[elec999]

My friend let me borrow his firewire maudio, 24bit/192. I just love it, I really cant tell if it actually inproves sound quality, but I can feel less distorsion, smoother bass, etc. This sound card is way too much money. Is there a cheaper solution from another brand, creative xfi, or even a cheaper maudio.
Thanks

 

[chesebert]

buy the CD. Its really cheap at fraction the cost of sound card.

 

[exX08]

There are cheaper X-Fi cards out now. I think the lowest price one is around like $50.

I do agree with the previous poster just get the CD.

 

[feh1325]

import at a higher bitrate

 

[Gatticus]

Playing from the cd defeats the convenience of MP3's.

How much do you want to spend on a soundcard? M-Audio Revolution is decent and not too expensive. Chaintech AV-710 is cheap and good and uses the same sound chip as the M-Audio Revo but the Revo has better DAC's.

 

[jmmtn4aj]

Good soundcards only allow you to hear quality that's always been there. It doesn't improve the mp3 in any way, just your perception of it.

 

[elec999]

I am willing to spend around $150. The Chaintech AV-710 is dirt cheap $30cad, should I pick one up.
Thanks

 

[emericanchaos]

Quote:

Originally Posted by elec999 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am willing to spend around $150. The Chaintech AV-710 is dirt cheap $30cad, should I pick one up. Thanks

http://www.guygraphics.com/GGPROD-647.html

 

[unkno]

Get the Revo, I have it and it sounds pretty good.

 

[nelamvr6]

If you want to improve the quality of your mp3's you have to encode them right.

Use VBR with high quality settings. Or just use high bit rate CBR.

 

[sonicm]

I think by improve mp3 quality he mean make his mp3's sound better, via a better soundcard.

 

[nelamvr6]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonicm /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think by improve mp3 quality he mean make his mp3's sound better, via a better soundcard.

Fair enough, I guess the thread title and some of the earlier replies threw me.

Still, it was good advice anyways.

 

[terrymx]

and for the record, control the speed of cd ripping and choose "paranoia" for maximum accuracy for scratched disc.

 

[emericanchaos]

Quote:

Originally Posted by unkno /img/forum/go_quote.gif Get the Revo, I have it and it sounds pretty good.

or he could just get the peice he originally wanted within his budget by following my link.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emericanchaos /img/forum/go_quote.gif http://www.guygraphics.com/GGPROD-647.html

Audiophile USB under $140

 

[elec999]

Can anyone comment on the AuzenTech HDA X-Mystique 7.1 ive heard its better then the xfi. Something that popped in my mind, I have a Pioneer VSX-816 just wondering if the amplifier its self can make a difference in mp3 sound quality, so Iwont need a good sound card anymore
Thanks