Sound Card

[MasterShrive 2,018]

So it looks like my old Auzen X-Fi Prelude has finally bitten the dust. The card has been with my since my second build in mid-2009 I think (costing me $250, when GTX280s, Intel Core 2 and Microsoft Vista were all the rage), so she's served me well. But now, despite saying it's playing sound through Windows, for some reason nothing comes out (and the mic doesn't work either). I haven't done the full troubleshooting yet (such as reseating the card or looking at drivers), but I'm strongly considering doing an upgrade anyway to something more modern.

 

At present, I use the X-Fi Prelude for my headphones (and thus my in-game sound etc.) and switch to onboard sound for my 2.1 Logitech system when playing singleplayer games or listening to music. Do other people use a sound card? If so, what would you recommend? And how do people go about switching between desktop speakers and headphones? Is there a more elegant solution than having a sound card combined with onboard?

 

The onboard sound is probably pretty good for what I need currently anyway, but I'm interested to see what other setups people use.

[MiniSanders 588]

My headphones are plugged into the front ports on my tower... 

When I want speakers I unplug them... 

 

And I have had a sound card, and took it out due to the problems it was causing... 

 

Now using onboard... 

[MasterShrive 2,018]

Good point. I never got the front audio ports working on this build - not that I really tried that hard. I can plug my headphones into the side of my speakers, which is what I did tonight. So that is a possible solution too.

[bprc 1,441]

What is this... 1998?

[MasterShrive 2,018]

Come on mate! I said Windows Vista! Don't you listen?!

[Unlikely-Emp 153]

I use one of the Asus Xonar STX sound cars. Works great. I run a Stereo connection to my External mixer that connects into my speakers (I run a 2 Channel Mixer for my Turntable because I need the PreAmps and all my stereo stuff is Preferance Gear with XLR). My headphone then run off the 1/4" Headphone jack. If I wanted I could also run a 1/4" Mic to I believe but at this stage I just have a USB one. What I am considering is running a 1/4" cable in to the mic port from the headphone jack on the Mixer which would allow me to Listen to some of my records while I'm on the PC. To switch sources you just open the audio driver thingy that runs in the background Tab thingy and just switch outputs. No more complex than standard windows. 

 

The new one is fairly Pricy at $450 odd dollars but their Strix Line also seems like a fairly solid option but only output in 3.2mm form factors or Optical it seems. The option that looks good is the creative one at $350. It depends on your connectivity requirements though. I don't run anything 3.2mm anymore only 1/4" and XLR so I don't have much choice really but to run the expensive ones. 

[bprc 1,441]

Come on mate! I said Windows Vista! Don't you listen?!

Sorry, I've completely blocked that from my memory!

[MasterShrive 2,018]

Blocked it from your memory? Or did it cause a buffer overrun and you were forced to reboot?

[PistolKnight 554]

Same as Emp for me - Asus xonar essence stx (there is a stx II now ~ $220)

 

I did also have the Prelude by Auzentech but that was repurposed into my son's build.

 

Your right, onbard is a far cry from what it was, but if positional sound is important (more than casual gaming) then a soundcard is still a must have imo. Other than that Onbard is very good if you just want casual gaming and music - although i notice a big difference in the music that comes through the SC as opposed to on board, again if your only listening at 128 then prob not a great deal of difference.

 

My setup is only 2.1 (HK soundsticks) with headphones, but all plugs into and through the SC and a drop down in the Asus software switches between external and headphone, so no messy cables etc with front panel - the Asus software also is where you can fiddle with effects, sound etc (has presets for gaming, music, movies which is a click of a button to switch)

 

I am happy with the Xonar and would happily purchase again.

[Decroxx 816]

My headphones are plugged into the front ports on my tower... 

When I want speakers I unplug them... 

 

And I have had a sound card, and took it out due to the problems it was causing... 

 

Now using onboard... 

Same for me with the front ports.

Never had a sound card, so wouldn't be able to tell you the difference.

[MasterShrive 2,018]

PK, how do you work out which plugs take what on the sound card for headphones and 2.1?

[MiniSanders 588]

From last I remember having a sound card Shrives, when you plugged something in it asks you what it is...

Or you usually have some sort of software that lets you choose what is what.

[PistolKnight 554]

PK, how do you work out which plugs take what on the sound card for headphones and 2.1?

 

 

Left to Right

 

Red and White go to PC speakers (I have Harman Kardon soundsticks) - actually goes into sub woofer which then connects to speakers

 

Headphone Jack

 

Mic Jack

 

SPDIF out Jack - I do not use this, but can use for external sound equipment (eg CD player etc)

[MasterShrive 2,018]

Ah I see. Those red and white ones aren't the normal 3.5mm plug though? As my 2.1 system just works off the usual one green plug and the sub works it out from there.

[PistolKnight 554]

No the red and white are the standard 3.5mm RCA plugs. The Headphone and Mic are the larger 6.5mm (so used an adapter - like the one that would come with a receiver) which converts the headphone and mic from 3.5 to 6.5.

 

I can still have my setup with your one green 3.5mm plug - there is an adaptor like this http://www.4cabling.com.au/stereo-socket-to-2x-rca-plug.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=Cj0KEQjwvve_BRDmg9Kt9ufO15EBEiQAKoc6qpLpyWTleK4vkDa_vxhfnsMhHKtg_7W96fP9qncgj7saAgmU8P8HAQ

 

which you can use - which is what I had with my old speakers and the Auzentech Prelude as my old speakers also only had a single green to sub then to speakers setup

[MasterShrive 2,018]

Yeah righto. Interesting. I've probably got adaptors for both of those lying around actually.

[tricky 81]

And how do people go about switching between desktop speakers and headphones?

 

if it's realtek you can just uncheck disable front panel jack detection and it'll play output stream to both rear and front at same time..

 

The new one is fairly Pricy at $450

 

$450 for a c-media card? That price inflation, onboard ones aren't even that bad now adays.. 

[fencer 175]

I gave up on a sound card years ago and invest the difference on a better motherboard and or headphones. I use some pretty nice Beyerdynamic headphones with a motherboard that rocks a Creative sound Core 3D chip and they sound fine to me so imo unless you use very high end headphones you wont tell the difference between a good modern motherboard and a sound card for gaming. Music on the other hand I dont know as I dont and never have used my pc to play music.

[MasterShrive 2,018]

Yeah I should probably see how I find the motherboard's sound chip. I can't even remember what it's got on it.

[MasterShrive 2,018]

Turns out my onboard sound may or may not have crapped itself (pending further investigation tonight). So I may need to get a sound card. Are you still using the one above PK? Anyone else running something worth while? Or a USB sound card?

[bprc 1,441]

Reformat...

[MasterShrive 2,018]

I'm not sure that's the problem in this instance. I do have a way to check though (I might put in an old Windows 7 fresh install I have on a different disk and boot from that, just to see).

 

This is pushing back any monitor purchase I might make given I might have to add something else to the order.

[PistolKnight 554]

1 hour ago, MasterShrive said:

Turns out my onboard sound may or may not have crapped itself (pending further investigation tonight). So I may need to get a sound card. Are you still using the one above PK? Anyone else running something worth while? Or a USB sound card?

Yes I am still running the Asus Xonar Essence STX (and my son's build is still using the old Auzentech) - I cannot fault either. Have you tried reinstalling drivers via bios or updating the bios? I am not sure you would want a USB sound card, I would imagine that they are pretty ordinary even comparing today's onboard let alone a dedicated SC.

 

Asus Xonar STX II is now available but fairly pricey - found this available (same model as mine):

http://headphones.com.au/product/bargain-bin-new-discontinued-ex-display-items/?attribute_products=Asus+Xonar+Essence+ST&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6NjNBRDKARIsAFn3NMplNHVNbo1bJgOsorogXJnIvUWJBuOAKtQ9USYyo6uvsKNQhRm6lI4aAoqgEALw_wcB

[MasterShrive 2,018]

Yeah I'm not sold on the USB option.

 

I've done all the drivers etc. The real strange thing is, Windows says it's playing sound, sound displays in the green bar graph from the sound manager, but regardless of what I plug into the port, it doesn't work. Mic still works though. So it could be software related, but I've done all I can think of there. I might have a look around in the BIOS though as well. At this stage I'm just trying to prepare for all eventualities, but I'm hoping I might get it fixed tonight.

[PistolKnight 554]

Are you using the right output device in windows settings?