PC Peripherals Sound Card for HTPC

M

mod-the-pc

Disciple
I've a HTPC with the following config

ASUS M2NPV-VM

AMD X2 3600

Transcend DDR2 667 - 512MB x2

Nmedia HTPC 200BA

Zebronics Platinum silent PSU

Logitech Z5300

Sony DRU 170C

Seagate 250 GB HDD

MCE Remote

HTPC connected to Panasonic 29FJC20U using component input
The sound quality when using the onboard audio with Z5300 is really inferior. The bass is very boomy. The onboard audio on my desktop (Intel 856GBF) is better when paired with the Logitech Z5300. I'm looking for a dedicated sound card for my HTPC to pair it up with the Z5300. Which sound card will be the best bang for the buck for my setup?
It would be great if it has features like setting the sub cross over frequency, hardware dts/dd decoding. Not a must, but would be great if the come at a little extra cost than the normal ones...
 
Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music is what i recommend. it uses Cirrus Logic CS4382 for Audio Decoding and is the cheapest varient of X-Fi Available in India. (X-Fi Xtreme Gamer is Not available here) it also has a SNR of 114dB which is pretty sweet. DD/DTS are supported alongside OpenAL. it retails for Rs.6,000/-

DONT Buy Audigy Cards. The reason being Creative is really shabby when it comes to Driver Updates and they have a habit of orphaning old Cards when new ones arrive. while almost every company does it, Creative does it at a much much larger scaler, completely abandoning support. Also, No Creative Sound Card currently available support Dolby Digital/DTS/6.1+ Output Under Vista. This is a driver issue which creative hasn't fixed yet.
 
Just seen review for this case on extremetech . looking good!

whats the damage for Nmedia HTPC 200BA?....

is it available in India?
 
sharmapu said:
Just seen review for this case on extremetech . looking good!

whats the damage for Nmedia HTPC 200BA?....

is it available in India?
Click to expand...
I got it for 90 USD. Its not available in India.
zhopudey said:
If its XP, my m-audio revo would be best
Click to expand...
How much does it cost? Can you please give me some links for reviews on it ? Does it allow changing the sub crossover freq? Does it have hardware dolby / dts decoding ? (don't make fun of me if the features in my wishlist are only found in pro grade cards...).
 
TheXplosion will have slightly better sound quality, plud DD/DTS encoding, plus better drivers,......oh sucks, there goes my sale :(
 
zhopudey said:
TheXplosion will have slightly better sound quality, plud DD/DTS encoding, plus better drivers,......oh sucks, there goes my sale :(
Click to expand...
Thanks zhopudey. Let me try getting the XPlosion from US. If I'm unable to get it and if your card is on sale till then, I'll take your card.
 
mod-the-pc said:
Thanks zhopudey. Let me try getting the XPlosion from US. If I'm unable to get it and if your card is on sale till then, I'll take your card.
Click to expand...

Hey mod, have u decided on the xplosion ? For how much are u getting it and from which site ?
 
Back
Top