Discussion Forums > Technology
Help choosing a sound card/sound system
bloody000:
Gamer -> Auzentech X-Fi
Movie/Music -> Xonar
Zayras:
Cool, good to know Bloody and Vuze I've heard more bad things about the Creative X-Fi's than the other cards, but I'm aware that they do make some good cards so I'll take into consideration the ones you mentioned.
BTW although I do game quite a bit, I'd prefer something that can reproduce music and movies/videos quite nicely and after reading up a bit the Xonar apparently doesn't always support EAX5 or w/e which improves performance in games (lol need to do more research), but according to quite a few people at several tech forums the Xonars perform better (generally) than the X-Fi's ...would you guys agree?
Also more ideas for a nice 5.1 sound system pls :P or are the ones I mentioned good??
kureshii:
Some reviews might help. Here's one from techreport on the Xonar DX. I'm planning on getting that myself for my next desktop/HTPC build - partly because the D2X is too pricey IMO, and also because I'm going for a slim build so the low-profile DX would be a better fit.
DigitalSteel:
Get a motherboard with optical out and put the money into an amp instead. Get some good speakers and a sub for it, you can always add more later for surround sound. More flexible and definitely higher quality than a sound card and PC speakers in my opinion.
I've got an Onkyo amp and Polk Monitor 70s with one of their powered subs in a 5.1 configuration. They are the best out of everything I've ever used or heard.
Also, you don't loose performance with optical out. The computer doesn't process the sound at all, the amp does.
Talapus:
--- Quote from: DigitalSteel on August 22, 2009, 08:19:33 AM ---The computer doesn't process the sound at all, the amp does.
--- End quote ---
You will have to get an amp with a DAC or else get a seperate DAC.
It is certainly the better way to go, but will probably cost you a fair share more than $400 (especially with good speakers).
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