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Re: Best cheap sound card?

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4/3/1999 12:33 AM

Re: Best cheap sound card?

Roger:

Checking out some of the links elsewhere in this forum, I found out that the Soundblaster is a "downgraded" version of the Ensoniq AudioPCI card, with newer (cheaper?) versions of the chips. Your Soundscape card tested out really nicely, as did the original Ens. AudioPCI card. The Soundblaster version was not as good (although a good step up from the AWE64 and other SB cards.) BTW there is a $20 rebate on those cards through 4/30/99(?) and you can download the rebate form from the SB site. It's definitely a good deal but I just wanted to warn people that you wouldn't be getting a really great 16-bitc card.

In any case, I decided to pass on the SB card and will be picking up the Event Gina card tommorrow!

Steve Ahola

4/3/1999 10:25 AM

The Ensoniq AudioPCI can be found at several online suppliers for about $25. I don't know about a rebate. One of the best places to check on prices and sources is

http://www.pricewatch.com

The original Ensoniq is the one to get. It comes with 2M and 4M wavesets and I've heard that an 8M is in the works.

If you can afford the Gina then by all means that's the way to go. Let us know how it sounds when you get it working.

Roger

4/3/1999 10:29 AM
Roger	ooopps I should have followed the thread back before replying, I didn't realize I had posted that before - sorry. At the Ensoniq site there are upgrade drivers to add capabilities to the AudioPCI. Roger

4/3/1999 2:20 PM

Roger:

Sorry about the mix-up; I thought you were referring to the Ensoniq card sold under the SoundBlaster name. The original card got some really nice ratings in the tests I've looked at on-line. The SB version switched to newer chips which aren't as good; hence the lower ratings. And it is the SB card that has the rebate.

If you can afford the Gina...

Well, I really can't afford it but I can put it on my revolving charge at the local music store and pay $5 a month for it for the rest of my life... [g]

Steve Ahola

4/3/1999 1:00 PM
Joe Fuzz	Steve: Have you run Event's diagnostic software on your computer? This'll tell you how well your system will perform with the Darla/Gina/Layla series. It's at: http://www.event1.com/download/reporter.html Oh, and do let us know how the installation goes and how it sounds!

4/3/1999 3:02 PM
Steve A.	Joe: Thanks for the link to Event's site! Too bad other companies don't offer diagnostic programs like that... it would save a lot of headaches trying to get the IRQ's etc all straightened out. Just wondering if it'd be better to use a lower IRQ or a higher one? (I have a choice between IRQ5 and IRQ10.) Steve Ahola

4/3/1999 4:23 PM

Just wondering if it'd be better to use a lower IRQ or a higher one? (I have a choice between IRQ5 and IRQ10.)

Well, if I remember correctly, IRQ5 is the traditional choice for ISA soundcards -- I think the old Soundblaster cards always looked for this one first. (I'm going by memory here and it's been 2+ years since I've had to fool around with IRQs and DMAs, thank goodness.) I think that IRQ5 was devoted to LPT2 and since almost no one has an LPT2, the sound card would take it. However, since this is a PCI card, the motherboard may choose IRQ10 for you -- Plug n Play.

It'll be interesting to see which one your computer picks. Hopefully, your motherboard and Windows will pick the same one [g].

Too bad other companies don't offer diagnostic programs like that...

Voyetra has a killer one called Sound Check. If you can lay your hands on it, it's the most comprehensive one I've seen. Might be at their site...haven't checked.

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