Newbie wants an upgrade from terrible SBLive

[Veniogenesis]

So I'm a complete newbie when it comes to computer-as-source audio. I'm oblivious to almost everything computer audio related (in terms of hardware that is). I tried reading through all the threads in this forum, and it's confusing! Ahhhhh!

I don't know what kind of specs I need to post so that you guys might have a sense of what I need, but this is what I currently have:

SoundBlaster Live!
ATH-A500 and JBL Creatures

Recommendations, recommendations...

I probably need something to fit nicely with the headphones.
Gaming isn't really an issue, just music.
Emu0404? AVI710? Audigy 2? Prodigy? Ahhhh!!
Maybe <$100 USD
Music style: Trance/Acoustics/Industrial

Hehehe thanks sooo very much everyone!
Cheers,
Venio

P.S. Dang... a SBLive is worse than the crappiest CD player I've ever heard.

 

[Blitzula]

I've tried both an EMU-1212M and 0404 at length. The 1212M is great if you like a smoother, more refined sound. The 0404 is solid for a punchy and exciting sound. I'd recommend either based on your tastes. As you've probably read, the 0404 is $99 and the 1212 is $199.

 

[llmobll]

or... if you aren't sure how much you are going to pour into this hobby the Chaintech AV-710 is a good card.

Basically is boils down to:

1. Keep your SB card for gaming.

2. Buy a dedicated soundcard for music only.

Value Market:
Chaintech AV-710


Mid: E-MU 0404

Higher End: E-MU 1212m or various other high priced cards that i'm not aware of.


I personally had the SBLive, Audigy 1&2, and when I jumped into this hobby i bought a AV-710. The biggest difference is a much greater detail all around. Depending on what you want you setup to be like you can upgrade from there.

edit: personally I think the 0404 is a great card. I stop short of calling it the best because I haven't heard anything above this. I've started to mod my 0404 (which is a very popular thing to do) and DAMN this card really is great. I'm so impressed with it I never looked back. To me it's the best card for the money. period.

 

[cozycactus]

can i use my AKG k141 STUDIO headphones right from the emu 0404 output?

 

[isp]

The chaintech is very affordable. Why not just pick one up and try it. If you don't like it, you're not out that much. You could resell it pretty easily too I'd imagine...

 

[Veniogenesis]

Yea, it seems like I'll take a small step by buying the AV710 first.

I'm expecting to buy an Emu next year though...

Thanks so much guys!

 

[Regus]

Not to scare you off computer audio or anything

But given the rather harsh description of the SB Live (not that I am an SB fan or anything) but you might considder the quality of your power supply...

I bought a E-MU 1212M to replace a Terratec DMX XFire and wasn't overly impressed with the improvement. Then I more or less accidently replaced the PSU because I wanted a more living room friendly case, I was rather suprised...

This was the when the change I had orriginally expected occured, classical music opened up and punk rock changed from being barely listenable to be enjoyable...

Now my PSU was a cheap as dirt, piece of junk Q-Tec 300W... you may well be better off.

Moral of my long winded story:
If you do not find the improvement over the SB-Live to be what you expected you may want to look at your PSU.

Based on what I have read I believe you should find a not so subtle improvement from the SB Live to the Chaintech but as I went straight from "gear that noone would even bother to mention here" to 1212M->SR-71->HD650/ER4 I don't know much about the Chaintech.

 

[ColdFlame]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regus Now my PSU was a cheap as dirt, piece of junk Q-Tec 300W... you may well be better off.

What PSU you upgraded to?

 

[Regus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColdFlame What PSU you upgraded to?

Seasonic (400W)

EDIT:
Wait a minute that actually is not true... That was another computer I put the Seasonic in... My AV computer I upgraded with the one that comes with the cooler master cavalier case.