OK so this is driving me crazy. I have read dozens of professional reviews of dozens of sound cards and still I really don't have a handle on which ones are the best and what each one does. I have the following questions:
1. Does any one sound card support DTS, HDMI and all the other wonderful enhancements available (too many to name) and really do real 5.1 or 7.1 (not virtual)
2. If you have a quality set of speakers what would be the minimum sound card to get? Asus Xonar? Asus essence STX?
3. Is the Asus Essence STX just good for 2.1 system and/or earphones?
4. I keep hearing the the Creative cards are just good for gamers and gaming is not my prime concern - I game very little. I want great music sound and movie sound
5. Are the Claro sound cards any good - they are about the same price as the essence?
6. Is an SPDIF connection the best connection for sound? Or is HDMI better?
OK the multitude of acronyms that get thrown around in the pro reviews are amazingly confusing and of course no one ever take the time to explain their reviews. Are most people reading these reviews sound tech experts ha, ha?
I plan on installing an ATI 6950 in my build. I have a 5.1 surround sound without DTS and other process goodies. It does not have an HDMI connection. What is the best sound card for the money for my system.
I'm not sure if I need more than a 5.1 system for a computer but I would like to understand 7.1 systems.
I am sure you guys have heard some of these questions before many times, but I have honestly tried to do my own homework and I need some help.
Should I get a new set of speakers with HDMI?
Thanks for any help you can give.
1. Does any one sound card support DTS, HDMI and all the other wonderful enhancements available (too many to name) and really do real 5.1 or 7.1 (not virtual)
2. If you have a quality set of speakers what would be the minimum sound card to get? Asus Xonar? Asus essence STX?
3. Is the Asus Essence STX just good for 2.1 system and/or earphones?
4. I keep hearing the the Creative cards are just good for gamers and gaming is not my prime concern - I game very little. I want great music sound and movie sound
5. Are the Claro sound cards any good - they are about the same price as the essence?
6. Is an SPDIF connection the best connection for sound? Or is HDMI better?
OK the multitude of acronyms that get thrown around in the pro reviews are amazingly confusing and of course no one ever take the time to explain their reviews. Are most people reading these reviews sound tech experts ha, ha?
I plan on installing an ATI 6950 in my build. I have a 5.1 surround sound without DTS and other process goodies. It does not have an HDMI connection. What is the best sound card for the money for my system.
I'm not sure if I need more than a 5.1 system for a computer but I would like to understand 7.1 systems.
I am sure you guys have heard some of these questions before many times, but I have honestly tried to do my own homework and I need some help.
Should I get a new set of speakers with HDMI?
Thanks for any help you can give.