Sound card for dictation/surround gaming

TarsonisX

Reputable
Mar 18, 2014
9
0
4,510
I need some advice. I have never owned a dedicated sound solution for a PC. I am rebuilding my system after an accident. I desire a sound card suitable for gaming surround sound. However, I also work as a freelance writer, and I have fine motor issues that make dictation more efficient than typing. Previously I've used USB headsets such as a Logitech G35 and they've served me well, but audio quality is key in dictation, and if there's even a slight chance I can improve the response/reduce mic noise for Dragon and other programs with a standard sryle mic routed through a sound card I want to.

To fulfill both my needs I've been looking at a Sound Blaster Zxr...any thoughts? Opinions about other options at a comparable price point?
 
Solution
You're better off using HDMI for audio to an a/v receiver rather than having a middleman sound card and an analog connection. Have the receiver's DAC do the work outside of a computer, and the nice thing about HDMI is that it supports 8-channel 192kHz/24-bit resolution audio. As for the dictation, it's only as good as the software. If you want a good microphone solution, try for a nice USB microphone like something from Blue. I've never heard anything but good things about them. Here's one that's really highly rated: http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Snowball-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B006DIA77E

Rocket_Man

Reputable
Aug 10, 2015
9
0
4,520
You're better off using HDMI for audio to an a/v receiver rather than having a middleman sound card and an analog connection. Have the receiver's DAC do the work outside of a computer, and the nice thing about HDMI is that it supports 8-channel 192kHz/24-bit resolution audio. As for the dictation, it's only as good as the software. If you want a good microphone solution, try for a nice USB microphone like something from Blue. I've never heard anything but good things about them. Here's one that's really highly rated: http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Snowball-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B006DIA77E
 
Solution