Computer soundcard issues?

[rnp614]

Ok, so I think my soundcard might be messed up. I use a rat shack adapter that converts the minijack to stereo and then use a normal stereo cable. A long while ago my roommate's damned girlfriend moved my computer and the minijack kind of jerked inside the soundcard. I think it bent the terminal a bit on the soundcard.

ANYWAYS, after that I have noticed subwoofer hum and for some reason it seems that the highs are really rolled off now. I use an Audigy 2.

Do you guys thing that the card is basically shot now as a result of it being a little abused?

[danger boy]

maybe the card moved.. out of it's socket. open up the computer and pull it out and re seat is again. just to be sure.

sound cards last for years usually. but anything is possible of course. a basic sound card is pretty inexpensive if you need to replace it.

[rnp614]

yeah I suppose I'll try that when I put in my AIW X800XT this week. Any suggestions as to a cheap card that sounds good (if I have to replace it)? I was looking to maybe go with either an old ass turtle beach santa cruz or get a cheap chaintech 7.1 card that supposedly sounds great if you install different drivers for that envy chip.

[Shizelbs]

If you want more info than you could ever handle about which sound card to buy for pure SQ, go to the computers as a source section at head-fi.org.

Many of them use emu 0404 or the emu 1212 sound card. Rather, TONS of them use those cards. They even mod them. :rolleyes:

I don't think they do surround sound, but I am not sure of that. But it seems to be the way to go if you want just plain good 2 channel sound.

[Zero]

Take the card out and check to see if there are any bent prongs or any loose connections on the jack. When you are done, be sure to secure it till it snaps back into place.

If you cannot solve your issue, the Chaintech is a very inexpensive solution that does offer excellent performance.

[rnp614]

what brands have these emu chips? Or is emu a brand?

[rnp614]

Also, my preamp does not have digital coax or optical on it. So I dont think those EMU cards will work.

Anyone know anything about the m-audio Audiophile 2496? It has stereo outs.

[Zero]

RNP,

E-mu is Creative Labs series of professional sound-cards. Which E-Mu are you currently running? I use the 1212M which for analog, allows for a 1/4th jack to RCA connection(stereo outs). The model below only offers the 1/8th jack if I remember correctly.

Take Shiz's advice, there is a plethora of information over at head-fi.org

If you are a gamer than this sound card is not for you. Driver support is nearly non existant and their are many conflicts with current gaming software. For stereo, the other cards just don't compare.

[rnp614]

i dont have an e-mu right now. My use would be for stereo only, but my concern is that I do play games occassionally (usually I mute the game and listen to music however). Do the drivers cause game instability? Or is it just that the card doesnt support surround sound which gamers seem to prefer.

[Zero]

rnp,

I too play games occasionally. So far, the only game I've found to where the E-mu just wont work well is Half Life 2. There is no game instability - the sound just cuts off not long after play starts.

[cheezman67]

If you want to go cheap the Chaintech AV-710 is a great card (around 25 dollars, compared to 100 or so for the cheapest EMU), and if properly set up it gives sound quality beyond its price. I use the optical out on mine and its great for that too.