M-audio audiophile 2496 vs CL SB Audigy 2 ZS?

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Member Since: Mar 06, 2005

Hey, I'm just starting to get into home recording. I have a band, and we would like to start doing some recordings.

Yesterday I picked up a Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS for $80 from circuit city, but I'm starting to have second thoughts.

I have not tried recording yet, but I hear that I can get M-Audio Audiophile 2496 for about the same price, and it is a much better sound card for recording, is this true?

How is it on playing music? I am only concerned about two things for a sound card, music playback quality and recording quality. Is the M-audio just as good on music quality as the audigy 2 zs? If it is, I think I might return the Audigy 2, and pick up a m-audio 2496. Thanks.

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Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Mar 06, 2005 02:19 pm

Id sure as hell go for the M-Audio...

The M-Audio cards are made for recording...the blasters (whilst they may SAY) they are meant for recording - arent!

Also, the quality of M-Audio is fantastic. I run a Delta44 (the next model up from the 24/96) and its great.

You could do worse than return the audigy for the M-Audio.

Wlcome to HRC!

Coco.

SM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic's
Contributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002


Mar 06, 2005 04:15 pm

I 2nd coco's statement .The audiophile was my first sound card and I still stand by the sucker after 3 years now. The audiophile has no problem playing back audio (that's a big part of recording) . Welcome to HRC .

A small pie will soon be eaten
Member
Since: Aug 26, 2004


Mar 07, 2005 08:17 am

Yeh, definately the M-Audio! I got done when i first started and bought the platinum pro 2 ZS($500AUD). By the time i figured out it was rubbish for recording it was too late to return it!

Had to spend another $500 on a Delta 1010 LT.

Mind you i play lot of games too, so i'm not complaining about the Audigy on that front :) doesnt get any better. (and DVD's, Music ETC)




Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Mar 07, 2005 08:26 am

I had an audigy a long time ago. Card sucked and would choke up on me, but my delta 44 hasn't done that yet, and I've pushed it hard. So yeah, I say go with Audiophile.

Welcome to HRC

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Mar 07, 2005 08:27 am

SoundDisasters are not built for recording use, they are built for gaming and movie watching.

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004


Mar 07, 2005 10:21 am

Audiophile 2496, excellent soundcard for recording purposes.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Mar 07, 2005 10:22 am

yes, a similar card is the ESI Juli@, I dumped the 2496 for the Juli@, much lower latency...but the 2496 IS a decent card, surely SMOKES the Audigy in every conceivable recording category.

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004


Mar 07, 2005 10:25 am

How many input channels does the ESI Juli@ have?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Mar 07, 2005 10:26 am

it's the same as the audiophile, only it also has an optical output and WAY better WDM drivers and slightly better ASIO drivers.

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004


Mar 07, 2005 10:35 am

ahhhh....I c. Optical output, now thats got to be awesome.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Mar 07, 2005 10:38 am

yes, it is.

[email protected]
Member
Since: Sep 09, 2004


Mar 07, 2005 11:00 am

I use the M-Audiophile 2496 soundcard and it works fantastic. Great sound quality, you won't be disappointed. You'll definitely be better off going with the M-Audio over what you're using now. They've come down in price a lot since I bought mine, too. Made for recording audio.

Member
Since: Mar 06, 2005


Mar 07, 2005 06:56 pm

Thanks a lot guys, I'm gonna return it in the next couple days, and order the m-audio as no one around me carries it. It looks like $100 is the standard price round the internet, unless anyone knows of a cheaper place? Thanks.

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