🚀 go-pugleaf

toofar@fromthesun.com (Aphelion) wrote in message news:<3e8dd729.3430522@news-west.giganews.com>...

> Not to offend anyone in this thread, since I have an SBLive (bought
> for soundfonts) I can at least comment from the standpoint of actually
> using the card.
> 
> The AD/DA converters on these cards are not close to same quality as
> even the $149 (usd) Audiophile 2496. The sound is somewhat colored,
> bass heavy with a little upper midrange honk. Not bad, but not
> accurate either. Don't know about the latest Audigy card, supposedly
> the converters are a better grade, haven't heard one to comment.

Having the almost limitless SF size capability makes a huge difference
in the quality of sounds for one thing. Don't have to resort to micro
looping to stay under the 32 meg ceiling as with the Live.

While I'm not prepared to pony up the dough to test it, but I wonder
how many who say things like this would be willing to bet say $1000
that 95% of the time they could identify the Audigy in a series of
say, 100 trials. Each time, listen to the same recording made on say 5
or 6 different pro cards, and consistently be able to say which is the
Audigy. If I ever win the lottery I would definitely make this
challenge and publish the results. Would be interesting to see how
many would have the confidence to put their money where their sound
card is. Also would be interesting to see how many would end up eating
their words.

 
> Someone mentioned they can be bought on cheap on EBay...
> Why do you think that is?

I can offer a hypothesis. They had trouble installing them or had
chronic problems after install, very likely due to Via chipset issues
that have nothing to do with the card, but nobody knew to tell them
this. They got frustrated and tossed the card and got what they could
for it.

> Still, I think the SBLive series are good little cards, very
> versatile, just don't try and compare them with a quality pro audio
> card, there IS a difference.

Would YOU be one of the ones willing to put a grand on the line over
the Audigy? (Of course, it's easy to say yes when it's not a reality)