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Any other dedicated sound card audiophiles here?

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yaggaz
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2020/03/17 20:59:39 (permalink)
 
Leaving behind the Commodore Amiga, My first PC ever was a DX-2 66mhz and I bought Ultima VII and Ultima Underworld with it.  Unfortunately it didn't have any sound,  so I went to the store and purchased the Creative SoundBlaster Pro card and my life was changed forever.
 
I've been a fan of Soundblasters since 92, just like I've been buying nothing but evga cards since 2003.
 
I still have the SoundBlaster Z but my Creative Inspire 7.1 sound system is dying.  First the center speak went, then the front two, now it's running on life support in passable "Stereo" mode.   The audiophile in me misses how 7.1 gaming sounded in the year I first got it.
 
Does anybody own a modern SoundBlaster or did you switch to evga's NU Audo? Maybe another?  Also what would you recommend for a good 5.1/7.1 sound system nowadays?

||  CPU: Intel 10700k   ||  GPU:  evga 3080 XC3 Ultra Hybrid ||  MB: Gigabyte z490 UD AC  || RAM: 2 x 16GB 3000mhz DDR4 SDRAM  || Samsung EVO 970 Plus 2TB   ||    Dell S2417DG Monitor    ||  Soundblaster AE-7  ||  Phanteks p400a Case  ||   be Quiet! Dark Rock Slim CPU Cooler  ||  Corsair AX1600i PSU  ||  9 Fans total in system ||
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    Bobmitch
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    Re: Any other dedicated sound card audiophiles here? 2020/03/18 06:05:20 (permalink)
    Still using the Soundblaster Z.  Have really not found a reason to upgrade from it.  Still pumps out good audio.  Maybe new speakers?

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    jfw06013
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    Re: Any other dedicated sound card audiophiles here? 2020/03/18 10:18:24 (permalink)
    If you like your sound card then just buy new speakers.
    Even if you buy a new sound card your going to have to buy them anyway.
    Some examples:
    https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-computer-speakers
    https://www.amazon.com/7-1-surround-sound-computer-speakers/s?k=7.1+surround+sound+computer+speakers&page=2
     


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    yaggaz
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    Re: Any other dedicated sound card audiophiles here? 2020/03/18 19:48:21 (permalink)
     
    Holy wow!    That Klipsch 5.1 system is on sale from 999 to 421.89
     
    Wish I wasn't on "budget restrictions" ;) right now or I'd be all over that
     

    ||  CPU: Intel 10700k   ||  GPU:  evga 3080 XC3 Ultra Hybrid ||  MB: Gigabyte z490 UD AC  || RAM: 2 x 16GB 3000mhz DDR4 SDRAM  || Samsung EVO 970 Plus 2TB   ||    Dell S2417DG Monitor    ||  Soundblaster AE-7  ||  Phanteks p400a Case  ||   be Quiet! Dark Rock Slim CPU Cooler  ||  Corsair AX1600i PSU  ||  9 Fans total in system ||
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    Tweaked
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    Re: Any other dedicated sound card audiophiles here? 2020/03/25 10:26:13 (permalink)
    I recently added an EVGA NU Audio sound card, and overall I have been very impressed with the sound quality using my AKG Q701 Reference Monitor headphones. Not the hardest cans to drive at around 60 ohms, but hard enough. Plus they love power, and good power makes them shine.
    EVGA DG-77/ EVGA 750 G2/ Gigabyte B450/ AMD Ryzen 5 3600/ 16gb Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3600/ RTX-2080 XC/ Dell S2716DG / Windows 11 64
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    yaggaz
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    Re: Any other dedicated sound card audiophiles here? 2020/03/26 13:54:01 (permalink)
    Tweaked
    I recently added an EVGA NU Audio sound card, and overall I have been very impressed with the sound quality using my AKG Q701 Reference Monitor headphones. Not the hardest cans to drive at around 60 ohms, but hard enough. Plus they love power, and good power makes them shine.




    Oh that is one sweet pair of headphones.  Comfort is critical for me.   My difficulty is finding a "behind the neck" comfort pair.   I prefer a surround system but when married you often get told to "turn that down please" ;-) so a good pair of backup headphones would be great.

    ||  CPU: Intel 10700k   ||  GPU:  evga 3080 XC3 Ultra Hybrid ||  MB: Gigabyte z490 UD AC  || RAM: 2 x 16GB 3000mhz DDR4 SDRAM  || Samsung EVO 970 Plus 2TB   ||    Dell S2417DG Monitor    ||  Soundblaster AE-7  ||  Phanteks p400a Case  ||   be Quiet! Dark Rock Slim CPU Cooler  ||  Corsair AX1600i PSU  ||  9 Fans total in system ||
    #6
    Quiz
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    Re: Any other dedicated sound card audiophiles here? 2020/03/30 17:23:19 (permalink)
    I have a 2.1 audio setup for my PC consisting of a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD and 2 x JBL LSR305 + 1 x JBL LSR310S.

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    seth89
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    Re: Any other dedicated sound card audiophiles here? 2020/04/07 19:05:42 (permalink)
    Go optical out of your PC ( Most motherboards Ive owned have it built in) to an external setup OR USB out.
    Check out Schiit audio.
    https://www.schiit.com/products?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwLXelN3X6AIVF4iGCh3cTwF_EAAYASAAEgJB9_D_BwE
     
    Go to a DAC and then to a good pair of powered speakers, KRK are pretty great and well priced.
    https://www.amazon.com/KRK-Classic-Professional-Powered-Monitor/dp/B07XZZTZ3Q/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=krk&qid=1586311138&sr=8-3
     
    BUT for 5.1/7.1 the Creative stuff is pretty good still with the use of SABRE DACs. AE-7 has everything under the sun.
     
     
    For a cheap/solid sub POLK makes a pretty solid unit for 99 bucks. 
    OR if you go the KRK route, they make their own.
     
     
    post edited by seth89 - 2020/04/07 19:09:30


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