Vista - Need new soundcard - any thoughts?

Hi!

Got myself a Creative PCI express Xfi extreme audio a couple of months ago and have now come to the conclusion that it sucks... There´s betadrivers for most other cards BUT the one I got and I read som where that it´s a older card just being re-labled.. Great.

I listen to tons of music and play games, mostly counterstrike Source, i have Sennheiser HD555 phones and a Logitec Z-5500 5.1 soundsystem. My old computer had another Xfi card in it and the sound is totally different in quality with same settings (crystilzer etc).

So anyone know of another soundcard that you have experience of? in vista 64?

Thanks

Dave

What kind of budget do you have?

Pretyy much, yes. Card is really nothing more than a re-named SB Live 24 bit or Audigy LS/SE/DE/Value that gets to use the fancy X-Fi software, and up until Creative changed the INF in the driver files used a universal driver that would install on all of them.

about 200 USD should be the right amount, gotta wresttle it from my Girlfriend first. . . he he.

So if you don´t hear from me again I was killed . . .

Dave

Considered by a lot of people to be the best all round card for gaming and music,

Newegg.com - AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Sound Cards

If interested in one shop around because I have seen them going for less than $150.

Allrighty! thank you!

Dave

+1.

I use this with the Z-5500 with DTS Interactive (optical). Amazing sound with Vista x64.

I ordered the Prelude 7.1 past week and wating for it to arrive I also think it'll be one of the best all round card's especially for Vista.! I paid for it 160euro's and think this is just nice prize.

Ah good for you! Thats about what I will pay here to. Im really getting into that card...



Dave

Here's a little light reading for you about that card,

Auzentech Prelude Discussion Thread - Guru3D.com Forums

(if you can call 107 pages and almost 2700 posts light ).

Save you the trouble on one thing that almost everyone in that thread agrees on regarding that card; unless you are connecting it to a high quality amp/receiver, use the analogue connections over the digital as in all likelihood the card has a better DAC than any set of speakers.

Wow, that was a really nice Link, thanks Stormy, really apreciate it!

Dave