OT: Building a new box

[Will]

Imperator Fyron said:
Anyways, the point was that you can get better quality sound for less money than buying a Creative card. Or you could get much better quality for about the same money. If you are happy with your integrated chipset, then by all means, don't throw money away on separate cards.

I was actually refering to the earlier post saying spend $30 and 'not subject yourself to onboard sound'. There do exist systemboards that have integrated audio chipsets that are just as good as PCI card audio. I know, for example, that Intel's systemboards have audio chipsets that sample at 192kHz/32-bit. Wikipedia page for Envy24 says it is up to 192kHz/24-bit. I know there exist soundcards that are even better than that, but that was your example. My point is, it is not a given that you need to get a seperate soundcard anymore, and more than likely, you will get better sound quality by getting better speakers. As a comparison, there's no point in getting dual SLI cards if your monitor is an old CRT with max resolution of 800x600. Or, if you drive a Ford Pinto, there's no point in putting 91 octane in it insead of 87. And, if you have cheap bundled computer speakers, there's no point in getting better audio chipsets, it's gonna be crappy either way.

--edit: I should also note I'm not against soundcards. My current main system has a 5.1 surround card made by Maya (not sure if they're still in business). It's hooked up with a "high-end" set of computer speakers, 90W 5.1 setup from altec lansing. I use the soundcard because I have a board that is 4 years old and has only AC97 codec w/ 3x 1/8" jacks (line out, line in, mic), stereo sound. I'm most likely building a new system in late spring/early summer, and it's not getting a sound card until I get a proper speaker setup for it, and even then, I'm not getting a sound card unless I determine that the onboard isn't adequate. Since I'm going for very high-end boards, it's likely the sound will be fine compared to seperate cards.

[Fyron]

I don't think there is any point to the extra gradations of 32 bit over 24 bit for sound... E-mu external audio devices don't bother going 32-bit, and they are very highly regarded. Even Creative sticks with 24 bits for their audigy xi-fi stuff. 32-bit appears to be snake oil.

You will get better sound quality with better speakers (esp. by going with real speakers and not PC speakers). You will get better sound quality with better chipsets. You will get better quality with both. Speakers certainly make more of a difference, but that doesn't mean a better sound card will be pointless.

[Possum]

Fyron, I take vigorous exception to your comments slamming Creative.

As far as speakers, the output from my Audigy2 goes into my JVC stereo amplifier, and thence to a pair of 25-year old studio monitors with 15" woofers. I grant you that speaker technology has made huge advances since my speakers were new, but the old ways do still work

Oh, and a (hopefully) amusing anecdote about these speakers. One time back about 10 years I noticed the sound quality on the left speaker had fallen off quite a bit. Checking wires revealed nothing to blame it on. Finally I snapped the cover off, looked inside carefully, and found that a mouse had built himself/herself a nest inside. Was this rodent DEAF? Who knows...

[Fyron]

Creative makes mid-range quality equipment that they bill as top of the line. What can I say?