At 6:31 PM +0000 5/1/05, 1GDW wrote:
>I have a new computer with plenty of horsepower and want to install
>a quality sound card. I plan to patch the card to a homemade
>breakout box on the desktop. I have narrowed the choice to three
>cards and am looking for input in case I have overlooked something.
>I am recording with mini disk and critical playback is over good
>headphones, I do need to do some heavy EQ at times because of my
>recording situations. The computer is a multi-use machine with low
>grade speakers for the family use. I will probably not need SPDIF
>in for some time, if ever. I can do A/D outside the computer with
>my Edirol UA-1X USB audio interface.
>
>My first choice is the EMU 0404 at $99, it has the best SNR and has
>two breakouts for each line. The breakout is 1/4 inch plugs .
>http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?
>product=2220&category=754&maincategory=754
>
>The second choice is M-AUDIO Audiophile 2496 24-bit 96KHz PCI
>Interface Sound Card at $99, it uses RCA breakout and I wonder if
>that is the best choice?
>http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829121103
>
>The third choice is the M-AUDIO Revolution 5.1 6 (5.1) Channels 24-
>bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card at $75, it only has SPDIF out.
>http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829121116
>
>Gerald White Muscatine, IA
>
Hi Gerry-- The Revolution is probably not versatile enough for you.
The EMU cards get praise for sound quality but I'd check into
software compatibility. The 2496 is popular because of it
price/features but I bought 3 2496's for school last Fall and one
went flakey this week.
What software, or are you looking for a package with a waveform
editor too? Audio cards use audio drivers, audio drivers work with
applications and all three must work together well for your audio
application to be stable. Maybe there's a good free PC
waveform/editing application people can recommend. Have you
considered a usb (or firewire) interface with a quality headphone
amp/jack? Might be cheaper than spending another $100 on a decent
headphone amp especially if it comes with decent software. Its not
likely any card/app package or even pro software will meet "heavy" eq
needs. Elemental Audio's plug, Equim, runs on with most PC plug
types, but check plug type compatibility on their website. Rob D.
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