Creative SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Reviewed

Julio writes "For some, the Audigy 2 is what the original Audigy should have been, however without trying to underestimate Creative efforts, they are bringing us today a revamped soundcard that is set to raise the bar like the original Live! did, many years ago. You will be happy to know that Creative has taken care of the board quality from the ground up, newer and better DACs are used to ensure 24-Bit/96-kHz/192kHz playback and among the rest of niceties the card offers you have DVD-Audio playback, full 6.1 surround sound, THX certification and the mandatory (for a Creative soundcard) EAX Advanced HD."

Comments

Sound Cards, the SB-Live-Audigy upgrade train.

[stratjakt]

Ok, consider first that I'm not a hardcore audiophile, and neither are most.

Once I got positional audio by way of the Live! series, what motivation is left to upgrade?

I mean I get positional audio and EAX in my games, I get surround sound in my movies. I rip/encode/playback my MP3s. I dont lose CPU time to the audio system, or deal with the setup hell that existed back in the ISA cards era. My PC isnt a media jukebox or lined through a $10,000 stereo, just a 4 way speaker set.

Why would anyone upgrade past Live, if they weren't an audiophile demanding the very latest (and even then, why would they? Most true audio geeks I know run 10 year old equipment).

I mean what breakthrough technologies have been developed? Two more speaker channels?

It's not like video cards. When Doom 3 comes out, and doesnt run on my computer, I can guarantee it will be because of the old Radeon card, not my SB Live.

So, really, what's been added to these things? Are there any good arguments to upgrade?

Sound card technology marches on..

[Nonillion]

While I'm sure this is a nice card I have really no need for 24 bit audio in the computer shack. Furthermore, I have some concers reguarding DRM.

1. Have the MPAA/RIAA forced DRM into the DAC on this card?

2. What about CPU resources, is this card totally stupid and require the CPU to hold its hand in the D/A A/D process? Or is it smart enough to do this on its own.

3. How is support under Linux? I'd hate to plunk down my hard earned cash only to find that it only works under Windows.

4. Is it really worth it to justify replacing my perfectly functioning Sound Blaster Live! card I currently use?

Unless I can think of a reason to use 24 bit 96 KHz audio (other than home theater) I'll just stick with what I have..

yes > /dev/mem