A/V Sound card

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by David, 21 Aug 2011.

  1. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    Since my X-Fi card signed out, with the spectacular screech of death, I've been making do with the onboard chip.

    I can't bear it anymore, I'm sick to death of all my music sounding muddy and flat. Seriously, how does anyone put up with that?

    Anyhoo, I'm not minted, so what's the best card out there for less than £50?

    Anyone?
     
  2. fdbh96

    fdbh96 What's a Dremel?

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    One of the asus xonars that is under £50 :D
     
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  3. TheManicGibbon

    TheManicGibbon I have no idea what's going on

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    Perhaps;
    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/creative-labs-sb-x-fi-xtreme-audio-pci-express-x1-new-version
    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-xonar-dg-dg-headphone-amplifier-and-51-pci-sound-card-oem
    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-xonar-dg-51-pci-surround-sound-card-with-headphone-amp

    I've not had personal experience of the Xonar cards but I believe they're very good; I have an X-Fi card (Xtreme Gamer) and it's brilliant. I own a lot of other Creative stuff so I'd certainly recommend another one of them :)
     
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  4. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    I'm surprised at the price of those two xonar cards.
     
  5. Bede

    Bede Minimodder

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    Xonar DS is another option, should be around 35-40 quid.
     
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  6. jimmyjj

    jimmyjj Minimodder

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    When you install a separate sound card do you have to plug your front panel headers in to it directly?
     
  7. chrismarkham1982

    chrismarkham1982 Multimodder

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    broken record moment: factory refurbished x-fi extreme music SB0460 can be had for just under 20 quid (pci)
     
  8. TheStockBroker

    TheStockBroker Modder

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    Yes. :)
     
  9. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    Where, Chris?
     
  10. GuilleAcoustic

    GuilleAcoustic Ook ? Ook !

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  11. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    Unfortunately not. Those two are well outside my reach at the moment.

    I just want a good card, for as cheap as possible. I haven't paid any attention to sound card reviews over the past couple of years, so I'm not up to speed on which offer the best value.
     
  12. jbloggs

    jbloggs What's a Dremel?

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    The Asus XONAR DG is excellent value for the money and would be your best bet under £50...
     
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  13. GuilleAcoustic

    GuilleAcoustic Ook ? Ook !

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    I have a M-Audio Audiophile 2496 that I'm not using, but this is a pure stereo card (no 5.1, 7.1, EAX, etc.)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  14. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    Thanks, but not really what I'm looking for. I don't want to change my speaker setup for the sake of a new sound card.
     
  15. GuilleAcoustic

    GuilleAcoustic Ook ? Ook !

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    What is your speaker setup ? But as mentioned, xonar's will be great for short budget.
     
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  16. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    Currently 5.1 but, to be honest, I'm considering swapping them for my son's 2.1 system.

    I'm going to have a look at some xonar reviews.

    Thanks to all of you for your input.
     

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