Before I get an EMU 0404...

[globalist]

... I have several questions that I need answered badly and would really appreciate if someone on this nice forum could do it. So here goes:

0) Is this card really better/more reliable than my other purchase option- the M-Audio Audiophile 2496? I know it has the hardware DSP and "sounds" supposedly better in RightMark, but my deciding factor would rather be stability and also HTPC/gamingPC usage. That being said, my main reason for considering the 0404 is recording MIDI/audio in Reason. And who says you can't have the best of the two worlds?

1) Can this card pass-through DD/DTS 5.1 signal over SPDIF to my digital receiver just like my onboard ALC850 can?

2) How about sound in games? Will it work without problems?

3) If the answer to 1 and 2 is "No", how well can this card co-exist alongside an onboard realtek ALC850 solution? Driver conflicts, BSODs, application conflicts, anything like that with using both sound cards? I heard you'll have to set up two different hardware profiles in Windoze for this... Or would I have to disable the onboard sound altogether?


4) Any other advice you can give me before I make this purchase?

5) Since I don't have a mixer/analog receiver will there be any drawback from connecting this card via SPDIF to the digital receiver in my signature?

thank you all for your answers

 

[Drewpy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by globalist ... I have several questions that I need answered badly and would really appreciate if someone on this nice forum could do it. So here goes:

0) I got no idea. I think M-Audio has a better reputation for their drivers.

1) No, the E-Mu cannot currently pass-through a DD, DTS signal. The chipset is capable of this (its the same as used in the SB Audigy) but the E-Mu drivers do not support it. The E-Mu cards are designed for audio recording and production. I don't think adding DD/DTS pass-through is high up on the list of priorities.

2) I had slight problems with HL2 and my E-Mu. The game would stutter occasionally. This may have been fixed in more recent driver releases. Again, its an audio recording/production sound card, gaming compatibility isn't a high priority. The following statement is from the 0404 manual, and indicates that you *shouldn't* have any problems. Quote:

The Digital Audio System drivers are not signed because the driver does not support some of the consumer audio features that the Microsoft driver signing program requires, most notably Digital Rights Management. However, the Digital Audio System drivers have been rigorously tested using the same test procedures that a signed driver requires, and it passes in all important categories, including those that measure the relative stability of the driver. So, it is perfectly safe to install these drivers on your computer.

3) I have my 0404 co-existing with the NForce2 Soundstorm on-board audio of my motherboard. No problems at all. I use the optical digital out of the on-board into the E-Mu, and the E-Mu's analog outs to my receiver/speakers. The Soundstorm is the default Windows audio device (for games etc), while I use the E-Mu for music playback and a little recording.

4) The Patchmix Drivers do have a bit of a steep learning curve. But once you get used to it, you find that its a pretty powerful interface.

5) You'll only get 2 channel PCM out from the 0404, whether its digital or analog. The E-Mu's DACs are likely of a higher quality than your speaker system, so the analog outs may be preferred (of course, you should do your own testing and go with what sounds best to you)