What Audigy?

IvanV · Aug 23, 2005, 10:05 AM

I'm interested in getting a soundcard from the Audigy series to replace my ALC655 and I'm counting on you to help me choose the right model. Here's what I want/need:
Most of all, I want the card for the gaming performance increase. Also, I want to get something relatively cheep (this rules out Audigy 4). I don't need fancy inputs and outputs, as I rarely record anything, and I don't use my PC for listening to music. I don't have surround speakers as I don't have enough room to install them properly, so I'm down to stereo, either small desktop speakers or headphones.
So, what flavour of Audigy or Audigy 2 would you recommend?

daedal · Aug 23, 2005, 10:33 AM

Audigy 2 value. Same card as Audigy 2 but without firewire. (or so I've read.. TLDR)

**dj_stick** · Aug 23, 2005, 10:24 PM

daedal is pretty much right there

also the audigy es is another possible option that may be cheaper

IvanV · Aug 24, 2005, 03:50 AM

I know Audigy is cheaper, I can get an Audigy LS, Audigy ES or Audigy Player (have no idea what LS, ES, and player mean, if someone could explain it to me I'd appreciate that) for 30 euros, while Audigy 2 Value would cost me about 45. 45 euros is not too high, but I'm not willing to pay an extra 50% if I won't be able to tell the difference. So, what is the difference between these cards when it comes to gaming performance? Also is there a big difference in audio in quality, as I'm thinking about turning some old records into CDs. This is not so important though, as I find the audio in of my current integrated card to be satisfactory.

**dj_stick** · Aug 24, 2005, 03:55 AM

ok the audigy ES and the Audigy player are the same card, but the player has a firewire port while the ES has the gameport
the audigy LS is a crippled card that doesn't have the "audigy" chip on it, therefore it is a software card (more CPU usage) and no modded drivers can work on it

my recommendation is the true audigy card (player or ES, no real difference in audio)

EDIT: the Audigy 2 Value will most likely have a better audio quality that the other cards i've talked about, and is most probably 7.1 (the others are 5.1, not sure on the LS though)

IvanV · Aug 24, 2005, 04:39 AM

Thanks, you helped me make a choice. It's gonna be Audigy ES or Player.

**dj_stick** · Aug 24, 2005, 03:13 PM

that's a good choice, an audigy es is one of the soundcards i am using atm