5.1 live or Audigy 2?

I have a soundblaster 5.1 live! Should I upgrade to the Audigy 2 pci card?
I listen to music and play occasional games. I have Z-680 speakers.

Will the sound quality increase or will I not notice it moving from the 5.1 live?

What type of cable would you use for the digital out on the card?

I currently have an Sblive 5.1 with Z560's. If you're happy with the sound, I'd just stick with the Sblive. I'm short on cash and couldn't see the benefits with spending more money on a soundcard for a slight increase in sound quality. The prices will go down.

My friend has the Altec Lansing 641's and upgraded from onboard sound to an Audigy 2. He noticed a BIG difference.:D

I got a huge bump in sound quality from the onboard to the 5.1live. The money isnt a concern, I think the card cost about $100.00, right? I just want a little comfort in knowing that there will be a noticable quality change.

Oh, there will be a sizeable difference.;)

there is an immediate noticeable difference between the live and audigy2. the highs are crisper and the lows are less distorted at high volume. i run klipsch promedias, so maybe with crappier speakers the difference will be less noticable. just some thoughts from someone who has switched from the live to the audigy2 within the last 2 weeks.

I reckon you'd notice a sunstantial difference switching from the Live 5.1 to the Audigy 2 ... I noticed a difference when I switched from the Audigy 1 to the Audigy 2!!

Thanks for the input. I ordered the card from newegg.com

When you get the A2, make a new thread and let us know what you think of it.:D

I will. Ill test it with digital out and regular RCA out also.

I got the card and installed it. I use monster digital optical cables so there are no weak links in the system. I think there is a slight improvment in sound quality. DVD movies sound the same to me. Games are better. For the money I spent I feel I got good value. Is it a knockout - no. But it is great.

Is there a noticeable difference in music quality?

Yes. But If I had to do it again, I'd look to pay $40.00 for the card. I think the upgrade from a Live 5.1 to Audigy2 is surely worth that.

Why not get an M-Audio Revolution if you mainly use the card for music?

I dont know. Impulse purchase? Maybe that would have been better, there are a lot of features on the Audigy2 that I have no use for.

i went from a live to an audigy 2. i'll never go back. pair them up with a good set of speakers, and it's even better. glad you're happy with your purchase.