X-fi Elite Pro vs Juli@ vs M-Audiophile 192 vs EMU 1212 (0404 USB)??

[ZzBOG]

Hello everybody,

I am lost in the jungle of dufferent reviews and opinions. Going to purchase a soundcard to connect it to Kenwood AMP (good one, but from 1998) and 2 pairs of Hi-fi speakers... No 5.1 only Stereo... But good one.

Can anybody recommend which soundcard will be the best choice?

Music and sound recordings for HD films (screams, shots etc).

Games rarelly... Mostly music.


Thanks!

 

[alex_cs]

apparently (i have yet to see the articles) the juli@'s output equals that of the lynx22. im not sure if that is its digital or analog output, but from all reports the juli@ is considered very highly. common complaints of the m-audio and 1212/0404 seem to be coldness.

my only experiences are with an av710, and a juli@. their optical outs are hard to pic a difference imho, and the av710 doesnt have coax digial out so i cant ocmpare there, but the juli@ coax is noticeable compared to the optical into the zhaolu.

 

[Solude]

If you game as well, X-Fi Music. If not then its between the Emu 1212m or Juli@. I wouldn't describe the Emu as cold. More of refined sound with just a touch of warmth otherwise its quite true to source.

My Tri-Vista is warmer, smoother, cleaner and has more depth but that depth can sound wrong on material where you would like a more forward presentation.

 

[003]

The digital outs on the Juli@ are of the same quality and spec of the Lynx Two (~$750).

 

[BushGuy]

Juli@ is the best of the "popularly priced" cards. Not the quite the quality of Lynx 2, but damn close. Actually, there can be arguements made for Emu 0404, when modded and used as an aid for correcting shortcomings of other components. I have used/tried Audigy and X-Fi and others - they do not compare favorably with the two aforementioned. I do not remember any Kenwood as being all that good........but as with all components in a sound system, it is all in the best mating/synergy of components. What I'm getting to is that I do not feel it is in your best interests to pay more for a sound card than the cost of a Juli@. Always put any additonal bucks into the speakers.

 

[Serge44]

Juli has the most cold and harsh sound.
X-Fi is a lower tier card by sound.

 

[slwiser]

Must be talking about its analog outs. It really isn't setup to power a headphone with its analog outs I think.

It claim to fame if any is its digital out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serge44 Juli has the most cold and harsh sound. X-Fi is a lower tier card by sound.

 

[Svperstar]

I love my X-Fi Elite Pro but it is really only a good solution if you are going to game a lot, better solutions for just listening to music.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serge44 X-Fi is a lower tier card by sound.

The Extreme music maybe but not the Elite Pro, it uses the same DACs as some $1,200 cd players

 

[Patu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serge44 Juli has the most cold and harsh sound. X-Fi is a lower tier card by sound.

Nothing like that IMO.

 

[Rambaud]

I went for the M-Audio 192 - big improvement over my Turtle Beach - which feeds a a Lite DAC-AH and Samson Rubicon 6A active Monitors.

 

[Solude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Svperstar The Extreme music maybe but not the Elite Pro, it uses the same DACs as some $1,200 cd players

So does HeadRoom's Micro DAC. The DAC chip used is hardly an indication of sound quality. The Music and Elite use the same circuit just different chips. Don't think you'll see anyone review either and compare it favourably to the Meridian G08 anytime soon

 

[yeeyy]

It is different circuit design between Elite Pro and Music.

 

[Solude]

My bad it is a reworked board.

 

[Dave_M]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serge44 Juli has the most cold and harsh sound.

I do not agree.

There are other things in favor of the Juli@. It has excelent drivers. It has the option of balanced inputs and outputs. People always recomend the X-Fi if you are into games but I do not see why because so many games like CS and doom3 have their own software sound engine. The only thing going for the X-Fi is its surround sound simulation for headphones.

See my sig for a good review of the Juli@.