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Best PCI soundcard for grado sr-80? - Page 2

post #16 of 28
1/3/06 at 4:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soundstorm
Actually the latest drivers for the Prodigy 7.1 is 2.18, available on the Korean Audiotrak website. But the Prodigy 7.1 is discontinued these days, replaced by the Prodigy 7.1LT.
Interesting. Any idea what updates there are in the latest driver update?
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post #17 of 28
1/3/06 at 4:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soundstorm
Actually the latest drivers for the Prodigy 7.1 is 2.18, available on the Korean Audiotrak website. But the Prodigy 7.1 is discontinued these days, replaced by the Prodigy 7.1LT.

http://www.audiotrak.co.kr/audiotrak...98(051025).zip
Muchas gracias! This driver considerably reduces the crackle sensitivity. With 2.012, it was easy to permanently disturb the sound by using the G3 attached to the USB port (PCI INT# routing on my P2B-D means that PCI slot 4 shares an interrupt with USB, and my "AureDigy" is just there), with only changing the ASIO buffer size (=reset) fixing things, while now USB activity only results in temporarily disturbed sound. With the ProDigy 7.1XT ads saying something about a "PCI Noise Killer" feature, I guess this driver is the reason.
Oh, and it might be just me imagining things (grain of salt etc.), but it seems to be better sounding, too.

EDIT: Here's the Prodigy 7.1LT equivalent:
http://www.audiotrak.co.kr/audiotrak...98(051025).zip
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post #18 of 28
1/3/06 at 4:53pm
Thread Starter 
Would i REALLY notice that much difference in games (mainly cs:s) between the three soundcards recommended?

I.e. i dont want to invest in a second pair of cans...

And i know the grado's soundstage isn't the best, but what soundcard would give me the best [soundstage for games / music quality] combo?

I'm leaning slightly more towards the x-fi now, having read only good reviews etc.

But the m-audio is half price...

Oh the dilemma, if only i had unlimited money
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post #19 of 28
1/13/06 at 12:04am
Thread Starter 
Just reviving this thread again.. I realised the creative x-fi didnt have a toslink optical out...

Is there a good soundcard then for the alessandro ms-1 (yes, ordered that one instead =)) that's good for gaming, and has tolink as well?

Thanks again...

SineTwo
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post #20 of 28
1/13/06 at 12:39am
Let me say it again: Audiotrak Prodigy 7.1 (or any of its variants).
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post #21 of 28
1/13/06 at 12:51am
Thread Starter 
yeah but it doesnt have tos link... anyway, how does it work with your grado sr-80s? and with gaming? and what's this q-sound dilemma with it?
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post #22 of 28
1/13/06 at 1:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sinetwo
yeah but it doesnt have tos link... anyway, how does it work with your grado sr-80s? and with gaming? and what's this q-sound dilemma with it?
I believe the LT version has the optical-out facilities.

The Prodigy has an excellent synergy with the SR-80: a balanced sound that helps to keep the SR-80's enthusiastic treble at bay. With gamings, I don't believe you can hear much difference between soundcards with a 2-channel setup and headphones (compared to multi-channel setups). Add to that the fact Grados (and Alessandro-tuned Grados) have inherently compressed soundstage that is not very convincing for positional gaming. No soundcard can properly compensate for that.

Cheers!
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post #23 of 28
1/13/06 at 3:33am
Thread Starter 
Sweet, thanks a lot for the info!

But the LT = pci-x innit?

If so, then i have to get the 7.1... Any major disadvantages between the regular 7.1 and LT? Does the regular 7.1 have Qsound? (couldn't find any info on the website)
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post #24 of 28
1/13/06 at 4:23am
I am aware only that the LT is a low-profile version of the regular Prodigy and also supposedly to still be available for sale (I heard that the regular Prodigy is out of production, though I may be wrong). I'm not sure if a PCIe-compatible soundcard can be used in a regular PCI slot (anyone else who has done this and can confirm for us?), but I suppose an e-mail to the Audiotrak technical support will help shed some light on this.

The regular Prodigy has the QSound feature, but I've never ever used it. It looks like your regular stereo expander/spatialiser/whatever, which I suppose can work wonders with games. I am mainly a music-listener though and always hold the belief that simple 2-channel sound on headphones/stereo systems is ideal with games.

Just to make you envious, I'm currently listening to Maksim (variations part I & II) on the Prodigy (head-amp off) with the SR-80 (reversed bowls), and enjoying the heck out of it. Such good sound for such modest investment.

Cheers!
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post #25 of 28
1/13/06 at 4:57am
Thread Starter 
Oh that's sweet! too bad it's not for sale any more... i really could use a regular PCI for that price... since i dont have pci-x and i won't be able to upgrade (gotta change my agp gfx card, ddr -> ddr2, socket etc) untill xmas of this year (i.e. a loooooong time)...

Isn't m-audio revo the same then?
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post #26 of 28
1/13/06 at 5:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sinetwo
Oh that's sweet! too bad it's not for sale any more... i really could use a regular PCI for that price... since i dont have pci-x and i won't be able to upgrade (gotta change my agp gfx card, ddr -> ddr2, socket etc) untill xmas of this year (i.e. a loooooong time)...

Isn't m-audio revo the same then?
As I said, I am not sure if the regular Prodigy is out of sale now. It may just be uncommon. I've seen heaps of them on sale when I was passing through Singapore (oh well...). You should e-mail Audiotrak and ask if a Prodigy LT will work on mainboards with normal PCI slots.

The M-Audio Revo 7.1 I own has some emphasis on the treble (attributing to its "sweet" character), which does not synergise as well with the SR-80. The M-Audio Revo 5.1 is supposed to be better, but I've never heard one and if we can assume that the 5.1 retains the "sweet" character of its 7.1 brother, the more balanced Prodigy will still sound better with the Grado. The E-MU 1212 soundcard should also work well with the SR-80 (thanks to its more neutral presentation compared to the more excitable 0404). I don't know if it fits within your budget though.

Regards.
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post #27 of 28
1/13/06 at 5:11am
Thread Starter 
Ah, you've got me all hyped on the prodigy now... I will get one, it's just a matter of where i can find it... Would you happen to know how much it "was" when they were common?

Thanks for the advice!
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post #28 of 28
1/13/06 at 5:18am
When I was in Singapore, the AudioTrak Prodigy and M-Audio Revolutions (5.1 & 7.1) had the same shelf price. I believe that translates to just below US$100.

Cheers!


p.s. I got mine second hand from a user who supposedly has upgraded to a "higher-end" card. I got the card in mint condition for $50 + shipping.
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