Sound cards and recording quality

[kwantity]

the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS has 24 bit/ 96khz for $80-90. is it decent? if +$30 dollars is going to get me a card much better i wouldnt mind that. any help or does anyone even use these for recording.

[Blue Bear Sound]

Soundbalster is a gaming card, NOT a recording card. And as far as quality goes, in digital recording, it all rests with the quality of the converters.... cheap cards usually mean cheap converters, which results in cheap sound.........

The M-Audio Audiophile is a budget card with at least decent converters (not in pro leagues by any stretch, but perfect for home use...) I wouldn't look at anything lower than that.......

[kwantity]

i c. that does make sence.

the audiophile is only $100 dollars... im down with spending a extra$20 dollars if the difference is pretty distinguishable.

[punkin]

The SB is crap. If it's all you've got...work with it for the practice for getting the best you can with the gear but utlimately, you'll be looking for a pupose built recording interface.

best of luck to you.

[kwantity]

why thank u

theres also there are the

Terratec EWS88D for 150
m audio delta 44 for 150
m audio delta 66 for 200

can someone tell me what they add for the price difference? more slots?

[fruttayo]

which one offers better sound & better options for producing & recording in general:

EMU 1212M

or

TERRATEC DXM6 FIRE

they cost exactly the same in our shop. I'm not too much at home with all the technical specs yet, so I've been racking my head on my own for too long now....please help?

thank you

[manning1]

you know its getting really hard to say which is better. the only TRUE
way is to record tracks with each, and hear for yourself any differences.
i'm contemplating a major upgrade this year, and its particularly difficult given the pace of change in sound card technology. even for a tekkie like me !
one thing to remember is - not just sound card audio quality but also focus on how good the software drivers are. for example rme are known to be solid drivers. its no good having a great sound card if you get driver problems.
just something to think about.