Creative SB vs. M-audio???

[diy101]

Hey forum,
I'm ready to build a new system, but I'm having trouble narrowing down my soundcard choices. My system has these components:

NZXT TRI-001 Trinity Mid Tower Case w/400W Power

Intel BOXD945GTPLKR 945G P4/Pentium D/Celeron D 1066FSB LGA775 DDR2 M-ATX Motherboard w/Audio, Gigabit LAN, Serial

Intel Pentium D Processor 920 2.80GHz, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775,
2x2MB Cache, Dual

Western Digital WD2500YD 250GB SATA RAID 7200 RPM 16MB CACHE
With 16MB

Kingston KVR533D2N4K/2GB Kit DDR2-533 PC2-4200 Memory (2x1Gb

Sony DW-G120A-B2 Internal Double Layer DVD±RW (2 of them)

Sony All-In-One USB 2.0, Internal 3.5" Card Reader

Asus Extreme N6600 GeForce 6600 PCI Express ???MB DDR
Video Card w/TV-Out & DVI

Microsoft Windows XP Pro w/ SP2

I've been researching soundcards for good sound, but am also looking for good recording capabilities. I am a DJ looking to plug my analog mixer into the card. I am interested in the M-audio Revolution 5.1 card for the reason that it has a seperate headphone jack. I noticed the Revolution 7.1 has a headphone/ speaker jack (I'd like to be able to use the speakers without having to switch out the headphones). My first thought was to get a SB X-fi Xtreme music card, but that doesn't have seperate jacks. If I have to, I'll get a Y-splitter to use both speakers and headphones. Can anyone recommend a good card? I was hoping to spend under $130 for the card. Can anyone give me a good recommendation, and does anyone use a DJ mixer for recording?
Should I spend a little more for X-fi Platinum. Reviews for SB don't seem too favorable Thanks for any help.
p.s I found great prices at ZipZoomFly with free shipping, any cons on this vendor?

[diy101]

Almost forgot, I'm not a gamer, big ups to those that are!! I'm interested in the recording aspect and sound quality to make cds. Thanks.

[SonicVanguard]

If you're a DJ, look at the M-Audio Audiophile 192. It doesn't have a dedicated headphone output but does have hardware input monitoring via stereo 1/4" jacks which could be (and should be) routed to a headphone mixer.

It's a much better choice than either the Revolution card or any SB card for your line of work.

[diy101]

Thanx for the tip Dave. Looking at the M-AUDIO website, I came across the Delta 44, which has the breakout box so I can access the I/O from the front. Any pros or cons on this?
Thanx. Erik.

[SonicVanguard]

The Audiophile 192 is apart of the Delta family - everything from the Delta 1010 on down are first rate IMO.

I will warn you, they are professional cards and don't setup easy - they are not exactly plug-n-play. But with a little tweeking, they are perfect for anyone in the audio game.

[diy101]

Thanx Dave, I'm sure I'll be back to ask on installation and tweek tips when I choose my sound. I hate to throw a wrench in the mix, but I like the features of the SB X-fi Platinum. It has an I/O bay with audio inputs and seperate, volume controlled headphone jack. This feature really interests me, and I found it at a total cost of $137.00, after rebate. Only problem, I need to buy it before 6/30 (this Friday!!!) Can you talk me out of this one? Am I still better off with the M-audio? First time using a sound card, especially a pro model (old system was intergrated sound). Please help!!! Erik

[glc]

I have a friend that does production with an Audigy Platinum EX - it does do the job but he tells me that there are things about it that just don't work in a professional manner and he's had to devise workarounds. He said if he had to do it again, he'd be M-Audio.

[SonicVanguard]

Originally Posted by diy101 Thanx Dave, I'm sure I'll be back to ask on installation and tweek tips when I choose my sound. I hate to throw a wrench in the mix, but I like the features of the SB X-fi Platinum. It has an I/O bay with audio inputs and seperate, volume controlled headphone jack. This feature really interests me, and I found it at a total cost of $137.00, after rebate. Only problem, I need to buy it before 6/30 (this Friday!!!) Can you talk me out of this one? Am I still better off with the M-audio? First time using a sound card, especially a pro model (old system was intergrated sound). Please help!!! Erik

You're a pro - get a professional product. Nothing to talk you out of - you'll get what you pay for.

If you want to be 'professional' you do it right the first time (within your budget). Get a headphone mixer - you'll get more flexability that way. You can pick one up from sweetwater.com or zzounds.com for cheap that will do the job. The delta 44 give you 4 mono inputs and 4 mono outs (or 2 and 2 in stereo), for a DJ that's perfect. And it still have the breakout box. I just don't see where the F-Xi is even a consideration. But then, in my many years of working in various aspects of the sound reinforcment and music industrys, I never too shortcuts knowing full well they'd bite me later down the road.

[diy101]

Thanx for all the help guys. Looks like I'm going with the Delta 44. Thank God for these forums! I'm sure I'll be back for more Q & A's, lol!!! Peace, Erik