Creative SB Audigy 2 vs Realtek ALC889 (Onboard) Options

[fake1337]

Hello.

So I have an old Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 laying around and I'm currently using my onboard Realtek ALC889. Now people in general seem to think that a dedicated sound card is always better than onboard sound, but the Audigy 2 is much older than the onboard sound. Which one of these would give the best sound?

My speakers are the Corsair SP2500, in other words rather decent (I guess?).

[bennetng]

Creative's Audigy and X-Fi cards have higher output level than the onboard ones. The onboard interfaces I used cannot drive my $80 Sony earphones to desired level. Some of them also have audible noise floor even when everything are muted.

Creative cards with hardware DSPs (10k1, 10k2, X-Fi XtremeGamer or above) also support multi-client ASIO. Multiple ASIO applications can record and playback simultaneously. Even some semi-pro (especially USB and firewire) interfaces can't do that.

You can also install kX driver if you are using Audigy 2. Here is an interesting discussion about sound quality differences with different drivers:
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/general-disc...ty-1-0-why.html

Audigy 2 ZS measured with Lynx TWO
http://www.ixbt.com/multimedia/audiotrak/m...-pro-2496.shtml

This post has been edited by bennetng: Sep 16 2012, 08:27