[7even]

I'm trying to decide on a new audio card for my PC. I used to use an M-Audio Revolution 7.1 and I thought that sounded good until I upgraded to Vista (getting used to the cheap onboard sound again was a painful few days..) I've pretty much narrowed it down to two choices. On one hand there's the Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic for $70, and on the other there's the Sondigo Inferno for $80.

I'm going to be primarily listening to music/watching movies using the analog outputs, with some occasional gaming. My main equipment is some decent-sounding Logitech Z560 4.1s from a few years ago. I already have a few LM4562 opamps here to stick on an X-Fi if I convince myself to finally get that card but of course having great sound out of the box without voiding any warranties right away is a plus. So which card would be better?

I've read a ton of reviews and threads on every possible forum and I still can't really make up my mind. To add to the confusion, everyone just keeps bringing up the (clearly superior) Auzentech X-Meridian, but that card is really out of my pricerange.

Thanks for nudges in either direction

 

[Ahriman4891]

Looks like Inferno will be better for your needs.

 

[7even]

Sweet. Anyone else? I saw a review on TechReport where they basically chose an X-Fi over the Inferno for the overall "balanced" sound quality (and an X-Meridian over both). Could a modded X-Fi be a sure win?

 

[pompon]

Why mod a X-Fi and risk to damage it when for just few more dollar you can have better with X-Meridian ?

We only mod when the only option to have better is something far more expansive.

 

[7even]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pompon /img/forum/go_quote.gif Why mod a X-Fi and risk to damage it when for just few more dollar you can have better with X-Meridian ? We only mod when the only option to have better is something far more expansive.

"Few more"? The difference is $90-100

 

[7even]

Not that many care or anything, but I managed to talk myself into an X-Meridian so that should be arriving some time

 

[Ahriman4891]

Congrats! At least you know your soundcard will scale up well as you get better acoustic equipment

You pretty much can't do better as far as consumer soundcards are concerned.