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Soundcard - digital audio?

P

pmradio

n00b
Joined
Jul 1, 2004
Messages
59
I've been browsing this thread trying to learn about the diffferent sound options for my new system. I'm planning on purchasing an Abit NF7-S, which has Soundstorm. I will be hooking these up to a Klipsch Promedia 2.1 system. Basically, I'm just trying to understand how to get the best sound.

I will be using this for movies and music and rarely, games. I had thought about an Audigy, but looks like that may not be what I need.

Also, from reading, it sounds like Soundstorm only comes into play using a digital connection. How would I use this with my speakers and would this be better than a separate sound card? Thanks...from a n00b.
 
SoundStorm only applies to digital connections as you've said. Analog connections will depend on the codec they have on the board. Most likely it'll be ALC 650 or something along those lines. It is very likely that a standalone soundcard would offer better sound quality for analog connections.
 
Thanks! I've checked my regular stereo receiver and it's old enough that it does not have a digital in. What's the least expensive option for getting the digital decoder to connect my 2.1's to? Thanks.
 
I would recommend buying a sound card to replace the onboard audio, generally it seems that the choices are the audigy 2 ZS for gaming, or the revo for music quality.
 
I don't really plan on doing much gaming, but I do like the front panel controls on the audigy platinum. Is the Audigy inferior for music? Any links to really good reviews? Thanks!
 
 
Thanks for the links! I know it's kind of crazy, but I like the front breakout box of the audigy. However, I almost never game, at least not where sounds would matter. However, I do play some music from CD and also we play DVD's (we don't have a TV, so the computer is it for viewing.) I'll give your suggestions some thought.
 
Thanks, jamestime88. I'm kind of now trying to decide if the Revo is worth the extra $70 or so over the Chaintech. Appreciate the suggestion.
 
pmradio said:
Thanks, jamestime88. I'm kind of now trying to decide if the Revo is worth the extra $70 or so over the Chaintech. Appreciate the suggestion.
Click to expand...
From what i understand, the music quality difference between the chaintech and revo are negligible, but then again the music quality between soundstorm and those two are neglible once again, i'd probably take agent zero's advice and upgrade your reciever since nforce2 mcp-t digital audio kicks butt.

Lets make things more interesting and confusing for you now :D

***Has anyone heard that the Chaintech AV710 can be firmware flashed into an audiotrak Prodigy 7.1 ?***
Here are a few threads that contain more links and info within them:

http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=75844 info and bios flasher linked inside

http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=48509&highlight=prodigy more info

A few people refer to a large thread at AVS forums that detail the flash and results (i'll link it here if i find it). Apparently this boosts the chaintech 7.1's digital capability, but not analog. Here's a link to the audiotrak prodigy 7.1 if anyone is curious...

Edit: started a new thread about this topic here: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=779537
 
SJetski71 said:
From what i understand, the music quality difference between the chaintech and revo are negligible, but then again the music quality between soundstorm and those two are neglible once again, i'd probably take agent zero's advice and upgrade your reciever since nforce2 mcp-t digital audio kicks butt.
Click to expand...

Even though I have Klipsch, because it's just the 2.1 system, would I notice a difference with the digital, vs. going with the Revo or Chaintech?
 
pmradio said:
Even though I have Klipsch, because it's just the 2.1 system, would I notice a difference with the digital, vs. going with the Revo or Chaintech?
Click to expand...
Not 100% sure but it wouldn't cost a dime to wait and try it out. Now if you rush into buying a soundcard then later find out soundstorm works just as good, then you'll be out $24~$100
 
MisterX has played around with teh Chaintech and implied that he wasn't too impressed with it. I've not heard it, but I value his opinion highly. I would like to hear his comments regarding the comparision between the Revo and the Chaintech.
 
In my searchings of this forum, I've seen the MisterX posts. I'd be interested to hear his opinion as well. Thanks for those that have already posted.

SJetski71: My current receiver does not have a digital decoder, so soundstorm would be of no use to me unless I purchase either a standalone decoder, like the Klipsch DD-5.1 or the Creative DDTS. It looks like Klipsch is only available as used if I can find someone selling one for a decent price or the Creative runs about $115 or so.
 
As a two channel high res audio source the AV-710 is a very good deal.
But that is exactly what bothers me about this card.
It is to good at one thing and not very good at anything else. As a multichannel gaming card..... it sucks. For multichannel DVD playback... it sucks.
But then again you get what you pay for. :D
 
Thanks, Mister X. I'd rather have the flexibility to upgrade; sounds like the Revo is a better choice.

Another n00b question. My speakers are a 2.1 system. If I just plug my old speakers into the port for the rears, will that give me a cheap 4.1 system?
 
If I already have a decent receiver, what would be the quality difference between getting one of the refurbs you listed above and something like the Klipsch DD-5.1 (assuming I could find one for sale) or the Creative DDTS-100?
 
Well, it's decent for my needs right now. It's actually nothing much compared to even the refurbs listed as it's about 8 years old at least. My speakers hooked up to it are homemade jobs, but at this point I'm not ready to upgrade them. So, I'm not sure I want to upgrade the receiver, which is about 10 feet away, and then have long cables running back and forth. That's why I was wondering about something much smaller like the two units I mentioned above.
 
Technics SA-GX350. I'm sure I got it on a great sale. On the front, it does say Dolby Digital and "Pro Logic" but I can't find any optical or digial inputs on the back, just RCA's.

Here's what the front looks like. I can't seem to find much more info on it on the web.
 
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