X-Fi - worth upgrading from Audigy 2 ZS Platinum?

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Thread: X-Fi - worth upgrading from Audigy 2 ZS Platinum?

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  1. 11-07-2005, 11:55 PM #1
    Craig234
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    X-Fi - worth upgrading from Audigy 2 ZS Platinum?

    Subject says it all - how much sound improvement will I hear, is it worth $280 to the Xi-Fi Fatal1ty (I wish they didn't have that 'endorsement', bleh)?

    I have the Klipsch 5.1 Ultra speakers currently ('ok' sound).
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  2. 11-08-2005, 01:57 PM #2
    thrawn86
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    I think the consensus is that its a better card, sq wise, but not worth the price atm. I'll be getting one eventually when they're under 100$. Those bay mountable breakout boxes are sexy, i'm such a sucker.
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  3. 11-08-2005, 11:29 PM #3
    hongsc
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    I agree and I own the card.
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  4. 11-09-2005, 12:43 AM #4
    Craig234
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    Thanks

    Thanks - as I read it, I could probably hear some improvement, but slight so that much money for it is too much.
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  6. 11-09-2005, 02:07 AM #5
    thrawn86
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    nope, considering you can get a2 plats for under 100 now.
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  7. 11-10-2005, 01:07 PM #6
    Nasty
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    It also depends on what you're going to use the card for.

    If you're using your PC mainly to listen to CDs and/or MP3s, the Audigy2 ZS series is not a good choice; not only does it resample 44.1kHz audio to 48kHz, but it does such resampling in a terrible manner (changing the bits drastically as it resamples). What's more, like all mid-level Creative cards, the Audigy2's roll off the treble with audio sampled at a 48kHz sampling rate.
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  8. 11-10-2005, 01:17 PM #7
    PCJ
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    Save your money and upgrade to an EMU sooner or later.
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  9. 11-10-2005, 03:16 PM #8
    Deni
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    Quote Originally Posted by PCJ
    Save your money and upgrade to an EMU sooner or later.
    WHy do you suggest EMU? He hasnt mentioned that he is in to audio creation and that's what those cards are intended for......
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  11. 11-10-2005, 10:24 PM #9
    Whiplasher
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    Yeah but they are really good cards for 2.1 sound and they can co exist with the the audigy he currently owns.
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  12. 11-12-2005, 04:14 PM #10
    Frraksurred
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    But why would he want to a 2.1 card with his 5.1 set up?

    I bought the X-Fi about a week ago... upgrading from an Audigy. I bought it primarily for games, but I have noticed a difference on my DVD audio's as well. I can't say that I've done any benchmarks in any of my games to be able to show a difference yet, but if I were to make an educated guess I'd say I'm getting an average of 3 to 4 more FPS in F.E.A.R. and closer to 10 more in HL2.

    Like everyone else, I'd recommend waiting until the card comes down in price, but as far as the cards sound quality and performance I'd say it would be a worthy upgrade over a A2 ZS
    Last edited by Frraksurred; 11-12-2005 at 04:14 PM.
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  13. 11-12-2005, 05:02 PM #11
    thrawn86
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    its not a '2.1' card, and it also takes a bit of effort to get it working with your normal speakers. -good- cables are not cheap. (at least to have them made, they're not)

    besides, for the klipsch speakers, meh. we're not talking hi fi equipment here.
    Last edited by thrawn86; 11-12-2005 at 05:04 PM.
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  14. 11-14-2005, 01:43 AM #12
    Frraksurred
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    Quote Originally Posted by thrawn86
    besides, for the klipsch speakers, meh. we're not talking hi fi equipment here.
    Klipsch not hi-fi? How about these?

    What would you recommend? Martin Logans?
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  15. 11-14-2005, 04:00 AM #13
    SprySpectre
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    yes, klipsch CAN make some hi-fi equip...but he stated he had the 5.1 ultra's, which are MM speakers...not bookshelves. Thus, the klipsch he has are NOT hi-fi...which he even verified with his addition afterwards of ('ok' sound).

    haha, I can't speak for Thrawn, but yeah I'd recommend Martin Logans to anyone who could afford them...
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  16. 11-14-2005, 10:23 PM #14
    Frraksurred
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    Quote Originally Posted by SprySpectre
    yes, klipsch CAN make some hi-fi equip...but he stated he had the 5.1 ultra's, which are MM speakers...not bookshelves. Thus, the klipsch he has are NOT hi-fi...which he even verified with his addition afterwards of ('ok' sound).
    LOL. I figured, but I work in the industry (audio|video|security), so I had to throw some flak.

    haha, I can't speak for Thrawn, but yeah I'd recommend Martin Logans to anyone who could afford them...
    Me to, and no... I can't afford them either, lol.
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  17. 11-16-2005, 05:21 AM #15
    SprySpectre
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    Quote Originally Posted by Frraksurred
    LOL. I figured, but I work in the industry (audio|video|security), so I had to throw some flak.
    I can't blame ya for it...If I wasn't using the receiver--bookshelf--sub combo, i'd own either the Ultra's or a nice pair of Swan's for MM speakers.
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