[Alsa-user] Possible upgrade in the horizon, Live! Vs Audigy Vs Audigy 2 in Linux.

[Gain P. M. <the...@sl...>]

Well, as with many other subjects, I think it says it all... I may be 
upgrading soon (or so I hope) my computer to an AMD64 based system. Now, 
one thing I desperately need is hardware mixing capabilities, since I do 
a lot of stuff with sound (recording, palyback, mixing, etc), though not 
professionally :). I currently have an SB-Live! Value addon card on an 
nForce2 motherboard (wthout SoundStorm). Now my problem is two fold: I 
will be upgrading my system, and my current system will remain as a 
backup and pretty much media server. However I also pretend to have 
other services available in this computer (like the occational visit who 
needs a computer or if I invite a friend over and we could play mini-LAN 
games using TS and stuff). So I'll pretty much would like to leave the 
Live! card on this computer. Now, here's my problem: What card to get? 
I've been most pleased with Creative Labs' EMU10K1 based products, and 
as such I would like to get one of those, which I know will offer me 
what I'm currently looking for. However, my problem is which card to 
get. I have the option of getting an Audigy 1 sound card, which is 
pretty much a revamped Live! card and an Audigy 2 ZS card... And I have 
doubts.

I know they both will stisfy my needs just fine, however the 2 ZS has a 
lot of features that the Audigy 1 lacks, and I would like to know what 
advantages/disadvantages would there be. I know all there is to know 
about about EAX and stuff (been a proud Linux audio user with my Live! 
since late 90s)... So what would be the sound quality difference between 
the three cards (Live! Value, A1 and A2ZS)? Does the A1 support 96/192 
output? How 'bout performance and latency?

I'd appreciate any information, since I'm in position fo buying them 
both, however, the A2ZS runs for about $100 USD more than the A1, and as 
such if many of the features of the 2ZS are Windows-centric, I'll be 
getting the A1, then; but I'd like to have some feedback first.