Quality of sound card.

**Tha Hombre** · 04-20-2004, 08:37 PM

Hi all!

I'm running an Asus Micro-atx board with 5.1 sound on-board. I'm really into the quality of my car audio, hence i've spent thousands on the setup. Will there be a huge difference in sound quality if i upgrade to another sound card, rather than using the on-board one? If so, what would you guys recommend?

The system will run through the aux of a Pioneer HU.

Thanks
Dom

**Banderon** · 04-20-2004, 08:55 PM

Is the Aux on the Pioneer digital? Cause if it's just the analog stereo inputs, you're only using the L/R channels.

**Sinorm** · 04-20-2004, 10:07 PM

If you've spent $1000s on car audio, then you definatly need to put an aftermarket sound card in the computer. You can install an audigy 2 if you have an open PCI slot, or get one of the USB Audigy's if you don't.

**mbkowns** · 04-20-2004, 10:28 PM

alot of the new motherboards audio cards sound just fine especially for stereo....

**Sinorm** · 04-20-2004, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by mbkowns

alot of the new motherboards audio cards sound just fine especially for stereo....

"just fine" is a relative term. Tell someone who uses a $10,000 McIntosh amplifier that your $150 Sony sounds "just fine" and see what he says. This guy sounds like he has a serious sound system, and using the integrated sound would be significantly hampering the overall audio quality.

**c0rrupti0n** · 04-20-2004, 11:53 PM

I suggest a simple audigy 2 5.1 , they run around 40 bucks on ebay and are the same quality as the newer 6.1 audigy's

**mbkowns** · 04-20-2004, 11:54 PM

Whats funny to me is that mp3s are sterero... and its not going to make a difference... 5.1 in a car is dumb dolby pro logic is all you will get out of a mp3 but even dolby pro logic in a car sounds good.

Only way you should even consider 5.1 + is if you have a very large truck or BUS.

but to answer the question seriously these new motherboards offer much better sound cards then they used to. Only difference now seems to be overhead processing .. Most of the onboard cards support EAX, etc...

**Pudge** · 04-21-2004, 12:06 AM

mb can't you encode certain formats into 5.1. Not necessarily MP3, but if you're paying that much for audio sound quality, why would you want mp3's as opposed to a lossless format?

Also, don't go with the audidy 2 nx. I've heard bad things, better to go with extigy or something alon that line.

**Banderon** · 04-21-2004, 12:56 AM

The point of 5.1 is surround sound. DVDs have it, MP3s and any other audio source can be expanded to it. If you're going all out for a good audio system, get a DSP. No sound card can compare to that.

Read these 2 threads:

Car 5.1 Dsp Options Vs Pc 5.1 Dsp
For those who want true 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS

**Sinorm** · 04-21-2004, 01:08 AM

The reason everyone recommend 5.1 cards is not because you will actually run 6 speakers off the card (I have never used my Audigy 2 for more than 2 speakers), its just that they don't make high end sound cards that only support stereo sound. So, if you want the best quality sound card, you buy a card that has 5.1 support, but just use it in stereo mode.