Looking to upgrade soundcard from Audigy2 ZX Pro

[EtrnLwanderer]

I have been using a Creative Audigy 2 ZX Pro paired with Gigaworks S750 7.1 speakers for my computer. I am planning to upgrade to a sound card that supports Win8 as my old sound card does not have support for it any more. The speakers work flawlessly so I dont intend changing those and additionally they are routed through the Creative DDTS-100 which enables me to run my PS3 also on the same 7.1 speaker config.
Price is not a criteria but I would like a recommendation as to which sound card would go best with my 7.1 THX certified Creative S750 speakers.

All pointers would be highly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Rockfella]

Amazon.in: Buy Asus XONAR D2X 7.1 Interface Sound Card Online at Low Prices in India | Asus Reviews & Ratings

 

[EtrnLwanderer]

The D2X is a sound card released in 2008. Not sure if it has driver support for Win8. In fact it isnt even listed on the Asus website for India any more.

 

[snkadh]

@EtrnLwandere: You can look for the Asus Xonar or Essence series sound cards. And if you want better than Asus, then look for ESI Juli@ or RME cards. They are very expensive.

And if you are using Creative DDTS-100 then try to route your sound card output through optical/coaxial.

 

[greenhorn]

Just curious, Have you tried the daniel K Support pack?
http://forums.creative.com/showthread.php?t=698949

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

And if you want better than Asus, then look for ESI Juli@ or RME cards. They are very expensive.

ESI Juli@ is not very expensive, and is the darling of many music lovers. It might be the best value for money, and it's audio quality might be hard to beat without spending a lot more. Problem: Isn't it only 2-chanel stereo, whereas EtrnLwanderer needs 7.1?

RME is moving into semi-pro/pro interface land, and getting very much more expensive. They also cater for studio protocols, rather than domestic analogue out. I was very much in love with my RMI card: it gave me one of my hifi-Wow moments... It was simply 2-channel i/o, analogue/digital, and I don't think they even make an equivalent now.

It's interesting to see audio-myth-buster Ethan Winer on just how much difference there is between an "ordinary" sound card and expensive, high-end studio equipment. It is not as much as we might think or hope!

In my early sound-card experiment days, a Sound Blaster was correctly named. Now, even mother-board builtins are at least half-decent.

 

[EtrnLwanderer]

@snkadh: Thanks I'll look up the Asus series as I'd rather not sacrifice the 7.1 speaker system by tying it to a 2 channel sound card.
@greehorn: I did try the daniel K support card on Win7 and wasnt too pleased with the output nor interface. Hence the reason I'd rather go with company driver and software support rather than 3rd party ones
@Thad E Ginathom : Thank you. I will keep the ESI card suggestion filed away for when I want to hook up a dedicated 2 speaker audiophile oriented rig, but for now I have to compromise the system for both music, movies and PS3 games

 

[Rockfella]

The D2X is a sound card released in 2008. Not sure if it has driver support for Win8. In fact it isnt even listed on the Asus website for India any more.

Plus is doesn't have front audio port

 

[Subha15011976]

The D2X is a sound card released in 2008. Not sure if it has driver support for Win8. In fact it isnt even listed on the Asus website for India any more.

Don't use the stock driver what comes with D2X because it has some installation issue with win7 (64) & win8. You must use "Asus Unixonar Driver" for D2X. It is more stable and give U a problem free installation. I personally doing that way for my D2X with zero problem.

 

[Rockfella]

This is madness!

@greehorn: I did try the daniel K support card on Win7 and wasnt too pleased with the output nor interface. Hence the reason I'd rather go with company driver and software support rather than 3rd party ones
@Thad E Ginathom : Thank you. I will keep the ESI card suggestion filed away for when I want to hook up a dedicated 2 speaker audiophile oriented rig, but for now I have to compromise the system for both music, movies and PS3 games

 

[juefanfunests]

Not sure if it has driver support for Win8. In fact it isnt even listed on the Asus website for India any more.