Audigy2 (what else?)

Should have done my homework before laying down plastic for the thing. I'd say it was an impulse buy, but not at that price it isn't!

I'm running a BX chipset Asus P2B-LS board with all-SCSI drives (Plextor CD, etc). First thing that catches my eye upon opening the box is a yellow sheet-- WINDOWS 98SE USERS!! Apparently there are problems with WDM drivers. Trouble is, replacing them with the VXD drivers as they suggest makes the thing not work. I prefer to use 98SE as it seems to be the most stable (along with the "seasoned" BX board) for doing audio mastering. I use Wavelab 4.0 for my mastering as it works well. Latency is better under 98SE, too, as opposed to XP. Also, there's something in there about a high-pitched whine and games locking (yes, it did it in one of my flight sims). Says to get a BIOS update. I've got the latest for that board. What's up with THAT?

Anyway, I can set it so things work OK in WL and so forth, but any game seems to freeze everything solid. I've had 98SE installed on that drive for 2 years now, so it must be time to format and reinstall another o/s. I usually have another IDE drive set up for gaming in that same machine, but had to remove it (it runs, dare I say it?, ME). Looks like I may have to use XP to get everything working properly, but I see from the posts that even XP has its share of problems with this card. I still have a few days to get this card back to the store for a refund and replacement. I may just get another SB Live 5.1 (gave mine to my kid). I had hoped to be able to use this card to work with 24 bit/ 96kHz audio, but that's looking less possible. I had considered one of the Echo or M-Audio cards for professional results, but still want to be able to game some.

I may give a different O/S a try before sending it back, because when it works, it sounds very smooth with the new speakers I got (Monsoon MH-505s). I don't need LOUD, as in Logitech or Klipsch, as I'm already deaf, thank you. I like the clarity, and besides that, these flat panels remind me of the old Magneplanar MG-1's I owned with my first "real" stereo. I'd bet the Monsoons would sound as good with my old SBL.

Comments appreciated--