Need Sound Card Recommendation....

[Naja]

Hi everybody,

My onboard sound just isn't getting it. And I need a sound Card recommendation....

Looking to spend as little as possible, but wanting something noticable over onboard...

The issue only involves playing music into a stereo. The stereo is not the problem.

Thanx!

[Mr.Ferrari]

Well to get a decent upgrade over onboard youll need to spend a lil $$. Personally my choice would be the Audigy 2 zs, has been working for me great, and has all the latest 3d support youll need. Great card, and usually hovers in the lower 60s, sometimes even less. Other then that Xi-Fi is a great choice if your willing to push past the 100 dollar mark. btw both are made by creative.

[rjfvillarosa]

Is your on board sound working or not?, if it is just giving poor quality output to your stereo system then by all means go for a new sound card (there are plenty of cheap ones to choose from here http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/Category.asp?Category=36). If it is not working then that could be indicative that the motherboard is failling, I keep a cheap but reliable soundcard in stock for just that reason, you don't want to go fitting a good sound card to a bad motherboard just in case, if the motherboard throws a wobbly you are never quite sure what she will take with her.

[Naja]

Hi,

Thanx for the recommendation!

The onboard sound works--its just not very good being played through a stereo. I can take the same mp3s and play the on another system and it sounds perfect--so its not the files. I can play aged cassettes through this stereo and they sound Great! So, its either the connection between the pc and stereo or the onboard sound.....

[Panama Red]

Do you have a set of speakers you can attach to the pc directly instead of running the onboard thru the stereo amp? That may determine if it's the onboard or the connection. What type of cabling are you using to connect the pc and the stereo?

[ammo]

my sound blaster audigy 2 works great, has pretty good software, and is easy to use. I just don't like Creative's web site and update utility.

[Naja]

Hooking up another set of speakers would actually be a lot of hassle. They would have to be transported from another location.

The pc is currently hooked up to the stereo via a single plug into the back of the pc which then goes to 2 rca plugs into the back of the stereo.

I am wondering if the output from the pc/onboard is actually mono....? I can turn the bass all the way down and the treble all the way up on the stereo and it sound much more "Normal".

Any thoughts?

[Thewiggster]

Hi

Well i am a fan of creative soundcards myself....I have had 3 so far and had no problems at all....they are easy to use, have good software and give great quality sound...of corse the rite speakers help lol:P

If you are looking for a budget card and you don't do alot of gaming/Music/Video work then this would be an option for you...The Sound Blaster Live! 24bit

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=206&product=10315

If your looking for a little bit more then maybe the Sound Blaster Audigy 4 would be a good option

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=205&product=14103

But if you want the top of the range then this would be what you should get...reviews are great for this product btw...its the Sound Blaster X-FI XtremeMusic

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=208&product=14066


I personally have a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS which is a great card and the X-FI card is the newer version of my card basicly as it has some new technology in it

Hope this will help you!!