Is the new SoundBlaster X-fi worth it at all???

> > > Is the new SoundBlaster X-fi worth it at all???

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Member Since: Feb 01, 2006

Hello Friends,

Till yesterday, I was all set to go in for the highest end Sound blaster series Card. (Called X-fi elite Pro).
I have heard opinions of a lot of learned people from this community about sound cards to purchase for recording purposes.
The inputs from this forum have been very useful to me. I'm now really thinking before investing :-).
I was just wondering... Technically, what is it that the M-audio or any other Professional sound card has that is better than the Soundblaster series..?
Forgive me if this question has been already answered here in the forum.
For your convenience, I'm listing the so-called features of the X-fi card.

***** BEGIN *****
Technical Specs

24-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion of analog inputs at 96kHz sample rate
24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of digital sources at 96kHz to analog 7.1 speaker output
24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of stereo digital sources at 192kHz to stereo output
16-bit to 24-bit recording sampling rates: 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz
ASIO 2.0 support at 16-bit/44.1kHz, 16-bit/48kHz, 24-bit/44.1kHz 24-bit/48kHz and 24-bit/96kHz with direct monitoring.
Enhanced SoundFont support of up to 24-bit resolution
64MB of X-RAM
Audio Performance (Rated Output @ 2Vrms, Typical Value)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (20kHz Low-pass filter, A-Weighted)
Stereo Output: 116dB
Front and Rear Channels: 116dB
Center, Subwoofer and Side Channels: 116dB
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise at 1kHz (20kHz Low-pass filter) = 0.0008%
Frequency Response (-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz input ) = <10Hz to 46kHz
Frequency Response (-3dB, 24-bit/192kHz input) = <10Hz to 88kHz (Stereo only)
Connectivity

FlexiJack (Performing a 3-in-1 function, Digital I/O1 / Line In / Microphone) via 3.50mm mini jack
Line level out (Front / Rear / Side / Center / Subwoofer) via 3.50mm mini jacks
AUX_IN line-level analog input via 4-pin Molex connector on card
One AD_Link (26 pin) connector for linking to the X-Fi I/O Console (upgrade option)
I/O Console Connectivity

Two RCA jacks for coaxial SPDIF input and output
Shared Auxiliary input / Phono input via RCA stereo jacks
Two optical connectors for optical SPDIF input and output
Two standard MIDI female connectors for MIDI input and output
Headphone output and volume control via 6.35 mm (1/4-inch) stereo jack
Shared line-level analog Line/Microphone input via 6.35 mm (1/4-inch) stereo jack
Shared line-level analog Line/Hi-Z input via 6.35 mm (1/4-inch) stereo jack
DIN jack to connect Creative analog speaker systems with the wired remote control or Audio Control Pod that comes with the speakers
One AD_LINK connector for linking to the audio card
1 Supports SPDIF Out compressed ac3 signal or PCM for Stereo Digital Speaker. Also supports SPDIF In with Creative Digital I/O Module (sold separately).

**** END ****

Appreciate all your inputs on this.

Thanks,
Ash...

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Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003

Feb 01, 2006 11:19 pm

The Xfi is a pretty impressive card and has gotten very strong reviews, but it's also pricey and considering that IMO the money would be better spent on one of the M-Audio, Julia@ etc cards.

I use an SB Audigy 2 and it's served me well so far, but I plan on picking up an M-Audio Delta 66 soon for additional inputs. Some will tell you all SB's suck but IMO it does every bit as well as the cards in it's price range, so if you also like to game alot etc, the XFi might not be a bad deal for you, but if it's mainly for music the above cards are cheaper and will do a great job.

Dan

Member
Since: Feb 01, 2006

Feb 02, 2006 03:18 am

Hi Dan,

Thanks so much for the inputs..
I already have the SBlive Platinum for gaming/ playback purposes.
I'm going in for a good recording sound card. Definitely not the X-Fi.
Moreover.. I don't see the terminology "Balanced Inputs" in the entire technical Spec.
Guess that should be a requirement for a professional card.

Now that I have been opened up to so many new options on the new soundcard, I'll research on my requirements and pick the card up :-).

Thanks again.
Ash...

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Feb 02, 2006 07:13 am

don't put undo worry into balanced inputs, they are nice to have as an option, but are by no means necessary for a good recording.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Feb 02, 2006 08:40 am

When it comes to recording, well, SB's can do the job, but they sometimes make it a little harder. They are very good at DVD playback, listening to your mp3's, playing games, etc...that is their intended use. Their marketing department makes them sound like more of a semi-pro/pro level recording card than they really are. With limited tracks you can pull it off, as your songs get to be more tracks SB's will start choking. They often have cheaper convertors (converting from analog to digital and back) than the semi-pro/pro level cards. That said, guys like olddog and tonyd, another member here, and a few others have made them work for them...

If you want one for recording, don't look at the local big box stores, look at music stores, preferably zZounds :-) and get a recording card...you'll be glad you did.

M-Audio, ESI, Echo and many others do not have the frivolous stuff that SB's and SB knockoffs have for gaming and such, they are built for recording, all the technology in the card is made for that purpose, and they are much better at it.

I lean toward ESI myself with M-Audio being a close runner up, but now they are owned by Avid/DigiDesign (the ProTools people) which kinda gives me the heebeejeebee's...

Considering what it appears your needs are, I would suggest the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 www.homerecordingconnecti...Audiophile+2496 or the ESI Juli@ www.esi-pro.com/viewProduct.php?pid=43&page=1

Member
Since: Feb 01, 2006

Feb 03, 2006 08:37 am

Thanks a ton, dB Masters, for the valuble inputs.
I know now, what exactly to go in for. :-).

Cheers,
-Ash...

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Feb 03, 2006 08:39 am

great, glad to help.

You will find everybody has their opinions and bias'...just like any other aspect of life...so you'll get lots of opinions here, some conflicting at times, but all with the same goal, to help as much as possible. So even if opinions conflict, they are not necessarily wrong, just based on different experiences...

That said, if they conflict with my opinions, then they are, obviously, wrong :-) hehehehehe

The Eternal Student
Member
Since: Oct 08, 2005

Feb 03, 2006 09:40 am

Quote:
That said, if they conflict with my opinions, then they are, obviously, wrong :-)

That deserves an "oh wow". hahaha

> > > Is the new SoundBlaster X-fi worth it at all???

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