Thread: Ultimate USB, Firewire, External Soundcard List

Something that might be a little misleading on the audigy 2 NX spec sheet:


The spec sheet for the NX lists "S/PDIF format input signal of up to 24-bit/96kHz quality"...this is NOT what is able to be achieved via the input labelled "s/pdif in" on the card ...the toslink input on the NX is only capable of absorbing a 44.1 khz stereo signal. The company says it's for "minidisk only", but that information isn't on the product home page, you'll have to get a copy of the instruction manual to find that. The card cannot take input of a 5.1 channel ac3 stream from an external dvd player via toslink, for example, and decode it for output on its analog connections. The older extigy could, the NX cannot. This makes the NX a poor choice for those who wish to decode 5.1 from, say, an XBox 360 or Playstation 3, or a stand-alone DVD player, or anything other than a stereo source. Creative says it's a bandwidth problem, I think it's because they want to sell you "Platinum Edition" PCI cards with cheap, high-margin riser boards for the added capability.

Otherwise, the card CAN do 5.1-7.1 from an ac3/dts source internal to the computer via usb, or dvd-audio up to 96khz in 5 channels from an internal source via usb, or downsampled stereo for higher bitrate dvd-a from an internal source via usb. The NX can also pass a dvd bitstream from internal to the PC to an external decoder...it just can't grab an external dvd bitstream and decode it.

hey thanks for the reply on my other thread.. and thanks for the link as well.. i am now looking at each of the products you have listed.. Now i am wondering, I am using the Sven4 at the moment to hook up to my stock harness in order to use my stock HK Amp.. now reason why i wanted to go with teh M-Audio audiophile is because it has 4 channel analog output.. my question, I am looking at the "Roadie" and though it supports more than 4 channel, it is not analog, what would be the best way in your opinion for me to go about to hook it up to the "SVEN4" if i were to purchase the ROADIE ?? thank you..

-Steph'
CoupeE46 is online now Report Post Edit/Delete Message

guys can anyone tell me if something like the zalman or creative USB sound cards can do 4.1 output?

I have 4 speakers and a sub in my car. I would like a sound card that can output to 4.1 channels

The Zalman is a pile of poop. I might be the only guy in the world that owns one. This thing overheats if you look at it the wrong way. Must really say something about Zalman's other product line, heatsinks....

It sounded ok when it worked. Didn't blow me away. For the price, get the creative SB live, or go cheaper. Much cheaper.

For the EN15000G, would you recommend a PCI or USB sound card, or should the on-board one be good?