Personal computing discussed
Moderators: renee, Captain Ned
DeadOfKnight wrote:This post reflects most of the reviews and recommendations for sound cards I've read on other sites:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1014902/ocns ... t_13493396
Bensam123 wrote:From what I've read the HT-Omega stuff is just a ghetto version of the Xonar lineup. Just so you know all the 'extreme' versions of cards Creative made are budget lineups and not representative of the name they carry. The X-Fi Extreme Music for instance isn't even based off the X-Fi chipset, it's a Audigy 2. You can read up on their chipsets and find reviews on Newegg stating similar things.
Yeah the Titanium HD heads up that list you posted for the most part. I don't believe he tested optical and compared latency to the headphone output. IF there wasn't latency, really, really I would keep the card in a heartbeat. Analog outputs I would nom up as well or a daughter card that has 5.1 or 7.1 analog outs on it... where is it Creative?
The DX is in the mail currently. Some tough choices will have to be made if it turns out inferior in gaming to Creative cards.
Bensam123 wrote:I've heard of Auzentech before and read the review on TR, but Newegg and Amazon both don't stock them. It also looks like they're gen 2 cards, being made around the same time as the gen 2 Creative lineup. Looking at the stats on the X-Fi Forte confirms that. It's better then the old Titanium, but not as good as the Titanium HD (purely from specifications). Another option I'm contemplating is straight up buying a gen 2 X-Fi Fatality off Amazon used. But if thats the case I'd just skip to the Forte.
Bensam123 wrote:From what I've read the HT-Omega stuff is just a ghetto version of the Xonar lineup. Just so you know all the 'extreme' versions of cards Creative made are budget lineups and not representative of the name they carry. The X-Fi Extreme Music for instance isn't even based off the X-Fi chipset, it's a Audigy 2. You can read up on their chipsets and find reviews on Newegg stating similar things.
Yeah the Titanium HD heads up that list you posted for the most part. I don't believe he tested optical and compared latency to the headphone output. IF there wasn't latency, really, really I would keep the card in a heartbeat. Analog outputs I would nom up as well or a daughter card that has 5.1 or 7.1 analog outs on it... where is it Creative?
The DX is in the mail currently. Some tough choices will have to be made if it turns out inferior in gaming to Creative cards.
cynan wrote:Pretty sure Kaleid is correct. I remember when researching my X-Fi purchase that the Extreme Music and the Platinum were identical except the Platinum came with the front drive bay breakout. As I recall, the only thing the X-Fi Fatal1ty added over the Extreme Music/Platinum was extra onbaord memory for EAX effects. All 3 cards were based on the X-Fi chip (there also was a higher end version of the Fatal1ty with a more music creation-oriented breakout box).
Bensam123 wrote:While I would classify the T-HD as angels having a orgy in my ear, the DX is more of dogs playing poker at a card table
Neutronbeam wrote:I've got an Essence. I can offer no technical measurements but I'm using it with Sennheiser earphones and the sound is clear and "punchy" for games and music--no issues. Got it as a half-price open box from newegg and love it. I agree with other poster that that an external DAC might be better--FYI http://www.jr.com/asus/pe/ASU_XONARESSONE/.
Airmantharp wrote:good drivers
morphine wrote:Airmantharp wrote:good drivers
I'd be very, very, very careful before including "good drivers" and either "Creative" or "Asus Xonar" in the same sentence.
morphine wrote:Airmantharp wrote:good drivers
I'd be very, very, very careful before including "good drivers" and either "Creative" or "Asus Xonar" in the same sentence.