Need PC Sound Hardware Suggestions

[Blackadar]

Lovely ice storm we had here. Needless to say, I lost my power in a surge and it seems to have taken out my sound card. I can get sound from the motherboard but if I plug in the Soundblaster Live!, it doesn't work.

So, I figure I lost it.

I'm going to buy a Audigy card, but was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on good speakers and if there were any Audigy/Speaker bundles that were worth having. I have Yamaha MS-30s, which is a 2.1 combo. I'm not going to use speaker stands, so 4.1 is probably as much as I'll need. Any suggestions?

[Blackadar]

bump

[Draft Dodger]

I doubt I'd install another Creative Labs soundcard on my computer.

I like the front access ports on their better cards, but I've had too many problems with too many Creative products.

lots of people moving towards Turtle Beach Santa Cruz cards or some of the M-Audio cards.

[Blackadar]

Thanks DD

[Tasan]

I've never had a problem with creative, and I've been using them exclusively for all audio and some video solutions since 1994. Heck, I still have my original SB16 in a DOS machine I just put together to play some old games. The Audigy II is the best thing out there right now from what I understand(funds have been limited for soundcards lately). With good driver updates and a backing you know won't be bought out next week, I'd stick with creative.

[astralhaze]

I just bought the Audigy 2 and it is the shiznizzy. If you can afford it, it is well worth it. As DD said, the Santa Cruz is very good, but the Audigy is clearly the top in terms of performance,

[Easy Mac]

I've got some creative labs 4.1 speakers, they're currently hooked up in the headphone jack of my TV. They help out with movies, giving some bass. All in all they are serviceable until I can afford a home theater.

[astralhaze]

Not sure what your budget looks like, but I just picked these bad boys up and they are the bomb.

link (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/details&CRID=2&CONTENTID=5048&ad=nocng_xsell&countryid=19&languageid=1)

[Draft Dodger]

Originally posted by astralhaze
Not sure what your budget looks like, but I just picked these bad boys up and they are the bomb.

link (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/details&CRID=2&CONTENTID=5048&ad=nocng_xsell&countryid=19&languageid=1)

must be some money in being a Dell intern...

[astralhaze]

Originally posted by Draft Dodger
must be some money in being a Dell intern...

Just wait until Monday when I post my new system specs ;)

[Draft Dodger]

Originally posted by astralhaze
Just wait until Monday when I post my new system specs ;)

dude, your getting a...
nevermind. can't do it.

[astralhaze]

Originally posted by Draft Dodger
dude, your getting a...
nevermind. can't do it.

LOL. Thank you for the admirable restraint. And it is most decidedly NOT a Dell.

[AgPete]

I've always used Soundblaster and never had any problems. I agree with Tasan, I wouldn't switch to Santa Cruz just yet either. Remember what happened to the next great video card brand, Voodoo. ;)

As far as speakers, I still use an old Cambridge Soundworks system with a large woofer and side speakers that probably sell for $10 now if they're even on any shelves. I've never had any reason to upgrade.

OMG Astralhaze, that's one hell of a speaker system! I'd get evicted after the neighbors complaints if I used those. :D

[astralhaze]

Originally posted by AgPete
OMG Astralhaze, that's one hell of a speaker system! I'd get evicted after the neighbors complaints if I used those. :D

I have been :) The bass is unbelievably loud, even turned down to 3.

[Easy Mac]

Originally posted by AgPete
I've always used Soundblaster and never had any problems. I agree with Tasan, I wouldn't switch to Santa Cruz just yet either. Remember what happened to the next great video card brand, Voodoo. ;)

As far as speakers, I still use an old Cambridge Soundworks system with a large woofer and side speakers that probably sell for $10 now if they're even on any shelves. I've never had any reason to upgrade.

OMG Astralhaze, that's one hell of a speaker system! I'd get evicted after the neighbors complaints if I used those. :D

I've got those too man, the white ones? I still use those on my shitty computer.

[Blackadar]

Turned out to be my CD-RW instead of my sound card. Didn't get new speakers either.