Hello, I was considering getting an M-audio Soundcard for my PC (I am just starting out in production), but I also like the SB audigy card. Any musician that I speak to will tell me to go with the m-audio because "it is designed for music" or "it's just better"
My question is: Why (based on performance statistics) is the m-audio better than the audigy, is it S/N ratio? Low tatentcy?
Where would I find these comparative statistics?

In any case, thank you for your help.
--Joshua

The M-Audio delta series soundcards have an external 'breakout' box, which helps to keep the s/n ratio down. the s/n ratio of my delta 44 is around -80, and there is a notable difference when you move the card as far as possible from your graphics card (i have a geforce4 so it does creat alittle extra noise, but ah well).

also, the SB audigy card does support 24.96 audio for PLAYBACK. it does not support recording in true 24.96 audio, which the delta does.

I dont know if there are any other differences, but from what I've heard people really prefer the m-audio's.

I've seen producers that use Audigy 2 (f.e. Airbase, Ralphie-B and so on) so going with the audigy 2 might not be totally wrong

although, going with M-audio might not be totally wrong either

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Originally posted by davedresden i suggest getting the gabriel & dresden prog-a-minute. in 3 easy steps you too could change the face of dance music. batteries not included. - dave

I wouldnt recommend Audigy to anyone when it comes to music production. Mine is a pain in the ass, Im gonna get a new one as soon as I have the time to study what to get. I've heard that Audiophile makes good soundcards!

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http://www.airbasemusic.com

M-Audio ASIO drivers kick ass. Super-low latency. The M-Audio Audiophile is cheap, and has all the benefits of the higher-end M-Audio cards (Delta series drivers etc...) except without a breakout box.

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http://www.aponaut.com

as a good friend of mine says

"AUDIOPHILE 24/98 ..... no frills, just brilliant sound quality & low latency"

where can i buy one online in the UK, any recomendations?!

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ohh well nevermind about the audigy 2 then...I must say that I'm not suprised that creative has made another fucked up card I have a friend that has audigy 1, I don't think it's working as it should yet

well from what I've heard, if youre going for a soundcard and don't want to pay like 1000$+ the go for the audiophile 2496

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Originally posted by davedresden i suggest getting the gabriel & dresden prog-a-minute. in 3 easy steps you too could change the face of dance music. batteries not included. - dave

The M-audio breakout box also has balanced inputs and will work MUCH better with a high-level (+4db) signal.

sound quality is awesome, drivers rock, good support, etc etc..

and they dont cost more than the greatly overprice audigy.

plus, no silly consumer-style S/PDIF issues (SCMS, bitrate conversion, etc)

DO NOT GET THE AUDIGY 2.. its the one piece of shit that i really regret putting in my computer when i built it.. yah the front panel can come in handy, but you can get front panels for other sound cards as well.. i have more hardware conflicts w/ this piece of shit than i've ever had any other time. this card is for gamers and ppl that wanna watch movies w/ surround sound.. it is NOT for audiophiles.. well at least thats my opinion. the optical outs are good for recording onto MDs and wat not and the rca ins are a nice feature, but again, u can get this w/ a good sound card from another manufacturer. i really don't recommend getting this card.. i'm not a gamer, nor do i watch movies on my pc, so basically this card offers nothing to me that i couldn't get w/ a basic sound blaster live 5.1 card which was like 100 bux less.. if ur gonna drop the cash, get m-audio!!! unless u really want an audigy 2, i'll be glad to sell u mine so that I can use ur money to by myself an m-audio.. oh and the midi inputs are useless to me also because i plug in my m-audio radium keyboard w/ usb.. bah.. screw audigy 2

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Originally posted by hapamoto DO NOT GET THE AUDIGY 2.. its the one piece of shit that i really regret putting in my computer when i built it.. yah the front panel can come in handy, but you can get front panels for other sound cards as well.. i have more hardware conflicts w/ this piece of shit than i've ever had any other time. this card is for gamers and ppl that wanna watch movies w/ surround sound.. it is NOT for audiophiles.. well at least thats my opinion. the optical outs are good for recording onto MDs and wat not and the rca ins are a nice feature, but again, u can get this w/ a good sound card from another manufacturer. i really don't recommend getting this card.. i'm not a gamer, nor do i watch movies on my pc, so basically this card offers nothing to me that i couldn't get w/ a basic sound blaster live 5.1 card which was like 100 bux less.. if ur gonna drop the cash, get m-audio!!! unless u really want an audigy 2, i'll be glad to sell u mine so that I can use ur money to by myself an m-audio.. oh and the midi inputs are useless to me also because i plug in my m-audio radium keyboard w/ usb.. bah.. screw audigy 2