Recommend a sound card for 5.1 gaming thru receiver?

Adam Bluhm · 07-24-2006, 10:23 AM

I have an Audigy2 ZS in my newer rig (built in Jan). I was excited when I purchased it, because it's the most expensive sound card I've ever purchased and I assumed it would do surround gaming better than my old Turtle Beach Santa Cruz card.

I finally got the thing hooked up to my Denon 1802 receiver through analog cables to allow the sound card to do positional audio. To keep this story short, it didn't happen. I played for hours and went to multiple audio/computer forums and found no help. I've given up on the card. My TBSC card did it fine in the past (when I played Doom 3). I've tried Battlefield 2 and NR2003 and cannot get either game to play surround. Even Creative's test software doesn't play true 5.1. It's been frustrating.

I've considered trying the X-fi, as I've read wonderful things and also reports that it's heaps better than the Audigy 2 and has much better sound quality and less bugs.

Is it worth trying this card or should I try something else? I thought about pulling the TBSC out of my old machine, but that had a few bugs I don't want to encounter today. Keep in mind that my goal is to do 5.1 gaming with analog cables through my receiver. I'd like to keep the price under $100. Newegg had the X-fi on sale for $82, but it's back to regular price.

Thanks for any recommendations. I appreciate it.

Parker Clack · 07-24-2006, 10:38 AM

Adam:

I had the X-Fi and couldn't get it to work right with my HTPC and my Outlaw Audio pre/pro using the outputs off the card and it didn't include a built in RCA or Toslink S/PDIF out that I wanted. I searched around and found the HDA X-Mystique 7.1 Gold and I love it. I also recommend looking into the HDA X-Plosion 7.1 DTS card.

HDA X-Plosion 7.1 DTS card.

Parker

Joe D · 07-24-2006, 10:56 AM

The two cards that Parker recommended are good sound cards, and they offer the digital connections that most sound cards do not.

Some cheaper sound cards offer the digital connections but do not pass more than a 2.0 signal when using the digital connections, which doesn't make any sense but it is what happens.

Check out www.newegg.com for both reviews and good prices for both of the above cards.

Adam Bluhm · 07-24-2006, 12:56 PM

Thanks, guys.

Parker, I've had one other fellow recommend that card. I wouldn't be using the digital out (in the forseeable future), so that isn't a selling point currently, but I don't think it'd be a bad idea to abandon Creative's cards altogether considering the problems this card is giving me (bugs in another game I play often).

Thanks again for the replies. I'll probably narrow it down to the above card and an X-fi.

-edit-

After reading up a little more on that card, I'm really liking the Dolby Digital Live feature. Other than some software complaints at Newegg (which every sound card has), it seems to be a great card. That looks like a good buy. I guess I can ditch the two sets (three in each set) of analog cables I have.

Scott L · 07-24-2006, 03:35 PM

Go with the X-Fi. As much as I hate Creative's bloatware, there's no better gaming soundcard for the money.

I see that you don't want to fool with digital, which is smart in this case imo. Compression is a factor when you encode to either DD or DTS. With analog there's no compression and the X-Fi has really good DACs. In fact, they are the same ones used in the Lynx Two sound cards, which run for a grand a piece. Lynx Two owners say their cards match the SQ of standalone pre/pros costing 3-4x as much.

**HTF Ads**

Parker Clack · 07-24-2006, 10:44 PM

Adam:

The HDA X-Plosion has both Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect. I built an HTPC that had the X-Fi built in and returned it and replaced it with the X-Plosion and haven't looked back. I know a lot of HTPC builders that have gone with the HDAs not just because they are cheaper than the Creatives but they like them for their overall better performance. I would pick up the HDA and if you don't like it return it and get the X-Fi. I doubt seriously once you put one in your rig you will return it.

Mike Fassler · 07-25-2006, 12:19 AM

The HDA's really are the way to go, not only are they lower cost, but you dont have to deal with the relatively junky drivers that Creative releases for their cards.

Adam Bluhm · 07-25-2006, 08:37 AM

I guess I have two other questions. Do you fellas or anyone else have experience with 5.1 gaming with this card or the X-fi? (I'll be doing absolutely no dvd playback with the pc)

My other questions is how much better is EAX5 than 2? I guess Creative won't license EAX3+ to any other company at the moment.

Adam Bluhm · 07-25-2006, 02:27 PM

I went ahead and ordered the cheaper of the two Auzentech cards. It might be here this week and I hope this fixes my desire for surround gaming!

Mike Fassler · 07-25-2006, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Bluhm

I guess I have two other questions. Do you fellas or anyone else have experience with 5.1 gaming with this card or the X-fi? (I'll be doing absolutely no dvd playback with the pc)

My other questions is how much better is EAX5 than 2? I guess Creative won't license EAX3+ to any other company at the moment.

I use mine for 5.1 gaming all the time, definately blows away any other solutions. Good sound card + good receiver and speakers = Fraggin' Goodness.

also whats better than having your neighbors wondering if world war 3 is starting

Adam Bluhm · 07-26-2006, 09:07 AM

Thanks for the reply, Mike. You gave me a little more confidence that this card will work for me. If you don't mind me asking, what receiver and speakers are you running? I need to ask questions and bide the time until my card gets here. Just for kicks I also ordered a 4400+ due to the recent AMD price cuts. I'll be upgraded from the 3700+.

Quote:

also whats better than having your neighbors wondering if world war 3 is starting

That's half the idea.