Re: [Alsa-user] looking for advice on buying a card

[Bill U. <un...@ph...>]

On Sat, 2 May 2009, Dmitri Seletski wrote:

> Bill Unruh wrote:
>> On Sat, 2 May 2009, Dmitri Seletski wrote:
>>
>>> Hello Guys
>>> I am thinking to buy pci express sound card. Nothing fancy, just
>>> something with dolby surround 7.1 and decent sound quality, rather
>>> inexpensive, i am not audiophile.
>>
>> Exactly why do you want 7.1? How do you listen to your soundcard? What
>> do you
>> listen to?
>>
> For watching movies, for playing games, mp3's. I wont notice hughe
> difference in quality i guess. I would like it to be 7.1, since i
> already have 5.1 dolby surround set at home. Creative set of dynamics.
>>>
>>> I have noticed that there are not that many sound cards out there which
>>> have descent support in Linux(unlike many forums claim). I have had
>>
>> You have done a survey?
>>
> A little bit, I attempt not to be ignorant and do my home work. I have
> looked into alsa matrix of sound devices. Asus seems to be most
> promising after Creative Labs. In fact, it appears to have support to
> most up to date sound hardware they offer.
>>
>>
>>> MAJOR problems with pci xfi card from creative labs(fatality gamers
>>> edition), my buddy still has a lot of problem with it, like major issues
>>> with input. No mic - no skype or other voip, you know yourself...
>>
>> Which version of alsa?
> I was using built in modules, but i was trying stable and mercurial set
> several months ago. my best budie has same card and ubuntu version
> 8.*(whatever latest version 8 ubuntu) fails with mic in same way.
> Anyway, i really don't want XFI anymore, i have no pci slot left on my
> pc, so i shall send my card to my other friend this week end.

That is not the alsa version but the operating system version. 
Eg alsactl -v should give you a version number which should be the same as
your alsa version. Now it may be that a more recent version of alsa has better
support.

7.1 sound is an advertising gimmic. You are NOT going to get any better sound
localisation from 7.1 and if you use headphones, than from stereo. Of course
it is a good way of spending money.

You can go and buy the latest oxygen free copper cables as well if you have
money you want to get rid of. Of course send it to the alsa developers would
definitely give you far more for your money.

The only point relevant for your question is that buying an older soundcard
with more time for well developed alsa support is probably a better way to go.


>>
>>>
>>> I have found source of asus xonar dx(namely ebay), it is not that
>>> expensive compared to many other pci express cards out there, still is
>>> expensive enough, from alsa matrix it appears to be quite descent.
>>> Question is, is it worth buying? Is it painful to get it
>>> running?(probably nothing unusual, matter of loading module), does it
>>> work fully(does microphone work, does surround sound 7.1 work?)?
>>> Is there something better for similar money?(EUR 73 or £65 or $97)
>>> Please do not propose incompletely supported cards(while i wouldn't mind
>>> submitting issues to mail lists if i come across bugs, i wouldn't want
>>> product that doesn't work)
>>>
>>> I appreciate any comments.
>>>
>>> Thank you in advance.
>>> Dmitri
>>>
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>>
>

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William G. Unruh   |  Canadian Institute for|     Tel: +1(604)822-3273
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