audigy different versions and sound quality question

Schranzmeister · Jul 4, 2006, 09:44 AM

hi

i own a sb0090 and a sb0230 (kx shown as sb0231)

on the sb0090 (manufactured in 2001)

DAC resolutions : -16-bit-
ADC resolutions : -16-bit-

on the sb0230(1) (manufactured in 2002)

DAC resolutions : -16-bit- -18-bit-
ADC resolutions : -16-bit- -18-bit-

i thought sb audigy has 24 bit adc and dac. otherwise is the sb0230(1) better than the sb0090 (higher sound quality) ? also the sb0090 has no 3d enhancement and the sb0230(1) has "SigmaTel 3D Enhancement"

i also own the platinum ex external board from the sb0090. is it possible to use it with the sb0230 ?

thanks

p.s.: here is the complete infos of both cards:

----Hardware / Software configuration---------------
Treibername:kX Audio Driver (Debug)
Treiberdatum: Jan 23 2006 01:43:49
Treiberversion: 5.10.00.3538 - debug
DB Name:none
SB0231 10k2 [c000]
PCI Information:
Device: 41102 Subsys: 5a1102 ChipRev: 3
Karte ist '10k2'
Card has MPU device
Kartenmodell ist '5.1'
Card HAS AC97 codec
Codec name: SigmaTel STAC9721/23
3D Extension: SigmaTel 3D Enhancement
Codec is 2.0 compliant
Capabilities[6940] :
DAC resolutions : -16-bit- -18-bit-
ADC resolutions : -16-bit- -18-bit-
Ext Capabilities [200]: -slot/DAC mappings-
Port: c000 Irq: 0x8(8)
Playback buffer: 20a0
Record buffer: 4000
Number of AC3 buffers: 4
Tank memory: 256 kb
GSIF buffer: 256 samples

----Hardware / Software configuration---------------
Treibername:kX Audio Driver (Debug)
Treiberdatum: Jan 23 2006 01:43:49
Treiberversion: 5.10.00.3538 - debug
DB Name:none
SB0090 10k2 [d880]
PCI Information:
Device: 41102 Subsys: 511102 ChipRev: 3
Karte ist '10k2'
Card has MPU device
Kartenmodell ist '5.1'
Card HAS AC97 codec
Codec name: TriTech TR A5/CT1297 TAT
3D Extension: No 3D Stereo Enhancement
Codec is 1.0 compliant
Capabilities[0] :
DAC resolutions : -16-bit-
ADC resolutions : -16-bit-
Ext Capabilities [0]:
Port: d880 Irq: 0x7(7)
Playback buffer: 20a0
Record buffer: 4000
Number of AC3 buffers: 4
Tank memory: 256 kb
GSIF buffer: 256 samples

jiiteepee · Jul 4, 2006, 11:56 AM

SB0090:

Digi-Life review - http://www.digit-life.com/articles/audigyplatinumex/

Quote:

The AC'97 specification of even the latest version (2.1 sept 2000) doesn't allow making audio codecs with an AC-link data transfer format higher than 20 bits. That is why the card uses converters based on the I2S bus (EMU10K1-based cards used it actively, just take the DAC of the rear channel - UDA1330A and UDA1334A on the Live! and on the Live!5.1). The Audigy also uses the Philips converters.

The card has the following chips supporting a data format up to 24bit 96kHz: 6-channel DAC Philips UDA1328T on 6 linear-outs and ADC Philips UDA1361T for signal sampling from a linear-in. The stereo AC'97-codec Creative CT1297 is used for mixing of all analog signals from card's internal connectors.

Since the sound card is primarily used for PC applications the most interesting object to study is a 6-channel 24bit/96kHz DAC Philips UDA1328T:

Isn't the SB0230 ~same w/ SB0090 (least the PCI part)?

But, as you perhaps remember the Audigy Class Action Settlement ... and read the review on Digi-Life (and Digi-Life's other reviews for newer models; Audigy 2 , Audigy 2 Zs), you'll perhaps get the impression, 24-bit is maybe not supported, as it should be by the Creative.

jiitee