Sound Card Purchase – Opinions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jenny W
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Jenny W

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Hi guys.

I am getting a computer solely for MP3 files…so I can store massive amounts of sound clips, sound effects and songs.

That'll be the ONLY function of this computer – to store and play MP3 files. I won't be editing on this PC. I'll be doing that on another PC.


In your opinion…what kind of Sound Card do you guys suggest I get?


I’m curious because, since it’s an MP3 Computer – I want to enjoy it to the best I can (not only for storing files for editing use later) – in other words…I want to also use this PC as a Good Stereo :)


Thanks for reading!
Jenny ;)
 
Just get an audigy or even use on board sound if it's just for listening to mp3's
 
Soundblaster live! is super cheap and good quality playback.
 
The main reasons us recording folk spend a bit of money on soundcards is for multiple ins/outs and the quality of A-D (Analog-Digital) and D-A conversion. Putting analog signals into the digital realm is an important part of the chain (which can vary greatly in quality) and is critical to the sound quality in the finished product.

Multiple inputs and A-D conversion aren't an issue for you but you may want to consider a card that will give you better D-A conversion (from your comp out to your amp or whatever), it really depends what your standards are for quality (MP3 isn't a good format anyway in this respect).

If you really wanted a step up in D-A conversion from the stock or SB type cards though then the M Audio audiophile 2496 would be a good choice.
 
A SB or onboard soundcard will be "ok" for playing back, but if you're playing through a really nice speaker/amp system, you'll want to treat yourself to something better, like any M-Audio product. I have the Delta 44 which I use for recording, but I also have a big Media Library in WMP, and the sound is great coming out of my Tannoy Reveals, even though I'm listening to compressed stuff.
 
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum beats the hell out of M-Audio, IMHO. But, then again, that is my opinion. Sound Blaster were the inventors of computer audio and still do everything just right most of the time. And, you are guaranteed not to have driver issues with Windows XP or other OS's. You can't say that for M-Audio devices.

I have tried the low end M-Audio and High End M-Audio and Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 blows them away. Save yourself some money and headaches and go with Sound Blaster.

Mike
 
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum beats the hell out of M-Audio, IMHO. But, then again, that is my opinion. Sound Blaster were the inventors of computer audio and still do everything just right most of the time. And, you are guaranteed not to have driver issues with Windows XP or other OS's. You can't say that for M-Audio devices.

I have tried the low end M-Audio and High End M-Audio and Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 blows them away. Save yourself some money and headaches and go with Sound Blaster.

Mike
Click to expand...
What monitoring system did you use to evaluate the A-D & D-A converters in the M Audio cards and the Soundblaster cards?

What qualities were apparent in audio recorded and played back using the Soundblaster over the M Audio cards?

What 'driver issues' did you have with the M Audio cards?
 
nomer said:
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum beats the hell out of M-Audio, IMHO. But, then again, that is my opinion. Sound Blaster were the inventors of computer audio and still do everything just right most of the time. And, you are guaranteed not to have driver issues with Windows XP or other OS's. You can't say that for M-Audio devices.

I have tried the low end M-Audio and High End M-Audio and Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 blows them away. Save yourself some money and headaches and go with Sound Blaster.

Mike
Click to expand...

FWIW, Creative Labs were NOT the pioneers of computer audio, Turtle Beach was. Creative just managed an economy of scale that allowed them to sell the consumer cards more cheaply. And Turtle Beach still makes better cards in my opinion. However, I would never consider using either of them for recording.

IMHO Audigys suck, and their drivers are terrible. I know many people who have had nothing but misery with SB cards and their drivers. I will not allow one to be installed on any of my systems. I much orefer to go with Turtle Beach sound cards for gaming.
 
why are you getting a computer for just storing audio files? unless you already have this computer....

why not just get a massive firewire HD. or get a barebones computer and network it to your main one?
 
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