Choosing A New Sound Card

[seekermeister]

It appears that my sound card has croaked on my primary rig, and I'm looking for another. Recalling past discussions along these lines, it seems that there are three choices for me...the Creative Labs SB X-FI Titanium Fatal1ty, Asus Xonar D2X 7.1 PCIe or something in the Auzentech line. I say "something" simply because I haven't looked at them too closely yet. The reason for this is because I understand that they use a Creative chipset, which I assume would need a Creative driver, which is the primary reason that I'm considering anything other than Creative in the first place (I resent them deliberately attempting to obsolete older cards).

I still like the Creative card that I listed, because it does have a drive bay unit, but it appears so simplistic, that I'm not sure that it would be worthwhile to me.

Where my problem is, is that there are so many facets to consider while comparing these cards, that I get confused easily and I'm hoping that someone will be able to simplify the subject. What should I look for to decide?

 

[RST101]

Speaking from experience I can tell you the Asus Xonar dx is a fantastic card. Prior to owning the dx I bought a creative card and loathed the drivers for it so sold it straight away where I then purchased this dx.

Most of the reviews I've read claim it to be far better value for money than the d2x and in some instances actually has better sound quality. It also caters for all occasions ie game/movie/music and the gui imo is much better looking and easier to manipulate than creatives offerings.

Every one has differing views as I'm sure your aware but the dx really is a sweet card for the price.

My 2 cents.

 

[seekermeister]

Your post is worth more than 2 cents, and I'm leaning toward the Asus card. The only thing that I don't like is that it doesn't have a front drive bay unit...and the fact that I have never owned anything except Creative previously. However, as I said above, the Creative bay is so simplistic, that I don't think that it is much of a factor. It has far less I/Os on it than my Audigy 2 ZS Platinum.

Both cards claimed a superior sound quality for online gaming, but the Asus also mentioned VoIP, which is more important to me than gaming.

Would either card be better with my old analog 5.1 speakers?

EDIT: I imagine that it is okay, but when looking at the specs, I found this:

Operation System: Windows Vista/XP(32/64bit)/MCE2005

Since it doesn't mention W7 x64, is there anything special that I need to know to make it work properly?

 

[erica647]

I do recommend staying away from Creative as their drivers and their support are awful. My last Soundblaster card is just sitting in my closet. I think they've been the market leader for so long that they just forgot about customer service.

 

[bobkn]

I'd suggest using a soundcard based on a chipset that was new in January 2008 or later (after Vista's first anniversary).

Unfortunately, I know of no such card. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[seekermeister]

I'd suggest using a soundcard based on a chipset that was new in January 2008 or later (after Vista's first anniversary).

Unfortunately, I know of no such card. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I have no idea of the DOB of the chipsets of any of the cards, but the Asus Xonar D2X claims that it is compatible with Vista, and it does have a specific driver for W7. However, if there is a better card available, I'm all ears.

 

[seekermeister]

I decided to switch to onboard sound, until I get a new card, but so far I'm not having any luck. I have never used the onboard sound before, so as far as I know, it doesn't work.

I enabled it in the BIOS and in the Device Manager. the DM says that it is working properly and the Volume Control Mixer does indicate that there is output, but nothing out of the speakers, except the BIOS beep at startup.

I have uninstalled everything from the Creative installation, so unless someone can cue me on something that I have missed, I guess that this rig is mute for the time being...any ideas?

 

[RST101]

The dx runs straight out of the box with win 7 x64, Asus always do a good job with drivers and this is no exception.

 

[Vector90Ash]

My D2X works fine with Win7 64bit. Had a few hiccups when I updated drivers but all working ok now.
Sound quality is pretty good but onboard GeneralMidi sounds aren't great, so if you plan to play midi files thru it, you might be disappointed.
There's no Soundfont support to improve GM set (even tho I'm sure I saw SF mentioned in the specs).
However, it does include a midi daughter card, with I/O on a backplate for interfacing with external kit.
Works fine with DAW progs like Reason etc.
EAX isn't licensed, and Asus solution is an 'interpretation' of EAX instructions. I heard there can be game compatability issues, although I havent experienced any problems myself.
Note:- D2X card requires a floppy drive power connector, so if you have a floppy drive, make sure you have a spare power plug.
Main deciding factor when choosing this card was superior sound quality and bang-per-buck.
Reason for not even considering Creative products:- first-hand experience of Creative's crippled drivers (Audigy2 ZS Notebook - yaay for Daniel K).

 

[swarfega]

The Asus Xonar will probably be my next purchase unless Creative buck their ideas up. Tired of the occasional crackles of sound.

The auzentech is simply a creative card made by someone else.

 

[zzz2496]

seekermeister, Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 over here... performs remarkably well (~a year of ownership), never crashed, never crackles, never hinder standby/wakeup, sounds phenomenal, overall a good card. If you have analog speakers, go with Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 Deluxe, it got a separate daughter board, the H6 card that holds the rest of analog output (another 6 analog out IIRC). As for bay access, I don't need any since I can use the front panel connector, which is connected to my HDAV.

zzz2496

 

[seekermeister]

I guess that I jumped the gun. I got my sound card working again, but at the same time, it seems that everything else went haywire. I'm going to need more help, but I don't know enough yet to post a new thread.

 

[seekermeister]

Though it appeared solved, this problem has recurred. I've just about decided to order that sound card we discussed, but I'm puzzled by the behavior of the current card. I understand when something works or not, and to a degree, I even understand when a problem is intermittent, but for a problem that once appeared to be a definite failure, to start working, and keep working perfectly for 3 weeks, and then fail as before, seems illogical. I've reseated the card a couple of times again, disconnected all cables attached to it, yet it doesn't appear in the Device Manager at all. Both times it failed, it caused a BSOD and a loud screaching through the speakers.

If I were positive that this is caused by the card, I wouldn't hesitate to order a new one, but something in the back of my head keeps thinking that something else may be wrong...but it doesn't give any hints as to what?

 

[Aphelion]

I decided to switch to onboard sound, until I get a new card, but so far I'm not having any luck. I have never used the onboard sound before, so as far as I know, it doesn't work.

I enabled it in the BIOS and in the Device Manager. the DM says that it is working properly and the Volume Control Mixer does indicate that there is output, but nothing out of the speakers, except the BIOS beep at startup.

You can try this...
Right click on the MS speaker icon in the task bar and select playback devices, make sure "Speakers" are set as your default device. Single click your default playback device and select the properties button, look at all the tabs, make sure levels are up, pay special attention to the Enhancements tab. For now Disable all enhancements.

Might have to reboot.

Ap

 

[seekermeister]

I decided to switch to onboard sound, until I get a new card, but so far I'm not having any luck. I have never used the onboard sound before, so as far as I know, it doesn't work.

I enabled it in the BIOS and in the Device Manager. the DM says that it is working properly and the Volume Control Mixer does indicate that there is output, but nothing out of the speakers, except the BIOS beep at startup.

You can try this...
Right click on the MS speaker icon in the task bar and select playback devices, make sure "Speakers" are set as your default device. Single click your default playback device and select the properties button, look at all the tabs, make sure levels are up, pay special attention to the Enhancements tab. For now Disable all enhancements.

Might have to reboot.

Ap

You went back in time somewhat, because this doesn't apply to the current situation. However, the playback devices tab is blank, just as is the place where the sound card should be in the Device Manager.

Since my last post, I went ahead and ordered the Xonar D2X, so I'm hoping that the problem is with the old card, and not something more.

 

[seekermeister]

My Xonar finally arrived today, and so far, I'm very pleased with it. Haven't had much of a chance to test it thoroughly, except listening to the Dolby Demo CD, but it sounds good.

The only problem that I've found so far is with the software that came with it. Cakewalk installed fine, but Ableton Live wouldn't accept the registration code that is on it's envelope. It can be run in trial mode (which doesn't permit saving), but since it came with a registration code, that shouldn't be necessary.

I'm going to email both Asus and Ableton about this, but knowing how long it will probably take to get a response, I'm mentioning it here, in hopes that someone understands what is going on?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Seekermeister:

Can you advise whether or not the Asus card supports recording "what you hear" in Windows 7?

That capability is tougher to find in a sound card than it was in XP and Vista--by design I think.

I don't game, but am on the lookout for a sound card KNOWN to support "what you hear" recording in Windows 7 and I dearly want to avoid Creative Labs--whose cards often lack the capability I need.

 

[seekermeister]

I don't feel familiar enough with the card yet, to give you a conclusive answer, but the only thing that I have found so far, is the Recording tab the Control Panel's Sound selection. It only lists Microphone, CD, Line In, SPDIF In, ALT, AUX, Stereo Mix, Wave and Analog Audio In from my TV Tuner. On face value, I would have to say no, but there are a couple of those selections that I'm uncertain of. That is definitely something that it needs, but I found one aspect of the card that made it well worth while for me...SVN. I can now watch Hulu or TV without keeping my fingers on the volume for commercials or other audio blasts.

 

[Aphelion]

I don't feel familiar enough with the card yet, to give you a conclusive answer, but the only thing that I have found so far, is the Recording tab the Control Panel's Sound selection. It only lists Microphone, CD, Line In, SPDIF In, ALT, AUX, Stereo Mix, Wave and Analog Audio In from my TV Tuner. On face value, I would have to say no, but there are a couple of those selections that I'm uncertain of.

That would be a yes then. "Stereo Mix" is the equvalent of "What U Hear".

If you select Stereo Mix as the default recording device the card will record any sound that appears at it's audio output.

Which model did you end up with?

Ap

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I think Seeker bought the Xonar D2X??

Aphelion is correct that "stereo mix" is AKA "what you hear".

Seeker: can you give that functionality a test flight to confirm it actually works as expected? I mean try to record and then play back a random bit of audio from the net--a song or whatever.

I am not a gamer and would want a less expensive version of the Xonar. I can find versions down to $50, but I see conflicting opinions via Google as to whether or not Xonar does in fact work with "stereo mix" under Windows 7. A couple of posts on the Asus forums are inconclusive.