M-Audio Audiophile 2496 PCI Digital Audio Card (Standard) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've owned a few of these and currently have one in my DAW. These cards are great entry level sound cards for production work. They're simple with only two channels in and out and midi-in and midi-out. It also support SPDIF however I never use it.

VSTI round trip times on a well tuned system can be as low as 12ms which is pretty good for a card at this price level. One thing I've noticed is that this card performs best when doing production work at 96kHz @ 24bit resolution. Anything more or less than this tends to yield poorer results.

Audio quality is great, though my only complaint is that this card uses RCA connectors rather than balanced 1/4" or XLR. This is a shame since the better Delta 1010 is based on the same processor.

Lastly note that if you're going taking an unbalanced audio signal in or out of this card from another source, there is a good possibility of having an audible `hum' from ground loop problems. This can be fixed quiet easily with a group loop isolator.

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Product Description:
The M-Audio Audiophile 2496 PCI Digital Audio Card gives you 2 analog ins and 2 outs on RCA jacks plus S/PPIF for total of 4 ins and 4 outs of high-quality I/O. Channels support 24-bit data width and any sampling rate from 8kHz to 96kHz. Compatible with all major programs running on PCs and Macs. Coaxial outputs are Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound capable, making the Audiophile perfect for digital recording, analog or digital transfers, mixing and mastering, as well as DVD and home theater applications. Connect a line-level signal from your instrument, mixer, or preamp; or plug the record outputs of your stereo receiver into the analog RCA jacks located on the PCI card. Record digital audio signals from your DAT, MiniDisc, CD, or external A/D converter via the coaxial S/PDIF input located on the break-out cable. The Audiophile 2496 comes with Ableton Lite 4 Music production software so you can start creating right out of the box!

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Creative Labs SB1090 USB Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Audio System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Under 'Creative audio control panel,' be certain that 'high speed' (2.0) is checked, and not 'full speed' (1.1). This may or may not solve lag and other commonly cited audio issues. That said,

I do not like this sound card. In fact, it's not really a sound card at all. More truthfully, it is a (large) software suite connected to a big volume knob. As far as I can tell, and from what I have read and seen in task manager), all of the real work is done with your computer. Well, this shouldn't be too much of a problem on modern machines, right? I mean, aren't the days of needing external chips to alleviate workload on the CPU long gone and irrelevant?

Maybe. But the fact is that I feel that I could have attained the same, cheap audio tricks via any number of winamp plug-ins, equalizers, et al. What I wanted was a superior external DAC than the noise coming from my onboard RealTek 'high definition' audio. The truth is that I can tell no difference between the two outputs until I turn on the effects of the x-fi, which are really annoying to a music purist. They produce listener fatigue and unwelcome distortion (music was not meant to be heard in simulated surround, and 'crystalizer' can get downright 'screechy').
The simulated surround or EAX is fine for watching movies and playing games, though. But if you are primarily a music buff and have decent speakers, I advise looking elsewhere.

There is good news, though. While Creative has a history of not supporting older cards on a newer OS, there is a functioning beta driver for Windows 7 already at their site. You won't be experiencing what thousands of people did when trying to use their XP cards on Vista, etc. However, the overall performance of the card is sluggish both on my XP install and my Win 7 beta. Adjustments are cumbersome and opening the severe bloatware of sound options is unacceptably slow even on fairly well-equipped hardware. I'd consider this a fluke of my install, but on two separate disks, and with two different OSes (XP and 7)? No. It's just bloated.

I got this new for virtually nothing, but I'd still not buy it again because I can honestly achieve the same effects by using the EQ of the iTunes, Mediamonkey, etc. Again, this is nothing but a ton of sound software that happens to have a physical body. You can do better for not much more money. However, as a solution for a broken onboard chip / output jack, this is an economical solution. But even then I'd almost recommend one of those USB thumb drive-type cards as they won't take up unnecessary desktop space or clutter your install with a ton of software that, btw, takes 20 minutes to install).

If the x-fi surround were anything but a fancy software suite, I'd rate it higher. Sorry. Just trying to save someone the grief if they are looking for a music solution. That's what these reviews are for.

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Product Description:
Adding the USB Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 sound card is the easiest way to make your music andmovies sound their best. X-Fi Technology restores details and vibrance your music and movies lostduring compression, making them richer and fuller, and expands stereo into surround sound withheadphones or speakers. Plus it includes PowerDVD software via free download for the ultimate PCmovie entertainment experience.

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Creative Labs Sound Blaster Wireless Audio Transmitter and Receiver Bundle Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Having used a myriad of devices from the squeezboox boom and the squeezebox duet system -- as well as a few other devices that are not worth mentioning, I'll say that this is by far the easiest to use, install and operate.

Let me walk you through my set-up ... which took about 10 minutes ...

1. Unpacked the box and did away with all the plastic detritus.
2. Installed and registered the software on my laptop.
3. Plugged in the transmitter to a USB port in the back.
4. Rebooted my laptop, turned on iTunes and played a U2 album.
5. Plugged in the receiver (using a nicer set of cables) to my Sony Stereo Receiver on Aux 3. Was tempted to go optical.
6. Hit the find button on the underside of the little device and walked away.
7. 15 seconds later -- music played.
8. Stuck the batteries in the remote and turned it up.

That simple and absolutely no stumbling blocks to speak of.

Sound Quality? -- Better than I expected for this, but I wasn't looking for Mark Levinson to come out of my office and sit down on the couch with a glass of wine. The sound quality is more than adequate for casual home listening and the better your system is, the better the device will sound to you.

Responsiveness? -- I'm constantly unplugging the transmitter from my laptop and taking off somewhere, only to come back replug it back in, and find it working almost instantly and flawlessly. Windows and iTunes are not always asking questions or looking for drivers. It seems that whatever iTunes needed to do to make this thing be compatible with itself, was worked out ahead of time by Creative Labs and Apple. That's a first.

The Software -- is quite good and quite simple. You can customize it to play in zones, if that's your thing or adjust the quality of the sound and other minor changes. The software, from what I saw, doesn't appear to be a resource hog, nor has it been the culprit of crashes or bluescreens. If you don't use iTunes , you don't like to, or don't want to, this may be the only *real* problem one could face. The good thing is that it doesn't require you to depend on it as a player like other companies, or other devices do.

I can find no fault with this and I'm happy with the success of this device. I use it everyday now and I'm thoroughly pleased.

Well done ... a great idea to give as a gift for young or old as the ease of use with this is simple and the learning curve low. How about that for innovation?

...

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Product Description:
This bundle includes the Creative Labs Sound Blaster wireless audio transmitter and receiver giving you everything you need to set up a premium wireless sound system.The Creative Labs Sound Blaster for iTunes upgrades your PC or Mac to a premium wireless sound system. Simply plug into any USB port, connect an optional Creative Wireless Receiver to your powered speakers or home stereo system, and play your iTunes or other digital music wirelessly - no cables or networking required. You can add Sound Blaster Wireless Audio ready speakers with built-in wireless receiver and in the future wireless headphones to play music wirelessly in multiple rooms. Plus, Sound Blaster for iTunes features Creative-s award-winning X-Fi audio enhancement technology that improves the quality of iTunes media, MP3s and movies. Package Contents: Sound Blaster for iTunes USB Audio Transmitter, Audio cable (1/8" to stereo RCA), Installation CD, Quick Start Leaflet.The Creative Wireless Receiver plays the songs from your Creative wireless audio products across the room or around the house. The wireless system is designed for music, so there are no delays, no dropouts and no home network needed. Setup is a breeze, just plug the Creative Wireless Receiver into any powered speakers or your home theater receiver, the wireless connection is automatic. The wireless remote control lets you navigate through the music on your Notebook, PC or iPod;playing, pausing and skiping from wherever you are. And it's expandable so you can add as many Creative Wireless Receivers as you like within the 100' range.

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Diamond XtremeSound 7.1/24 bit Sound Card ( XS71 ) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I left Creative's sound blaster USB because they did not support Vista; I searched Amazon and found The Diamond by searching for "Vista sound Cards", I ordered it overnight, it arrived, but the software did not work with Vista although the generic windows driver does.

I called Diamond, because the card inside said "Do not return to vendor call us first."I did and was told, impatiently, that the box did not say Vista and that I should return it to Amazon.

So I am going to keep it, it does work, where the Creative did not.I received about half of what I thought I had bought.

Amazon showed this under a Vista search, Diamond was rude.The hassel of returning it and starting over, is too much.

So Cavet Emptor - be careful, make sure it is what you want, if it does not say Vista do not buy it no matter what the website claims.

Diamond has performed well in the past.

And, yes, I should have been more careful, I was too easily misled, by my pressing need for sound, and my desire to get on with it.

Ken

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Product Description:
1.Diamond Xtreme Sound allows the user to experience high level, theater quality sound while watching videos, listening to music, and playing games all in true 7.1 channel surround sound. This is an essential upgrade for anyone interested in increasing their computer audio experience while freeing up valuable computer system resources.2.Features - 24bit/96KHz Playback.8 Channel Audio Output.Karaoke Support.10 Band Equalizer with Presets.Easy Connection to Home Audio Equipment.Special Effects Including Concert Hall and More.Total DVD Theater Surround Sound Experience.

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Creative Labs Sound Blaster Wireless Audio Transmitter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Works great, but documentation somewhat lacking.Didn't know that you have to remember to insert USB device BEFORE starting itunes.AND that you can't operate both the wireless connection and the connected computer speakers at the same time.

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Product Description:
The Creative Labs Sound Blaster for iTunes upgrades your PC or Mac to a premium wireless sound system. Simply plug into any USB port, connect an optional Creative Wireless Receiver to your powered speakers or home stereo system, and play your iTunes or other digital music wirelessly - no cables or networking required. You can add Sound Blaster Wireless Audio ready speakers with built-in wireless receiver and in the future wireless headphones to play music wirelessly in multiple rooms. Plus, Sound Blaster for iTunes features Creative-s award-winning X-Fi audio enhancement technology that improves the quality of iTunes media, MP3s and movies. Package Contents: Sound Blaster for iTunes USB Audio Transmitter, Audio cable (1/8" to stereo RCA), Installation CD, Quick Start Leaflet.

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