Audigy 2 ZS Platinum | xltronic messageboard
 
You are not logged in!

F.A.Q
Log in

Register
  
 
  
 
(nobody)
...and 450 guests

Last 5 registered
Oplandisks
nothingstar
N_loop
yipe
foxtrotromeo

Browse members...
  
 
Members 8025
Messages 2614087
Today 0
Topics 127542
  
 
Messageboard index
Audigy 2 ZS Platinum
 

offline Zephyr Twin from ΔΔΔ on 2003-11-24 13:18 [#00963708]
Points: 16982 Status: Regular | Show recordbag



Anyone have one of these or read reviews about them? I'm
talking about the one that comes with the extra board that
goes into a 5inch bay on the front of your computer. It has
all kinds of input: optical, RCA L/R, MIDI, Phono, just the
works. I am considering buying one because it would make my
headphone situation a lot easier (has a 1/4" headphone in
right on the front, so I wouldnt need to fool around on the
back of my comp and wouldnt need the goofy 1/4" to 1/8"
adapter.), but mainly because it seems like recording
through this soundcard would yield much higher quality
mixes... As it is now, recording through the IN on the back
of my old Soundblaster Live SUCKS. The sound is terrible and
it's only mono. Thanks.


 

offline nlogax from oh, you must be the brains (Norway) on 2003-11-24 13:21 [#00963716]
Points: 4653 Status: Regular



creative is good for home use I think, but if you ask a
professional, you'll probably be laughed at.

I have extigy myself, and I regret ever getting that.
Terratec next, or something


 

offline Zephyr Twin from ΔΔΔ on 2003-11-24 13:23 [#00963717]
Points: 16982 Status: Regular | Show recordbag



hehehe, yeah they would laugh no doubt, but hopefully I
music would put a stop to that =).

Who makes extigy? Why do you regret it? Is Terratec by the
same maker, or a manufacturer in itself.

Please bear with me ;)


 

offline Zephyr Twin from ΔΔΔ on 2003-11-24 13:24 [#00963720]
Points: 16982 Status: Regular | Followup to Zephyr Twin: #00963717 | Show recordbag



hopefully my* music...

(not to say I am excellent at making electronic music, but
just trying to be optimistic! =D)


 

offline nlogax from oh, you must be the brains (Norway) on 2003-11-24 13:29 [#00963728]
Points: 4653 Status: Regular | Followup to Zephyr Twin: #00963717



extigy is by creative. basically the same as audigy only
it's an external soundcard.

terratec is whole nother company, critically acclaimed for
their soundcards, which I believe many pro's use. It costs
accordingly though :)


 

offline Zephyr Twin from ΔΔΔ on 2003-11-24 13:31 [#00963730]
Points: 16982 Status: Regular | Show recordbag



So... is the extigy the same as audigy 2 or 1? Is
Audigy 2 a pretty good step up from Audigy 1 or are the
essentially the same? (s'ok if you're unsure).. As for these
Terratecs... what kind of price are we talking? The Audigy 2
ZS platinum will run me about 175-200.


 

offline nlogax from oh, you must be the brains (Norway) on 2003-11-24 13:36 [#00963739]
Points: 4653 Status: Regular | Followup to Zephyr Twin: #00963730



I think extigy is basically the same as audigy 1, at least
it came out when audigy 1 was introduced. I guess the step
from 1 to 2 is worth it, but I honestly don't know.

The terratec cards run from everything between 200 to
perhaps thousands I believe.


 

offline Zephyr Twin from ΔΔΔ on 2003-11-24 13:37 [#00963741]
Points: 16982 Status: Regular | Show recordbag



hmm... thousands would be a bit much =P

If I can get one for about the same price as the audigy 2
though I may do that.. I'll have to look into them more.
Thanks nlogax :)


 

offline nlogax from oh, you must be the brains (Norway) on 2003-11-24 13:40 [#00963748]
Points: 4653 Status: Regular | Followup to Zephyr Twin: #00963741



anytime :)


 

offline Zephyr Twin from ΔΔΔ on 2003-12-18 23:12 [#00997687]
Points: 16982 Status: Regular | Show recordbag



*bump*

I'll be bidding on an Audigy 2 zs platinum soon, was just
looking for any last minute advice anyone has.. Any
testimonials for this product?


 

offline Zephyr Twin from ΔΔΔ on 2003-12-18 23:17 [#00997690]
Points: 16982 Status: Regular | Show recordbag



Also I'm going to want a 5.1 Speaker System, one that sounds
good but priced for the budget minded. :)


 

offline Zephyr Twin from ΔΔΔ on 2003-12-18 23:18 [#00997692]
Points: 16982 Status: Regular | Followup to Zephyr Twin: #00997690 | Show recordbag



whoops, can anyone recommend something like this? :D


 

offline nlogax from oh, you must be the brains (Norway) on 2003-12-19 01:31 [#00997739]
Points: 4653 Status: Regular | Followup to Zephyr Twin: #00997692



your avatar is too ugly.


 

offline Phobiazero from the next Xltronic (Sweden) on 2003-12-19 06:43 [#00997894]
Points: 10507 Status: Webmaster | Show recordbag



i was thinking of getting an audigy 2 in my sb75g2, instead
of the stock builtin realtek audio.

anyone know if that would enhance sound quality a lot? or
just little. reading the specs are pointless - someone
having experince with both?


 

offline fleetmouse from Horny for Truth on 2003-12-19 06:53 [#00997899]
Points: 18042 Status: Lurker



Jesus, Creative's cards are shit - they have no fidelity,
all kinds of built in garbage that modifies and fucks up
your sound - they're made for yokels.

Get the Terratec or an M-audio 24/96 card - I believe they
both have the same Delta chipset. Hoontech cards are also
supposed to be good. The low end cards from these
manufacturers are around 200 buxx0rz or less, with the
reason they're cheaper not being lower quality but fewer
analog inputs and like that - I mean some of the M-audio
cards have lots and lots of inputs so you can do multitrack
recording simultaneously.


 

offline nlogax from oh, you must be the brains (Norway) on 2003-12-19 07:02 [#00997908]
Points: 4653 Status: Regular | Followup to fleetmouse: #00997899



yeah, I'm going for Terratec next time.


 

offline Sepix from Major City (Austria) on 2003-12-19 07:11 [#00997917]
Points: 3110 Status: Lurker | Followup to Phobiazero: #00997894



i`ve a audigy 2 in my new box.

allways had onboard sound before.

its a bit strange but i would say there is no big difference
(though my speakers are fucked so everything sounds a bit
lame ;)


 

offline mc_303_beatz from Glasgow, Scotland on 2003-12-19 07:29 [#00997943]
Points: 3386 Status: Regular



I have a soundblaster platinum. its alright but it fucks up
with RAM overload.

Can`t afford any other type right now, so it`s okay for the
time being.


 

offline Zephyr Twin from ΔΔΔ on 2003-12-19 07:37 [#00997963]
Points: 16982 Status: Regular | Followup to nlogax: #00997739 | Show recordbag



So is yours!

j/k =D


 

offline Zephyr Twin from ΔΔΔ on 2003-12-19 07:41 [#00997972]
Points: 16982 Status: Regular | Followup to fleetmouse: #00997899 | Show recordbag



Can you recommend any specific cards from these
manufacturers? I'm looking at an M Audio Audiophile 2496
right now, and it doesn't have as many inputs as I would
prefer to have.


 

offline Phobiazero from the next Xltronic (Sweden) on 2003-12-19 07:48 [#00997986]
Points: 10507 Status: Webmaster | Show recordbag



Terretec Aureon 5.1 Sky seems to be like a sweet card...


 

offline evolume from seattle (United States) on 2003-12-19 12:51 [#00998376]
Points: 10965 Status: Regular



how much is it?

i'm getting a quattro from m-audio.
it has quarter inch in's ,midi in/out, rca in out, and runs
on USB.

it also acts as a 24bit 94k external sound card.

they run about $269.

m-audio is much better than creative i think.


 

offline ecnadniarb on 2003-12-19 12:55 [#00998378]
Points: 24805 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



USB cards are no where near as good you know...if you are
planning on using it on a desktop machine you are better
going for a card. Not only is the sound quality not as good
on USB cards the CPU usage and latency goes up. They aren't
bad if you are just using them for playing audio but if you
are a music maker I would steer clear of them.


 

offline evolume from seattle (United States) on 2003-12-19 14:34 [#00998548]
Points: 10965 Status: Regular | Followup to ecnadniarb: #00998378



the quattro has zero latency. at least thats their claim.
MOstly i'm going for the usb card because it's like a
tripple whammy for me for a sweet price (i have a hook up to
get it for less than 50% of retail)

1. i now have a 16 bit sound blaster card. the quattro will
be a huge improvement to that.
2. i need a midi interface as i have recently aquired my 1st
keyboard.
3. i need 1/4" ins/outs as well as RCA's
4. i will be upgrading to a Laptop within the next year.

so the Quattro deffinately is the best thing for me for the
price.


 

offline evolume from seattle (United States) on 2003-12-19 14:42 [#00998562]
Points: 10965 Status: Regular | Followup to evolume: #00998548



actually, scratch that, no RCA's but its got 4 1/4" ins and
4 1/4" outs, balanced.


 

offline ecnadniarb on 2003-12-19 14:48 [#00998574]
Points: 24805 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



Sounds decent. I might check it out myself :P


 

offline Phobiazero from the next Xltronic (Sweden) on 2003-12-19 14:50 [#00998577]
Points: 10507 Status: Webmaster | Followup to Phobiazero: #00997986 | Show recordbag



Terratec Aureon 5.1 Sky is only $90 or something.


 

offline Phobiazero from the next Xltronic (Sweden) on 2003-12-19 14:51 [#00998578]
Points: 10507 Status: Webmaster | Followup to Phobiazero: #00998577 | Show recordbag



but is nothing for the music maker i guess.


 

offline X-tomatic from ze war room on 2003-12-19 15:06 [#00998590]
Points: 2901 Status: Lurker | Followup to fleetmouse: #00997899



It's the music that comes first y'know, "crappy"
soundquality or not (it might be that you're just overly
critical audiophiles) :D


 

offline Hetzel from Montreal (Canada) on 2003-12-19 15:41 [#00998622]
Points: 551 Status: Regular



I have the Audigy 2 ZS Platinum and it sounds OK...

If I had the choice I'll go for a PRO MODEL.


 

offline fleetmouse from Horny for Truth on 2003-12-19 15:54 [#00998637]
Points: 18042 Status: Lurker | Followup to Zephyr Twin: #00997972



For another 99 bucks you can get an M-audio Delta 44 with 4
in, 4 out. There's also the 66 and 88, with - you guessed it
- 6 in out and 8 in out.

I was having trouble with my Audiophile 24/96 at one point
but it turned out to be a bad Cubase crack. But it made me
do some research and apparently some motherboards don't get
along with them. Anyhoo I got it working great with only 5ms
latency - any less and I get the occasional crackle. It
sounds sweeeeeeeet.

Steinberg has a great list of asio compatible
soundcards and their specs... the MOTU products are supposed
to be awesome but are very very expensive. The 828mkII looks
pretty awesome, and only 800 buxx0rz!


 

offline fleetmouse from Horny for Truth on 2003-12-19 16:01 [#00998644]
Points: 18042 Status: Lurker | Followup to X-tomatic: #00998590



Oh I'm hardly an audiophile - I just appreciate good
sounding gear and feel people should be informed that they
can get it with a little bit of research and a little bit
more money than they'd pay for the consumer grade crap
(sometimes the consumer crap is almost the same price
anyway). Isn't that the way with everything?


 

offline Zephyr Twin from ΔΔΔ on 2003-12-19 18:14 [#00998767]
Points: 16982 Status: Regular | Show recordbag



Hmm... Thanks for the input everyone.. At this point, I
don't know if I can really afford paying more than like
180-200 bucks for my soundcard rig.. I would prefer to go
the internal route because external cards do have the
latency issue, and even though I'll be getting a laptop
soon, it wouldn't really be a gig capable machine even
with an expernsive external soundcard. Has anyone
with the audigy 2 zs plat. recorded any music through it? If
it turns out that is all I can afford, would it be capable
at all? I would like to start recording as soon as possible
because I won't have as much time next semester to record.
Thanks.


 

offline Zephyr Twin from ΔΔΔ on 2003-12-19 19:01 [#00998808]
Points: 16982 Status: Regular | Show recordbag



anyone care to field that? :)


 

offline X-tomatic from ze war room on 2003-12-19 19:03 [#00998810]
Points: 2901 Status: Lurker | Followup to fleetmouse: #00998644



ow, I'm sorry, I meant that as a general statement, not
really a follow-up to your post. :P
But reading all this, I guess I'm just gonna have to be
content with creative soundcards, as I don't have enough of
the green to cough up, unless we're talking slime as I've
got a cold atm.
I'm not too informed on the soundquality subject so inform
me on this, but this audigy 2 zs blablala has got a THX
label, so doesn't that mean it's quite a good card? For in
order to get such a rating it has to meet a certain standard
of sound quality.


 

offline mc_303_beatz from Glasgow, Scotland on 2003-12-19 19:04 [#00998811]
Points: 3386 Status: Regular



there are ways round latency.


 

offline fleetmouse from Horny for Truth on 2003-12-20 06:35 [#00999190]
Points: 18042 Status: Lurker | Followup to X-tomatic: #00998810



Well ya know, THX certification (the right to use that logo)
probably costs a bundle, so Creative and the other companies
that get it probably only put it on their most prestigious
high-margin products. So yeah, it probably sounds not too
shabby, I figure.


 

offline Sempoo from Barlinek (Pluto) on 2003-12-20 07:12 [#00999223]
Points: 621 Status: Regular



SB products, Live or Audigy, are like 'your first car', no
recommendation for them since they are 'multimedia shit'.
Poor soundQ, latency, lowQ electro circuits...


 


Messageboard index