[Thekarma]

I've tried Razer, CMSS 3D, Dolby and SBX. SBX is by far my favourite virtual surround. I run a Soundblaster Z (I'm very happy with it) but you can get just the software and run with your on-board sound-card for $29.99!
 
http://software.store.creative.com/p/software/sound-blaster-x-fi-mb3

 

[422561]

  I've tried Razer, CMSS 3D, Dolby and SBX. SBX is by far my favourite virtual surround. I run a Soundblaster Z (I'm very happy with it) but you can get just the software and run with your on-board sound-card for $29.99!
 
http://software.store.creative.com/p/software/sound-blaster-x-fi-mb3

 
How does that software compare to Sound Blaster Cinema 2?

 

[422561]

I have decided to steer clear of the G5 until there are more reviews on Amazon.com (at the moment it doesn't look very positive on there) and until the surround issues that have been brought up on Head-fi have been cleared up. The device is too expensive to take a punt on.
 
I am considering going with an internal sound card instead and outputting to a dedicated DAC/Amp via optical. For this reason I started asking about such devices in
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/799458/dac-amp-with-optical-in-and-low-output-impedance-4-ohm
 
I thought I would get more responses in there rather than asking the question in here as many who could answer it would not see it here.

 

[422561]

My final decision was to take a punt on the G5 as I couldn't find anything else that suited my use. I won't repeat myself so will just link to this
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/790796/creative-g5-discussion-and-reviews/240#post_12390904
 
I'm going to stick with it unless the Amazon reviews turn out to be true and it fails after about a month,

 

[seanwee]

  My final decision was to take a punt on the G5 as I couldn't find anything else that suited my use. I won't repeat myself so will just link to this
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/790796/creative-g5-discussion-and-reviews/240#post_12390904
 
I'm going to stick with it unless the Amazon reviews turn out to be true and it fails after about a month,

Good luck and all the best in your purchase !!!!

 

[422561]

Back to square one after this

http://www.head-fi.org/t/790796/creative-g5-discussion-and-reviews/255#post_12401726


I think I am ready to give up now and just stick with onboard stereo. Virtual surround is too much hassle. I won't touch another Creative product and I've had any interest in pursuing this further drained out of me.

 

[seanwee]

Back to square one after this

http://www.head-fi.org/t/790796/creative-g5-discussion-and-reviews/255#post_12401726


I think I am ready to give up now and just stick with onboard stereo. Virtual surround is too much hassle. I won't touch another Creative product and I've had any interest in pursuing this further drained out of me.

Wow ,bummer..............

 

[seanwee]

I would sue them if i could

 

[422561]

  I would sue them if i could

 
Why?
 
I appreciate there will always be a percentage of duff units. That's just a consequence of production lines that you just cannot eliminate entirely. However, I have previously had bad experiences with Creative products and along with the reviews on Amazon, it suggests that the G5 fault levels might be above normal levels.
 
For £130 I expected better quality to be honest. I'd rather just get my money back and either go back to onboard audio or go back to the E10K and forget virtual surround as the E10K amp worked a lot better with my 32 Ohm IEMs than my onboard does.
 
I never worked that out really. Why would a motherboard with ALC 1150 which says it can work with up to 600 Ohm headphones struggle at full volume with 32 Ohm IEMs?

 

[seanwee]

   
Why?
 
I appreciate there will always be a percentage of duff units. That's just a consequence of production lines that you just cannot eliminate entirely. However, I have previously had bad experiences with Creative products and along with the reviews on Amazon, it suggests that the G5 fault levels might be above normal levels.
 
For £130 I expected better quality to be honest. I'd rather just get my money back and either go back to onboard audio or go back to the E10K and forget virtual surround as the E10K amp worked a lot better with my 32 Ohm IEMs than my onboard does.
 
I never worked that out really. Why would a motherboard with ALC 1150 which says it can work with up to 600 Ohm headphones struggle at full volume with 32 Ohm IEMs?

Warranty?

 

[cskippy]

I've wanted to get an actual soundcard that does proper virtual surround sound unlike Razer headphone.  I have a Mixamp pro and it's okay but Dolby has too much reverb for me.  
 
Using this video, SBX Pro Studio 67% and 30% sound the best to me and the drone is clearly placed in its appropriate spot.  I can actually tell it's in front or behind without a doubt.  I haven't heard any other surround processing that does it that well.  

 
Is the Soundblaster Z the best quality option without other useless bells and whistles?  I'm going to be using the optical out to Gumby.  Thanks in advance!

 

[audioBenj]

Well, if you buy one of those 7.1 Surround sound gaming headsets, the feature can just be unlocked using their companion software. If you want to use a discrete soundcard, I highly recommend looking into the Creative Sound Blaster series soundcards.

 

[BrightCandle]

  I've wanted to get an actual soundcard that does proper virtual surround sound unlike Razer headphone.  I have a Mixamp pro and it's okay but Dolby has too much reverb for me.  
 
Using this video, SBX Pro Studio 67% and 30% sound the best to me and the drone is clearly placed in its appropriate spot.  I can actually tell it's in front or behind without a doubt.  I haven't heard any other surround processing that does it that well.  

 
Is the Soundblaster Z the best quality option without other useless bells and whistles?  I'm going to be using the optical out to Gumby.  Thanks in advance!

The GSX 1000 has better surround, but its an external DAC/AMP so you can't take optical out. The Soundblaster Z is second best and it can  be used that way.

 

[cskippy]

Yup, that's the only reason I didn't get the GSX 1000.  Soundblaster Z will be hear tomorrow, can't wait!