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- Joined
- May 13, 2004
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Here is the deal, I currently do not have a sound card, I am using P6T Deluxe on board sound, which is not very good. Now I am looking for a good sound card, which will mostly used for music, but I do play game and movie.
My budget is 350 +- a little.
My top two candidates have been EMU 1212M and 0404 USB, I had 1212M for about two and half year, but only used S/PDIF output for my digital amp, so never really used it as an analog source. It seems the newer 0404 USB is very popular here and I read good things about, but I also read in reviews the measurements are not as good as 1212M.
The other things to consider is PCI vs USB, I never liked USB much, but I heard 0404 USB works very well with low latency. As for noise environment in PC, I have a very good power supply, Antec SG 850W, and I am only loading it to 500W max, the mother board's power module also considered as some of the best by reviewers, so I think it shouldn't be too bad.
Software, I since used 1212M for two and half years I can get though it's complex interface fine, but I can't say I like it or dislike it. I read the 0404 USB has a much easier to use interface. Another thing is I use Bx8a now, which has vol knob at back, I think the hardware vol of 0404 USB will come handy.
I don't do recording at all, so these features are moot point for me.
Now I am not sure how good is my MB's S/PDIF out, like I said I have P6T deluxe with ad2000b chip, does it support ASIO? How is the digital out quality in general? If it's good I will also consider a external DAC, preferable come with a vol knob.
Also if you think other sound cards are better, please recommend them too.
Thanks a lot.
My budget is 350 +- a little.
My top two candidates have been EMU 1212M and 0404 USB, I had 1212M for about two and half year, but only used S/PDIF output for my digital amp, so never really used it as an analog source. It seems the newer 0404 USB is very popular here and I read good things about, but I also read in reviews the measurements are not as good as 1212M.
The other things to consider is PCI vs USB, I never liked USB much, but I heard 0404 USB works very well with low latency. As for noise environment in PC, I have a very good power supply, Antec SG 850W, and I am only loading it to 500W max, the mother board's power module also considered as some of the best by reviewers, so I think it shouldn't be too bad.
Software, I since used 1212M for two and half years I can get though it's complex interface fine, but I can't say I like it or dislike it. I read the 0404 USB has a much easier to use interface. Another thing is I use Bx8a now, which has vol knob at back, I think the hardware vol of 0404 USB will come handy.
I don't do recording at all, so these features are moot point for me.
Now I am not sure how good is my MB's S/PDIF out, like I said I have P6T deluxe with ad2000b chip, does it support ASIO? How is the digital out quality in general? If it's good I will also consider a external DAC, preferable come with a vol knob.
Also if you think other sound cards are better, please recommend them too.
Thanks a lot.