind spending around the cost of this creative card, but lower would be nice as wel.

Is it an Auzentech? An Asus? Or is it the x-fi titanium? I just don't know.

Only one thing, it has to be PCI-E.

[Jackquelegs]

The Titanium HD is not a bad card by a country mile, and I haven't heard much driver based issues. I was even tempted to pick one up at NCIX for 129.99 even when I have the Essence stx and D2x from ASUS.

My vote goes out to the Titanium HD in this case

[ultraman7k]

ok every forum i visit about sound cards talks about opamps.

I realize these are probably things you can change, but do they really make that much of a difference?

What about installation of these things? Do they require soldering?

[lowfat]

Depends on the card. I am pretty sure the X-Fi Titanium HD does have socketed opamps. Meaning you can just pull them out and replace them with a different set. The differences aren't huge. They just add colourization of the sound.

[Slik]

Originally Posted by MacJunky

^^^ What martin just said x9001.

OP has shitty speakers and does not need a $500,000 7.1 sound card. A decent $80-$100 one will be plenty and keep him pleased for much time.

And silk, plz. 5.1 and 7.1 are not even related to OP's setup. He runs a 2.1 setup. If that is what he wants then that is all good. I myself run a 2.1 setup using a receiver, some speakers and a sub from a Z-2300 wired up with a custom controller to run independently. (I do not use the Z-2300 satellites because they are trash imo, but that is just my opinion. OP and some other people I know love their Z-2300 speakers. it is just a matter of taste.)

My point was, to advise that there is no 5.1 analog. For the price you pay,the HD SHOULD have had that feature. Many people have 5.1 analog desk top speakers,and many people purchased the HD without realizing it's shortcomings. All I intended to do, was to give a heads up.

[ultraman7k]

well pulled the trigger on these, and am going to pick it up on my lunch break.

will let you know how it compares to onboard that i am currently using, even with my so called 'junky speakers' lol

[ultraman7k]

so, plugged it into my system....

HOLY JUMPIN.

what a difference from on board.

i am noticing subtle things in my tunes that i never noticed before....unreal.

I went from Audigy LS (was causing major static distortion) -> Onboard ->Titanium HD

never again with onboard.

[Jackquelegs]

Originally Posted by lowfat

Depends on the card. I am pretty sure the X-Fi Titanium HD does have socketed opamps. Meaning you can just pull them out and replace them with a different set. The differences aren't huge. They just add colourization of the sound.

They are DIP8 socketed . Indeed they color the sound but your average consumer don't even care to be honest. It'll sound decent out of the box that's for sure

Let me quote this from headfi though... OPAMPS ARE EVIL

You should notice a pretty decent difference even with those Z2300s. If you want, you can use the RCA line-out to minimize opamp coloring.

EDIT:..Oh looks like I was too late. GLAD YOU LIKE YOUR CARD It's like someone lifted a veil from your ears Now ..buy better speakers...the cycle shall continue!

[ultraman7k]

as you say it's like i cleaned my ears out. and mud fell out.

I LIKE MY Z2300s!!! I WILL USE THEM TILL THEY DIE.

[JerryZ]

I got the HD last week and I must say it's the best sounding card I've ever had. Better than Forte and STX IMO.