New Sound Card Advice

superleeds27 · 26 May 2012 at 12:57

After a new sound card for my 5.1 setup.

Has to be PCI. Not sure what to get.

I have been use to the Xtremegamer and its settings, CMSS3D.

Does the Asus cards have such feature etc?

Any advice would be great

Marsman · 26 May 2012 at 14:28

You could get either a second hand Xtreme Music, or an SB0770, which is a PCI version of the Titanium. Just having a look, it seems they are not as common as they once were. There were quite a lot on the famous auction site at one point, now there are very few it seems.

If you are used to an Xtreme Gamer, you may find the budget Xonar offerings lacking. A few people have found the DG in particular, is a downgrade in sound quality from a Xtreme Music or Gamer.

A Xonar D1 would be a good choice, if can't get hold of another X-Fi.

superleeds27 · 26 May 2012 at 14:43

I basically want something thats as good as the Xtremegamer or better. I suppose better is the best option.

I have been looking at the D1. I like the features the X-fi had. Crystalizer, CMSS3D etc.

FallshirmjAEger · 26 May 2012 at 15:20

Have you tried looking in the members market on here?

superleeds27 · 26 May 2012 at 15:23

Dont think i can access it?

What do people reccommend card wise?

Whats the next step up from the Xtremegamer on the Creative Cards?

Edit: I could use a PCI-Express card. Currently have a NIC card in there, but could use PCIE for the sound and then a PCI for the NIC.

If this helps with reccomending cards?

superleeds27 · 26 May 2012 at 18:32

I can get a X-Fi Titanium SB0880 (Dell System Pull) for around £40.

Not sure what the card is like though?

Marsman · 26 May 2012 at 18:44

Isn't that the PCIE version though?

superleeds27 · 26 May 2012 at 18:47

Yeah, like i mentioned above. I currently have a NIC in the PCIE Slot, but, when i remove the Xtremegamer card from the PCI slot, i can insert a PCI NIC card and then use the PCIE For the soundcard

FallshirmjAEger · 26 May 2012 at 18:55

superleeds27 said:
Dont think i can access it?

I think you just need to enable trust. You have over 250 posts

Edit: Realised it's changed to 1000 posts now, sry

superleeds27 · 26 May 2012 at 18:56

FallshirmjAEger said:
I think you just need to enable trust. You have over 250 posts

How do i do that?

Edit: Access to the Members Market forum requires two things. Firstly, you will need to have over 1000 posts and have been signed up for at least 180 days.

Marsman · 26 May 2012 at 19:07

superleeds27 said:
Yeah, like i mentioned above. I currently have a NIC in the PCIE Slot, but, when i remove the Xtremegamer card from the PCI slot, i can insert a PCI NIC card and then use the PCIE For the soundcard

Ah ok. Sorry, didn't read your post above.

Marsman · 26 May 2012 at 19:08

FallshirmjAEger said:
I think you just need to enable trust. You have over 250 posts

Haven't they changed it now? I think it's 1000 posts now.

superleeds27 · 26 May 2012 at 19:30

Yeah 1000 Posts.

So do people have an opinion on the Titanium (SB0880)?

Marsman · 26 May 2012 at 19:45

Well it's got a newer chip than the Xtreme Music/Gamer. Which is a EMU202K, whereas the Xtreme Music/Gamer had an EMU201K. That doesn't really equate to a great deal of difference really. Essentially, they are very similar. Same features, same sound quality. The Titanium is a great sound card though, just as the Xtreme Music/Gamer was/were.

superleeds27 · 26 May 2012 at 20:47

I mainly use the card for Music. This includes playback, producing, mixing etc.

Would it be a wise choice, or is there better out there for 4-50 quid?

sturmtruppe · 26 May 2012 at 21:21

superleeds27 said:
Would it be a wise choice, or is there better out there for 4-50 quid?

Set up your trust m8 so I can pm you

superleeds27 · 26 May 2012 at 21:36

How do i do that?

Need 1000 posts dont i?

Edit: Sorted i thinkk

superleeds27 · 27 May 2012 at 09:45

Am i right in thinking the Creative SoundBlaster Recon3D PCI-E Soundcard isn't as good as it makes out?

superleeds27 · 27 May 2012 at 11:55

I stumbled accross the modded drivers for Realtek which include X-Fi elements.

Really does improve the onboard sound, well it has for me. Think i will still invest in a soundcard though. Suppose i can bare listening to music etc again in the meantime!

Still stuck between the Titanium and the DX/D1

Marsman · 27 May 2012 at 12:20

superleeds27 said:
Am i right in thinking the Creative SoundBlaster Recon3D PCI-E Soundcard isn't as good as it makes out?

Not really. Reviews have not been favourable. Either a D1/X or a Titanium would be the better buy.

D1/X sounds better according to some people who moved to one from a Titanium. That's a personal preference though. Not everyone will find the D1/X better sounding. It's impossible to say really, as we all have varying likes and dislikes, opinions, etc.

As you like the features the X-Fi has to offer, I'd suggest a Titanium. It's certainly the safer bet.