Live Drive II with Audigy 1 - will it work?

Super_lenton · Dec 6, 2005, 03:43 AM

Hi folks,

I'm new here, but this does seem an excellent forum.

I have an old platinum SB live 5.1 (SB0060) with the IR Live Drive II front bay.

If I upgrade to an Audigy 1 soundcard (SB0090), firstly will the Live Drive be compatable (OK no firewire!), and secondly, will there be a noticeable improvement in sound quality?

Can I upgrade to Audigy 2 (I seem to recall seeing that the pin alignment is different ???)

Thanks

Guy T

**dj_stick** · Dec 6, 2005, 05:20 AM

as far as hardware compatibility goes you'll have no trouble

not sure about software-wise though

classic_leon · Dec 6, 2005, 01:55 PM

Connecting excellent stuff you got to an Audigy dose not make more senses.
But, IR Live Drive II + an Audigy2 = an Audigy2 ZS Platinum (but it's 6.1) <-----after connect pin 25-35 of Audigy2, open Creative Audio Console and select Dolby Digital/DTS SPDIF-In Decoder on SPDIF I/O.

Super_lenton · Dec 7, 2005, 02:56 AM

THanks for your replies, chaps! So, am I right in assuming that the AUD_EXT pin config is the same for Live!5.1 (SB0060) and Audigy 1 (SB0090) ? In theory, I could just plug my IR Live Drive II into the SB0090 and it will work fine? However, judging by Leon's response, it isn't worth upgrading to the SB0090, but insterd go for the Audigy 2.

I've found the pin config for Audigy 2 (on a seperate thread) but will also need the pin config for Live!5.1. Can you guys help?

But then again, making the required custom cable will be challenging!

Forgot to mention, that my Live Drive II has a black fascia, (designed for the Audigy), purchased direct from Creative last year. I had to tape over the hole on the Live drive's metal chassis with black pvc tape, where the firewire socket would be. So obviously, even then, before the Audigy was released, Creative were planning ahead, since the chassis in the Live Drive II has a bloody great "firewire-shaped" hole in it!

It seems like Creative changed pin configs, deliberatly to make sure that older hardware is definately NOT compatable! I suppose they do have a business to run!

Best

Guy T (Vinyl -> digital junkie!)

**dj_stick** · Dec 7, 2005, 05:54 AM

if you upgrade to the audigy 2, you will not be able to use the analog inputs and outputs on the drive bay

Super_lenton · Dec 7, 2005, 08:36 AM

If I upgrade to the Audigy 1, will the drive bay analogue inputs and outputs work?

Guy

**dj_stick** · Dec 7, 2005, 03:39 PM

yes they will

Super_lenton · Dec 8, 2005, 02:14 AM

Hi Chris,

Is the Audigy 1 SB0090 really any better than the live! 5.1 SB0060? I mean - is it going to be worth the effort, since most of the use of the card is with the analogue front connectors, and old scratched LPs and muffled cassettes!

Thnaks

Guy

**dj_stick** · Dec 8, 2005, 04:15 AM

there'd be no real difference imo, only the bloated driver package. You'd be best off sticking with what you have right now

Super_lenton · Dec 8, 2005, 04:37 AM

Thanks!

Will do.

Guy

Dec 6, 2005, 03:43 AM	#1
Super_lenton DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Live Drive II with Audigy 1 - will it work? Hi folks, I'm new here, but this does seem an excellent forum. I have an old platinum SB live 5.1 (SB0060) with the IR Live Drive II front bay. If I upgrade to an Audigy 1 soundcard (SB0090), firstly will the Live Drive be compatable (OK no firewire!), and secondly, will there be a noticeable improvement in sound quality? Can I upgrade to Audigy 2 (I seem to recall seeing that the pin alignment is different ???) Thanks Guy T

Dec 6, 2005, 01:55 PM	#3
classic_leon DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Wu Han, Hu Bei, P.R.China Posts: 1,236 Rep Power: 0	Connecting excellent stuff you got to an Audigy dose not make more senses. But, IR Live Drive II + an Audigy2 = an Audigy2 ZS Platinum (but it's 6.1) <-----after connect pin 25-35 of Audigy2, open Creative Audio Console and select Dolby Digital/DTS SPDIF-In Decoder on SPDIF I/O. __________________ Fashion keeps us alive. Being racist is most stupid thing in the world. I am not a toy of political games that get played by politician. [COLOR=yellow][COLOR=red]YouP-PAX[/COLOR] [COLOR=blue]Please visit[/COLOR] www.YouP-PAX.org [COLOR=blue]to discuss the computer mods. The latest YouP PAX modded drivers are provided on the site.[/COLOR][/COLOR]

Dec 7, 2005, 02:56 AM	#4
Super_lenton DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	THanks for your replies, chaps! So, am I right in assuming that the AUD_EXT pin config is the same for Live!5.1 (SB0060) and Audigy 1 (SB0090) ? In theory, I could just plug my IR Live Drive II into the SB0090 and it will work fine? However, judging by Leon's response, it isn't worth upgrading to the SB0090, but insterd go for the Audigy 2. I've found the pin config for Audigy 2 (on a seperate thread) but will also need the pin config for Live!5.1. Can you guys help? But then again, making the required custom cable will be challenging! Forgot to mention, that my Live Drive II has a black fascia, (designed for the Audigy), purchased direct from Creative last year. I had to tape over the hole on the Live drive's metal chassis with black pvc tape, where the firewire socket would be. So obviously, even then, before the Audigy was released, Creative were planning ahead, since the chassis in the Live Drive II has a bloody great "firewire-shaped" hole in it! It seems like Creative changed pin configs, deliberatly to make sure that older hardware is definately NOT compatable! I suppose they do have a business to run! Best Guy T (Vinyl -> digital junkie!) Last edited by Super_lenton; Dec 7, 2005 at 03:01 AM.

Dec 7, 2005, 08:36 AM	#6
Super_lenton DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	If I upgrade to the Audigy 1, will the drive bay analogue inputs and outputs work? Guy

Dec 8, 2005, 02:14 AM	#8
Super_lenton DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Hi Chris, Is the Audigy 1 SB0090 really any better than the live! 5.1 SB0060? I mean - is it going to be worth the effort, since most of the use of the card is with the analogue front connectors, and old scratched LPs and muffled cassettes! Thnaks Guy

Dec 8, 2005, 04:37 AM	#10
Super_lenton DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Thanks! Will do. Guy