Soundcard for Gaming, and Music?

[10068]

I am looking for a soundcard for games (Mostly RPG and FPS) and music as well.

For music, my primary concerns are the PRAT and musicality (I don't like a clinical or analytical sound), but also would score points if it had a reasonable amount of detail and dynamics (not sure i'm using the right word here. When i say dynamics i mean the ability to playback complex passages and many isntruments at once without feeling cluttered or clipping)

For games, mostly the same applies. Adequate detail and soundstaging is a must, a balance between highs and lows is nice too.


I ask because i used to have a Black Gates-modded Emu 1212m, which was GREAT for music.. but sucked for games

It doesn't really support WDM or DirectSound. Bleh.

EDIT: Wish List = support for EAX and other game-specific sounds encoding


Does a card like this exist?!?!

 

[Joeywhat]

Auzentech Prelude.

 

[Iceroid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeywhat /img/forum/go_quote.gif Auzentech Prelude.

x2

 

[ROBSCIX]

You can't really do better then a Auzentech Prelude right now for gaming. They sound great for music also..

 

[spacemanspliff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX /img/forum/go_quote.gif You can't really do better then a Auzentech Prelude right now for gaming. They sound great for music also..

Yeah that is the easy answer. You CAN use two sound cards with XP with a little effort but I never tried it.

 

[Joeywhat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacemanspliff /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah that is the easy answer. You CAN use two sound cards with XP with a little effort but I never tried it.

I've tried it...it's dumb. Too much malarchy for it to be worth it.
Plus, the Prelude might as well be two cards in one...X-Fi for gaming, X-Meridian for music/movie.

I had both an X-Fi and Auzen card going, BTW.

 

[Shahrose]

very easy answer: auzentech prelude. great sq for music, and best sound card for gaming.

 

[Joshatdot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeywhat /img/forum/go_quote.gif Auzentech Prelude.

+1 Good luck finding one..AuzenTech is out of stock till Oct 29th

 

[Scottyyy]

Modded X-fi?

 

[10068]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeywhat /img/forum/go_quote.gif Auzentech Prelude.

Wow, that's x8 now. lol

I found it for $229.99 on NewEgg. Anyone else seen it cheaper?


EDIT: Interesting someone notes that it uses solid state caps unlike the E-MU... I wonder what the SQ of this card is compared to EMU? Do we have that documented in any threads here?

 

[Logistics]

Solid state? Err, solid electrolyte... polymer caps? They have really high ripple handling, but really high leakage current. If it sounds much better than the E-MU, this is likely not why, but it could contribute.

 

[Feebleminded]

Does anyone know of an online retailer that has the Prelude actually in stock? Newegg has been out of stock for quite a while and all the other places I have checked are as well.

 

[10068]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logistics /img/forum/go_quote.gif Solid state? Err, solid electrolyte... polymer caps? They have really high ripple handling, but really high leakage current. If it sounds much better than the E-MU, this is likely not why, but it could contribute.

Have people here said it sounds better than the EMU? I was just asking if we have comparisons between the two.

 

[10068]

For those that were curious... I bought the Auzen Prelude and it is quite nice. Not sure if it's worth the pricetag, but very nice indeed nonetheless. I think I prefer it over my old EMU 1212m.

Thanks again for all the input!

-Sdu/DK