Review of budget sound cards. Choosing a gaming sound card with surround sound support

And any other sound forums. The problem of choosing a high-quality sound source can only be rivaled by the problem of finding suitable speaker systems. And if the “Crystal Sound” comparison is carried out regularly in terms of speakers, then in terms of sound cards we are just beginning our work.

So, what could be easier than asking for advice on a forum? But even if you own one of the sound cards, it’s difficult to give advice on whether it’s worth buying. After all, ease of use and personal preferences are not the main thing here. The main thing in audio devices is sound quality. And it is poorly amenable to objective description and weighing by instruments, especially when the characteristics of the devices have reached the limits of the measuring equipment. What is the way out? The answer can be found, for example, in international recommendations for the examination of high-quality sound devices, recognized by all experts in the world, including us. It is necessary to compare the card with competing products and with the standard. Moreover, this must be done using the correct methodology, which would completely eliminate the expert’s bias. The task is impossible not only for the forum, but also practically impossible for ordinary media. This is a labor-intensive, costly and thankless task - why do it if there are easier ways to create materials? Correct objective examination of audio devices is only possible for leading publications that employ recognized specialists in the field of audio with specialized education who deal with audio on a professional basis.

Thus, we have combined all our 15 years of expertise in this area. But we don’t scare readers with tons of numbers and graphs in order to try to hide behind them, but give only useful information from real life. Brief and to the point.

The Asus Xonar Essence STX sound card is already familiar to our readers from the article by Roman Kuznetsov.

Our editorial video in HD resolution tells about the new product Creative Sound Blaster ZxR (don't forget to click the "Original size" and "Full screen" buttons when viewing):

The main technical characteristics of sound cards that you need to know about:

Creative Sound Blaster ZxRAsus Xonar Essence STX

Signal/noise(according to passport), dB:

124 124

Distortions(according to passport), %

no data>0.0003% (−110 dB)
Line Out DAC TI PCM1794 TI PCM1792A

Signal/Noise DAC(according to passport), dB

127 127
DAC of multi-channel outputsTI PCM1798absent
ADC TI PCM4220Cirrus Logic CS5381
Op-amp NJM2114, LM49710NJM2114, LM4562
HP Amp TI TPA6120A2 TI TPA6120A2
Capacitors Nichicon Fine GoldNichicon Fine Gold
DSP 4-core Creative SoundCore 3DAsus AV100 (C-Media Oxygen)
Exits
LinearRCARCA
Configuration5.1 (additional minijack outputs)stereo
Headphonelarge jack (1/4″ TRS)large jack (1/4″ TRS)
Inputs
LinearRCAlarge jack (1/4″ TRS)
Internal AUXNoThere is
Microphonelarge jack (1/4″ TRS)No
Headset (microphone/earphone)large jack (1/4″ TRS) + mini jacks (1/8″ TRS) on an external wired remote controlinternal HD-Audio connector
Digital interfaces
exitopticelectrical/optical
opticNo
Audio processing
ExitSurround, Crystalizer, Bass, Smart Volume, Dialog PlusDolby Digital Live/Dolby Headphone/Dolby Virtual Speaker/Dolby Pro-Logic II
EntranceCrystalVoice, Noise Reduction, Smart Volume Acoustic Echo Cancellation FX FocusKaraoke, FlexBass, VocalFX
Game supportEAX 5 HD (128 voices)GX 2.5 Game Audio Engine (EAX2.0)
Description link:en.creative.com
Retail price in Moscow:8000 rub.5600 rub.

The Creative Sound Blaster ZxR card costs more, but is better equipped: there are 5.1 outputs, not stereo, and there is an external switching unit with a built-in stereo microphone.

The Asus Xonar Essence STX card appeared significantly earlier than the Creative ZxR. However, audiophile sound cards of this format have always existed. Among Creative cards we can recall Audigy 2 Platinum Pro, X-Fi Elite Pro, X-Fi Titanium HD cards.

The Sound Blaster ZxR is very similar to the X-Fi Titanium HD. For example, I completely adopted the DAC, op-amp and circuit design from this card. However, now Creative is not inferior to Asus in the presence of audiophile attributes: Nichicon Fine Gold, copper ground bus, metal screen, TRS output for Hi-End headphones. The technical effectiveness of these measures is close to zero. Here the manufacturer, rather, followed the expectations of the buyer. The championship in these attributes, however, belongs not to Asus, but to Onkyo cards from many years ago.

Creative Sound Blaster ZxR

This map was presented as a press sample. There may be minor changes in the final product. appearance and functionality. The model will go on sale in May 2013.

Set: main card, daughter card, wired control and switching unit, wires.

The card is the senior model of the new Z line. It is the best product released by Creative to date.

All modern cards, at the suggestion of one of the manufacturers, have a metal screen that is declared as protection against electromagnetic interference. You need to understand that this is purely a publicity stunt: for decades there have been professional boards without a screen, whose characteristics far exceeded those of game cards with screens, and the sound was much clearer to the ear. Moreover, a screen grounded at several points can play the bad role of non-zero mass and become a refuge for stray currents. Not to mention that deterioration of ventilation leads to an increase in thermal noise of semiconductors.

The best protection against interference is the absence of errors in the PCB layout and proper power supply. The screen, meanwhile, makes it much easier to install the card into the case. The risk of mechanical damage to board parts or static electricity discharge is eliminated. Removing the screen in ZxR map It is quite possible and not difficult. Unlike the Asus STX, the Creative card's screen does not contain threaded connections for the mounting plate bolts.

The external unit has parallel “large jack” and “minijack” connectors, which simplifies the connection of expensive headphones for music and computer headsets for Skype and other telephony. The Asus ROG Xonar Phoebus card has a similar external unit, but the card is significantly inferior to the Asus STX in terms of hardware and characteristics, being more comparable in price and features to the Creative Sound Blaster ZX.

On the board, noteworthy are the electromechanical relays for changing the modes of the headphone speakers and for switching the operating modes of the amplifier. This solution is preferable to electronic keys, since the impact on the signal is minimized.

The powerful TI TPA6120A2 headphone amplifier deserves special mention. It appears in both maps under consideration. Its use is completely justified and can only be welcomed. This is the proven most powerful amplifier with record low distortion. Implementing an amplifier using discrete elements will cost much more in terms of the price of components and will certainly increase the cost of development. TI TPA6120A2 multiple operating modes including increased level output voltage for high impedance headphones.

The new Creative map settings panel is made clear and has a choice of Russian and English interfaces. When choosing English language, a higher quality and beautiful corporate font will be used in the interface. Don't forget important setting, related to the headphone output. The 600 Ohm mode can also be set for headphones with an impedance of 250-300 Ohms, if they have low sensitivity.

The 192 kHz mode, which is again screwed to the side, caused complaints about the card. The card has something called Direct Mode, and the chip switches to this mode in a few seconds, with an obvious reconfiguration of the DSP. Hardware effects are not possible in this mode. The measurements are strange and show digital processing. According to information from the manufacturer, since the cards have just appeared on the market, the situation will improve with new drivers.

To be fair, 192 kHz is not a relevant frequency for most users. There are practically no sources of records in this format. The actual operating mode of DAC chips for all modes, be it 44, 48, 96, 192 kHz, is always the same, only the oversampling coefficient changes. In other words, recalculation always exists inside the digital filter of the DAC chip. Devices where the situation is different can be counted on one hand, and they cost completely different money. And since a higher frequency does not provide any advantage, like all games with digital recalculations and filtering, this still remains the lot of experimenters, in most cases operating at the level of self-hypnosis. While a banal, superficial replacement of an acoustic system with a higher-class model gives an incomparably greater return, and immediately and without subtle matters.

Asus Xonar Essence STX

The Asus Xonar Essence STX card has a slightly more attractive price, however, both the equipment and functions of the card are significantly poorer. The card is stereo only, not 5.1. Does not have an external unit with microphones. The card's processor is essentially a stream switcher with a package of Dolby Digital software licenses. There is no hardware processing. Moreover, the AV100 version of the processor is the very first C-Media Oxygen, with a curved internal architecture and a fixed frequency of 48 kHz. Thus, the filling of the card raises numerous questions. A good idea for Asus would be not to sell a product with a relabeled dubious C-Media chip for many years in a row, but to rework it and release a normal one new version. In newer Asus cards, many of the problems were overcome by switching to new model processor. Why this model cannot be remade, refreshed, remains unclear to us.

This card has only two advantages: an excellent DAC and a low price.

The design of the control panel of the Asus card brings us greetings from the last century. The most interesting settings option is the HP Advance Setting tab, additional headphone output settings. There are 3 operating modes, depending on the impedance of the headphones. In more modern maps Asus no longer has such a conglomeration of small elements. It is not clear what prevents you from rewriting the drivers.

Measurements in RMAA

Measurements in RMAA are not able to show the passport characteristics of cards, since in order to obtain a signal-to-noise ratio of 124 dB, a precision set of measuring equipment is required. In addition to this, it doesn’t hurt to have the simplest possible motherboard and a low-power passive power supply. However, where RMAA measurements are great is in instantly identifying flaws and design flaws.

We measured sound cards in RMAA in two computers. In the most powerful PC, packed with various peripherals, including on-board USB 3.0 and FireWire controllers, with great overclocking capabilities, and with a very powerful modern video card, measurements of both cards showed a signal/noise of 110 dB maximum. In another PC the numbers improved to 116 dB. Although a signal-to-noise level of a sound source greater than 100 dB is of no consequence, there is a definite relationship between the level of engineering of a device and the quality of the sound. The fact is that the signal/noise parameter and especially the signal/(noise+distortion) parameter of the DAC chip includes everything, including distortions modulated with the signal, which grow greatly with increasing energy saturation of the phonogram and become very audible. Different models of DAC chips are very well ranked in terms of quality by technical data.

So, Asus STX “distinguished itself” by noticeably increased noise in 44 kHz mode. In itself, this noise does not pose a danger to the listener, since it lies much lower than the TPDF dithering of a 16-bit signal, but it speaks of the legacy of the C-Media Oxigen chip, where there is a problem with 44 kHz support, which is solved by qualitatively recalculating the sampling frequency. For this reason, Asus provides data for its cards only in 48 kHz mode. Unfortunately, this mode is the least interesting for users. Changing the data supplied to the DAC to make life easier for the manufacturer is a simple trick that is a crime in a Hi-End product.

Creative ZxR, in turn, has no problems with frequency conversion in measurements, but has increased harmonic distortion of 0.0018% versus 0.0004% for Asus STX. Moreover, neither the op-amp nor the DAC can explain the nature of the distortion - their nameplate parameters are two orders of magnitude better. Also, measurements show that the ASIO driver on both cards is made rather clumsily. It feels like ASIO was added in a hurry, just for show in the technical specifications. Judging by the measurements, good option for both cards under Windows 7 and 8 is DirectSound. Of course, with the frequency set in the properties of the Windows sound device to 44.1 kHz.

You can download the free version yourself and take your own measurements to identify the best way playback with your sound card and specific OS.

Expert listening

Listenings were carried out with both cards installed in one computer and instantaneous switching between the cards using a passive switch. For acoustics, we included Adam S2.5A studio monitors. The preparation and testing process was carried out with particular care and took several days. All wires and connectors were rechecked, card outputs were measured, all available drivers and different APIs (MME, DirectSound, ASIO) were tried in order to obtain the best measured results.

There were certain concerns that we might not hear the difference between sound cards, since the class of converters of modern sound cards is very high. For testing, we used professional sound cards based on CS4398 - E-MU1616M and LynxStudio Aurora 8. Fortunately, a serious approach yielded good results, and our fears were in vain - the difference between all cards is clearly audible on any musical composition. Moreover, a number of sound features have emerged that make the Creative Sound Blaster ZxR and Asus Xonar Essence STX very similar.

The sound of both game cards is very high level and close to professional devices of the highest category. The E-MU1616M and LynxStudio Aurora 8 provide similar, denser, more spectral sound. The Creative Sound Blaster ZxR and Asus Xonar Essence STX sound with a slightly larger stereo panorama and are a little empty, but there is no timbral distortion or coloration in the sound. It is worth noting the attack and detail of the sound that captivates the listener, especially at high frequencies.

Are there any differences between Creative Sound Blaster ZxR and Asus Xonar Essence STX? The differences between the cards are small. Asus Xonar Essence STX has an advantage in sound, giving a little more detail. The difference is clearly revealed in double-blind testing, when an expert in a series of experiments indicates a more preferable device. We went further and tried to identify the relationship between sound quality and the selected sound API. The results are completely consistent with the RMAA data: the standard MME interface sounds the least advantageous. And the most terrible metamorphoses with sound are performed by the mode when the frequency of the file 44 kHz differs from the frequency of the Windows device, for example 48 kHz. This setting is located on the tab Additional/Format default.

For the headphone test, we took Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 Ohm and Sennheiser HD600. We didn't hear any difference in quality. Both sound cards - the Creative Sound Blaster ZxR and the Asus Xonar Essence STX - sound great: they produce very good, full-fledged sound with a large volume reserve. In most situations, setting the volume knob to 40-50% is enough. And if the Sennheiser HD600 are more universal headphones, with good sensitivity, and therefore less capricious to the sound source, then the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro sound quite inexpressive and quiet with a regular headphone output, and when you try to increase the gain, the sound still does not become full. Beyerdynamic requires increased voltage, and this is done specifically to extract the most undistorted sound from the structure, that is, from this membrane and the entire moving system. Hi-End headphone models with an impedance of 600 Ohms are twice as demanding in terms of voltage swing and headphone output power as 300 Ohm models. The headphone output requirements for high-impedance and low-impedance models conflict. That is why manufacturers have to either make different amplifier models, or install two separate outputs, or provide an impedance switch. The latter option is implemented in the tested Creative Sound Blaster ZxR and Asus Xonar Essence STX cards.

Conclusions

Both Creative Sound Blaster ZxR and Asus Xonar Essence STX sound cards leave the impression of the manufacturing companies' first steps in the unusual category of Hi-End devices. These steps are clearly not completed. Some have succeeded, some have not yet succeeded.

As Asus and other manufacturers squeeze out, Creative is starting to lose the market. After the failure with Recon3D there is no time for jokes at all. Creative stops listening exclusively to its marketing “specialists”, seriously studies competitors’ products, collects user opinions and goes all-in. X-Fi production was completely discontinued a year ago, the page has been turned. In the new, full-fledged Sound Blaster series, starting with the lowest Z card, normal sound comes straight away. Sound Blaster ZxR is the quintessence of all Creative's capabilities, an attempt to combine the best: hardware effects, the needs of the average user and an uncompromising Hi-End ideology. Moreover, in a product that will still be affordable and will appeal to the mass market. According to reviews from the first mass owners of the new cards, sometimes people not even of the audiophile persuasion, the majority of buyers quite feel a significant increase in sound quality in headphones and speakers. This is precisely what explains the success of the Asus Xonar Essence STX. Users forgive all the shortcomings and clumsiness of this card just for the sake of high-quality sound in speakers and headphones. Although the Creative Sound Blaster ZxR has not yet succeeded in completely throwing the Asus Xonar Essence STX off its throne, Asus’ position at the current historical moment has become very weak. In practice, the choice in favor of Asus can be made only because of the slightly older model of the TI PCM1792A DAC chip, in order to have psychological confidence that the sound on high-end speaker systems will be a little better. Otherwise, the Creative card claims to be a leader, since it is superior to its competitor in everything, including due to the novelty of the model. Although Asus also has new card models, they are not interesting in this test due to their obviously worse sound.

Both cards - the Creative Sound Blaster ZxR and the Asus Xonar Essence STX - have design flaws that do not allow us to award the “Leader of the Class” award to any of the contenders. We advise manufacturers to stop adding external attributes in an attempt to outdo each other with the length of specifications, and start fine-tuning the existing functions.

Good afternoon, dear ladies and gentlemen. Today we will talk about how to choose a good sound card for a computer or laptop. It would seem that such a simple device, and there are many different models on the market, you can just take and install the first one you come across. However, in reality it is not so simple. The problem of this choice primarily faces those who often listen to music, like to watch movies via a PC, or play 3D games. The best sound card is capable of transmitting a high-quality signal without problems, but which one is actually the best, let's take a closer look.

What should you pay attention to first?

Everyone knows that most modern motherboards contain an integrated good sound card. It is quite suitable for everyday use for those people who do not need high-quality sound. Of course, if a person wants to completely immerse himself in the world of sound effects, then not even the coolest integrated sound card will allow him to do this. Here it is necessary to talk about external devices of this type. It is common knowledge that DTS Digital Surround and Dolby Digital are standards that will allow you to watch movies in surround sound. If even an inexpensive sound card has the ability to read these standards, it will allow you to watch movies with a minimum amount of noise and sound distortion. This is very important in order to achieve the effect of presence when watching a film. The presence of the EAX ADVANCED HD standard allows you to get surround sound in the most advanced games.

Standard EAX ADVANCED HD

Thanks to this component, all the sounds that will come from the speakers will become much more realistic. Both analog and digital inputs may be present here. The first one almost always works with interference, which is almost impossible to eliminate due to its design features. Digital input eliminates their formation almost one hundred percent. You should always keep this in mind when it comes to choosing a great sound card. It is worth noting the fact that some integrated systems have connectors for high-frequency signal transmission, and it is these that are recommended for use. The amount of interference in this case will be minimal.

Type

Another problem that every person who decides to purchase a popular sound card will have to face is its type. However, the choice in this case is not great. There are two types of devices - external and internal.

Domestic

The second type should not be confused with integrated. Almost any budget sound card is connected inside the system unit into a PCI slot. It takes up minimal space and does not contain any additional wires. A very convenient option that most people use.

External

The external version of the device also has a right to exist. This is a separate node that is installed outside the personal computer. It is worth noting the fact that it has relatively small geometric dimensions, so it does not create any additional interference during operation. On external map may be located large number various conclusions, which significantly expands it functionality. However, it is the only possible option for connecting a 5.1 system to a laptop. It is she who is the connecting link between him and the sound system.

Functionality

All modern sound cards are divided into certain types depending on their functionality. Any device must have at least 8 connectors, each of which performs a specific function. These include: a connector for connecting to an external device, that is, a computer or laptop, output to the front, rear speakers, center channel, microphone, headphones, line channel, as well as a number of additional connectors that may be useful for one way or another.

Sound card connectors

Of course, the functionality of good sound cards depends on what they will be used for. For everyday conditions, the three types of cards that were listed above will be quite sufficient. If we are talking about a professional musician’s computer, then you should think about the possibility of connecting additional devices and the high quality of production of the board itself. Of course, this cannot but affect the cost of the device. In terms of the price-quality ratio of a sound card, for a person who just listens to music and watches movies, an option that has high-quality connectors of the above types is suitable.

Sound card for musician

And for musicians, high-quality sound cards are created that are quite expensive. You can find a huge amount of information about such devices on specialized resources on the Internet. The forum about sound cards will tell a novice musician which specific option to pay attention to when purchasing. We bring to the attention of our dear readers a small rating of inexpensive but high-quality sound cards for computers.

Rating of the best sound cards for a computer

Here's a summary of everything you should pay attention to when buying a sound card. And one more piece of advice: after you have decided on the card model, it will not be superfluous to read reviews of its real owners on thematic forums. Don’t forget to check out Youtube, there are video reviews of maps there. And now I present to your attention a small rating of the best internal sound cards in the inexpensive segment.

ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3

Internal sound card ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 with connection type – PCI-E, has p bit depth of DAC and ADC –24 bit and o signal-to-noise ratio of DAC and ADC –120 dB. The maximum frequency of stereo DAC, multichannel DAC and ADC is 192 kHz. The card has 4 analog inputs and 4 analog outputs. In addition, it has an optical input, coaxial output and HDMI 1.3 – output/output. The device supports standards: EAX – v. 2, ASIO-v. 2.0 and OpenAL. According to reviews, this is a wonderful sound card for watching movies with a 7.1 audio system.

ASUS Xonar DG

The internal sound card ASUS Xonar DG with connection type – PCI 2.2, has the ability to output multi-channel audio. The card has a 24-bit DAC with a maximum stereo frequency of 96 kHz. The device has an optical output, 4 analog inputs, 6 analog output channels and 3 analog output connectors. The model produces clear and surround sound, supports EAX – v. standards. 2 and ASIO v. 2.0. According to reviews, this is one of the best sound cards for listening to music through headphones. Device owners on forums recommend installing drivers not from the disk. but from the Internet.

ASUS Xonar DGX

The internal sound card ASUS Xonar DGX with connection type – PCI-E, has the ability to output multi-channel audio. The card has a 24-bit DAC with a maximum stereo frequency of 96 kHz. The device has an optical output, 2 analog inputs, 6 analog output channels, 3 analog output connectors and a connector for connecting to the front panel of a PC. The model supports the standard – EAX v. 5. To connect it, you need a PCI-Express slot on the motherboard. The card itself has a 7-pin (2 by 4 and one empty) output, where plugs are attached for output to the front panel, headphones and microphone. The card understands that if you insert headphones in front, the speakers in the back are turned off. Card owners recommend downloading drivers for the card from the Asus website, and not from a disk. The model has a high-quality separate headphone amplifier.

Creative Recon3D PCIe

The internal Creative Recon3D PCIe sound card with connection type – PCI-E has the ability to output multi-channel audio. The card has a 24-bit DAC with a maximum stereo frequency of 96 kHz. The device has an optical input/output, 4 analog inputs, 6 analog output channels, a connector for connecting to the front panel of a PC, 3 analog output connectors and an independent headphone output connector. The model supports standards – EAX v. 2 and OpenAL . The card has flexible configuration from Windows, and according to reviews, it has proven itself to be excellent for soundtracking 3D games, amazing with the quality of sound effects. She behaves similarly when watching movies. Playing music with a card through any Hi-Fi headphones under $200 reveals their full potential.

Updated: 07/16/2018 17:21:43


*Review of the best sites according to the editors. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

The sound card in the computer converts the digital signal to analog. The first is files. Collections of songs in MP3, FLAC and other formats; audio stream from streaming services; system sound notifications and everything else. An analog signal is necessary for the operation of the connected speakers and is simply a current with a certain frequency and amplitude.

Usually sound cards are already integrated into the motherboard. But such devices are definitely not suitable for audiophiles, owners of home studios, or simply those who want to connect more than one speaker to their computer.

Rating of the best sound cards

Nomination place product name price
Best Budget Sound Cards 1 RUR 5,137
2 4,080 RUR
3 RUR 2,549
The best internal sound cards in terms of price-quality ratio 1 14,830 RUR
2 5 650 ₽
3 9,599 RUR
4 6,895 RUR
The best inexpensive external sound cards 1 RUR 7,591
2 6,675 RUR
3 5,920 ₽
Best External Premium Sound Cards 1 93,028 RUR
2 RUB 27,680
3 RUB 22,390

Best Budget Sound Cards

Why first place: Suitable for a 7.1 audio system and has a good DAC.

For whom: Owners of media systems, home studios.

Description: This sound card is a good solution for both playing and recording music. It is equipped with 24-bit DAC and ADC that support 192 kHz decoding. In addition, thanks to the well-designed placement of elements on the board, the sound card has a signal-to-noise ratio of 112 dB.

The board has four output connectors, two channels each. Peripheral equipment can also be connected via an optical interface. There is also a microphone input, which is also two-channel. Additionally, the sound card supports the ASIO v. software interface. 2.0.

Advantages

    DAC and ADC of the same level;

    Features transparent sound;

    The equalizer is configured via the bundled software;

Flaws

    To work with Windows 10 you will need an unofficial driver;

    The amplifier cannot cope with high-impedance headphones;

    Additional external power will be required for adequate operation;

Why second place: Lower SNR value than the leader of the rating.

For whom: Gamers and home studio owners, since the device is equipped with two analog inputs.

Description: This sound card is designed for both playback and recording. For high-quality audio output, it is equipped with a 24-bit DAC with a maximum clock frequency when converting two-channel audio to 192 kHz. For recording, it is equipped with two analog (two-channel) inputs and a separate ADC. In addition, the device has a discrete headphone amplifier that can drive even 600-ohm speakers. The board design provides a signal-to-noise ratio of 106 dB.

Separately, it is worth mentioning that it supports audio virtualization technology in gameplay EAX v.4.

Advantages

    Possibility of detailed sound customization;

    Discrete headphone amplifier;

    Sound virtualization in computer games;

Flaws

    Minor delays in the ASIO interface;

    There is no color differentiation of connectors;

    Complex driver setup;

Why third place: Only two analog connectors for connecting peripheral equipment.

For whom: Owners of Hi-End speakers or headphones, people with a TV connected to a computer.

Description: This is one of the cheapest Hi-End sound cards. The proprietary 24-bit DAC of the 1796 model is capable of operating at a clock frequency of 192 kHz even with multi-stream playback. The design of the sound card provides a signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB.

The sound card is equipped with a special chip to improve digital sound over HDMI, but this requires communication with a compatible HDMI receiver. The sound card driver emulates EAX v.5 for surround sound in games.

Advantages

    Low price with high quality;

    Well distributes surround sound across channels;

    Stable software;

Flaws

    No discrete headphone amplifier;

    On some configurations, the driver does not change the sampling rate automatically;

    Doesn't improve the digital signal via HDMI well enough;

The best internal sound cards in terms of price-quality ratio

Why first place: Supports Windows 10, full 7.1 sound.

For whom: For users of audio systems with amplifiers or Hi-End headphones.

Description: This sound card is intended for beginning music lovers with middle or “top-middle” class equipment. Its design includes 24-bit DACs and ADCs, proprietary Muses amplifiers and Cirrus Logic chips for high-quality sound. Thanks to the discretized wiring on the board, a signal-to-noise ratio of 124 dB is ensured.

The board design includes four two-channel analog outputs with a 6.3 mm connector, one input and one coaxial port for digital equipment. Recommended for use with external MOLEX power supply.

Advantages

    Discrete amplifier for high-impedance headphones;

    Convenient driver and configuration software;

    Discretized wiring without crosstalk;

Flaws

    A 6.5 mm connector is used to connect equipment;

    Heats up noticeably;

    Needs additional nutrition;

Why second place: Focus not on hardware, but on proprietary technologies, and a lower signal-to-noise ratio than the leader in the rating.

For whom: Users of medium and budget equipment, owners of home studios.

Description: In this sound card, the main focus is on proprietary sound technologies. Thus, SBX Pro Studio is responsible for surround audio effects; CrystalVoice improves voice capture, including when communicating in audio chats; Dolby and DTS create surround and rich sound. To process the digital stream, a proprietary 24-bit Sound Core3D chip with a maximum stereo frequency of 192 kHz is used. The arrangement of the elements on the board provides a signal-to-noise ratio of 116 dB.

The card design includes three analog outputs and one input, each two-channel. Supports surround sound technology in EAX v.5 games.

Advantages

    There is a separate headphone amplifier that drives high-impedance models;

    The included software configures all sound parameters;

    The package includes a directional microphone with noise reduction;

Flaws

    Bright, eye-catching lighting;

    The driver does not communicate with other software on the computer;

    Outdated Recoon3D chip;

Why third place: The card is designed for sound recording, not playback.

For whom: Owners of home and semi-professional studios.

Description: This sound card is equipped with a powerful 24-bit 96 kHz ADC, which ensures clear and detailed sound recording. A separate 24-bit 192 kHz DAC is used for playback. Both chips, thanks to the discretized on-board layout, provide a signal-to-noise ratio of 108 dB and a similar dynamic range.

The chip for processing input audio is equipped with support for phantom power, which allows you to connect studio-grade microphones to it. In addition, there is a balanced input channel.

Advantages

    Does an excellent job of recording instruments;

    Simple and intuitive control via bundled software;

    Built-in instrument preamplifier;

Flaws

    Inadequate operation of drivers with some operating systems;

    There is no separate MIDI port;

    No full XLR support;

Why fourth place: There is no headphone amplifier - but it is cheaper than other models in the rating.

For whom: For owners of Audio-CD collections and home users.

Description: This card is suitable for turning your home computer into a multimedia center. The device is equipped with a 24-bit DAC with a maximum multi-channel clock frequency of 192 kHz. Dolby and DTS technologies are supported, creating surround sound in films and music.

Special sampled wiring creates a signal-to-noise ratio of 118 dB. Dolby effects for headphones and virtual speakers are supported. And ALT technology creates a legal copy of DRM-protected materials for digitizing CDs.

Advantages

    Clean, unenhanced sound;

    Powerful built-in chips;

    Suitable for connecting 7.1 stereo systems;

Flaws

    Limited software compatibility with modern operating systems;

    There is no automatic determination of the number of channels of the reproduced sound;

    Not very good for audio recording;

The best inexpensive external sound cards

Why first place: 7.1 support, Dolby and discrete headphone amplifier.

For whom: For gamers and those who want to create a home media center.

Description: This card is suitable for creating a home media center based on a multimedia or gaming computer. It is equipped with a 24-bit Cirrus Logic DAC with a maximum clock frequency of 192 kHz and supports connection to a 7.1 stereo system. It also includes a discrete headphone amplifier. The sound card supports Dolby technologies (Home Theater v4 edition) and has a signal-to-noise ratio of 114 dB.

Separately, the sound card is equipped with a sensitivity level control for the connected microphone. There is also a special dial for adjusting the playback volume.

Advantages

    Convenient design with control elements;

    Support for Dolby technologies;

    Open, transparent sound;

Flaws

    Not very durable;

    Does not work well with alternative operating systems;

Why second place: Outputs – only unbalanced linear and for headphones. But this is a map and not for playback.

For whom: For musicians and home studio owners.

Description: Unlike the previous model in the rating, this sound card is intended exclusively for recording music. Of course, you can connect a stereo system to it via a line output, and headphones via a 3.5 mm jack, but using it for playback will be a waste of money.

The sound card is designed for recording. To achieve this, it is equipped with a balanced microphone input with support for phantom power up to +48 V and a preamplifier. There is also an unbalanced HI-Z input for connecting an electric guitar.

The chip is 24-bit with a maximum clock frequency of 192 kHz.

Advantages

    Ideal for recording instruments;

    Good sound;

    Russified Cubase AI included;

Flaws

    The phantom power switch is inconveniently located;

    Noisy at high gain;

    Few indicators;

For whom: For those who want to create a home media center and owners of vinyl players.

Description: This sound card is designed specifically for quick and easy deployment of a home media center. It, like other models from Creative Sound, supports SBX Pro Studio spatial playback technology, which provides realistic and high-quality sound. In addition, this sound card is equipped with a headphone amplifier, thanks to which you can connect high-impedance models to it; and a phono stage for connection with a vinyl player.

Built-in 24-bit DAC/ADC have a maximum clock frequency of 96 kHz, and the sound card design itself provides a signal-to-noise ratio of 114 dB.

Advantages

    Convenient design;

    Supports optical connection (input and output);

    Easy connection;

Flaws

    Unsuccessful software with a poorly designed equalizer;

    No support for Hi-Res audio;

    Overprice;

Best External Premium Sound Cards

Why first place: Sound card of studio or even concert level.

For whom: For owners of semi-professional, professional studios, concert venues.

Description: Up to 36 channels can be connected to this audio interface simultaneously - 18 input and output. All of them support ASIO Direct Monitoring mode. Input channels can be recorded individually.

The installed 24-bit DAC/ADC operate at a clock frequency of 192 kHz (Hi-Res audio) and have a dynamic range of 114 dBA. The delay is a fraction of milliseconds, which allows you to work in real time.

Why second place: Compact and functional audio receiver, but with a lower DAC frequency than the leader in the rating.

For whom: For those who want to create a full-fledged media center at home.

Description: This is not exactly a sound card. It is rather a full-fledged audio receiver that can receive signals not only from a computer, but also from mobile devices. A 24-bit DAC with a conversion frequency in stereo mode of 192 kHz (with multi-channel audio it drops) and a signal-to-noise ratio of 127 dB is responsible for converting the stream.

The audio receiver is equipped with two built-in 35-watt amplifiers and support for Dolby Digital technology. The device has two independent microphone connectors with preamplifiers, so you can connect high-impedance models to it.

USB is used for communication with the computer and power supply. The incoming signal can come via both analog and optical digital interfaces.

Advantages

    Built-in amplifiers for speakers and headphones;

    Hi-Fi level components;

    Working in audio receiver mode;

Flaws

    Unstable operation of Windows drivers;

    High frequencies are not clear enough;

    There is no full 7.1 and no DTS;

Why third place: Minimum connectors, but ultra-compact.

For whom: For home use.

Description: This is one of the smallest audio interfaces in the rating. Unfortunately, due to its compact size, it has a small number of connectors. Input interface – USB only. But this sound card is equipped with a proprietary Hi-Res chip – 32-bit, with a maximum clock frequency of 352.8 kHz! The dynamic range is 115 dB.

It is also equipped with two output connectors. The first is for headphones, with a separate amplifier. The second is linear, to which you can connect another pair of headphones.

In addition, the audio interface supports ASIO, DSD (including playback without conversion) and Core Audio technologies.

Advantages

    Works in DAW;

    Ultra-compact sizes;

    Natural, natural sound;

Flaws

    Relatively high price;

    Weak amplifier for studio-grade high-impedance headphones;

    Few connectors;


Attention! This rating is subjective in nature, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Your audio interface is a dark knight, silently doing important work. Here's a list of some of the best new sound cards of the year that certainly turned heads. It's up to you to decide which one to choose and whether they are worth the money!

As representatives say: “The new Crimson 3 now comes with an SPL Phonitor Matrix and a built-in Talkback microphone. The card is great for when it is not possible to fully work with studio monitors.”

Peculiarities:
  • 16 Entries
  • 6 recording channels (24 bit / 192 kHz)
  • 2 high quality discrete mic preamps
  • 4 balanced line inputs
  • MIDI I/O
  • 2 headphone outputs
  • Monitor Matrix (NEW)
  • Talkback Mic (NEW)
  • Monitor controller Knob
  • Performer Mode
  • Analog real-time monitoring
  • Playback and monitoring without DAW (standalone)
  • Class 2.0 compatible for recording/monitoring iOS device
  • Operating voltage 34 V for professional levels up to +22 dB
  • Increasing performance levels for consumer electronics
  • Very low jitter due to FMCTM (Fixed-Master-Clock)
  • High speed USB channel
  • Windows XP/7/8/10, Mac OS X 10.6 or higher, iOS 6 or higher

The new Onyx Artist 1.2 and Producer 2.2 sound cards are even better than their predecessors! Both units offer quality Onyx mic preamps, zero-latency direct monitoring, 48B phantom power, and 1/4-inch monitor and headphone outputs. With the Artist 1.2, you get one mic preamp and 1/4 line input, while the Producer 2.2 gives you two mic inputs on XLR/TRS combos with Hi-Z fixture switches, plus the benefit of MIDI I/O. Both interfaces come with full version T7 DAW and DAW Essentials packages

Peculiarities:
  • Two high-quality Onyx microphone preamps
  • XLR/TRS combo inputs accept mic, line and instrument sources
  • Hi-Z switch per channel
  • +48V phantom power for use with studio condenser microphones
  • Recording from high resolution at 24-bit/192 kHz
  • Direct monitoring of analog inputs with zero latency
  • Dedicated 1/4 TRS outputs for connecting monitors
  • MIDI I/O for connecting synthesizers, controllers, etc.
  • Powerful headphone output
  • USB bus powered for easy mobile recording without the need for a power adapter
  • Rugged built-in A-Tank design
  • Included free software from
  • Compatible with all major DAWs

Average price: $140 for Artist 1.2 and $210 for Producer 2.2

Roland has updated its line of audio interfaces with the introduction of the new Rubix range. These three products are compatible with all operating systems.

As you'd expect, the Rubix22 is a 2-in/2-out model, while the Rubix24 adds several extra outputs and a built-in compressor/limiter. If you need two more inputs, then you can choose Rubix44.

“We promise low noise on all interfaces, with support for upscaling up to 24bit/192kHz. The indicators show whether there is a good signal or whether it is overloaded, while the compact dimensions allow the device to be placed on any surface.”

Features of Roland Rubix22, Rubix24, Rubix44:
  • 2-input/2-output (Rubix44 has 4 inputs and 4 outputs)
  • 2 low noise mic preamps with XLR combo connectors
  • Hi-Z input for guitar and other high impedance sources
  • Midi In and Out
  • Wide screen, low noise design
  • Durable metal construction
  • Easy to read indicators
  • Low latency and compatible drivers
  • Enabled free version Ableton Live Lite

Prices: from $170 to $500 for Rubix44

Apogee Element 46

The Thunderbolt protocol has proven itself in audio recording and playback, while the battle between manufacturers is increasing. To compete with Universal Audio's Apollo products, Focusrite's Clarett series and MOTU's 828X have seen significant growth, but have not yet surpassed the Apogee series. These products have three separate models in the form of Element 24, 46 and 88. The numbers symbolize the number of connected analog inputs and outputs.

It's an impressive product, beautifully designed and intuitive to use, especially if you're a Logic Pro user.

Pros:
  • Great sound quality and conversion.
  • The software is perfectly customized and very flexible
Cons:
  • No rack mount kit available.

We highlighted this sound card in the top for 2016, but as you can see, its specifications, quality and price category are difficult to jump over, so this line occupies a confident place in 2017!

Antelope Audio has released a new interface that runs on Thunderbolt and USB with 26 inputs and 32 outputs. It is equipped with 8 “console class” microphone preamps.

As its name suggests, the Discrete 8 has eight analog inputs (A1 through A8), eight analog outputs (on a standard 25-pin D-SUB connector), a pair of monitor outputs, and a pair of headphone outputs.

Discrete 8 is available both stand-alone and assembled with special microphones designed specifically for the Antelope Audio series of cards. Prices start from 1300 euros for the minimum set.

Less than six months after releasing the Quantum Thunderbolt audio interface, PreSonus has unveiled the . It complements rather than replaces its brother and has fewer inputs and outputs.

22 inputs and 24 outputs on Quantum 2, using the Thunderbolt 2 bus and 24-bit/192 kHz extension. Built-in 2 microphone/instrument combo inputs with XMAX digital control and +48V phantom power.

Quantum 2 integrates tightly with the included Studio One Artist DAW. Also included is the Magic Plug-in Suite for mixing music.

The cost of a sound card starts at $700.

Fireface UFX+ becomes the center of any recording studio and it can be safely noted that their products directly compete with sound cards from Apogee. The card from RME is packed with many useful features that raise the bar to a high level.

The card's connectivity flexibility is unmatched: Analog, ADAT, MADI, AES, SPDIF. USB 2, USB 3 and Thunderbolt technology are standard on the Fireface UFX+. There is also an impressive number of channels: 12 analogue + 16 ADAT + 2 AES + 64 MADI = 94 input channels + outputs = 188 channels.

New AD/DA converters, optimized analog circuitry and improved SNR and THD ensure crystal clear and transparent sound. Of course, for all this you will have to pay a hefty sum. Distributors' prices start from

Peculiarities:
  • 94 inputs / 94 outputs
  • 12 analog I/O
  • 4 x Mic/Instrument Preamp, digitally controlled
  • 1 x AES/EBU I/O
  • 2 x ADAT I/O (or 1 x ADAT I/O + 1 x SPDIF I/O optical)
  • 1 x Word Clock I/O/MADI
  • 1 x optical MADI I/O
  • 2 x MIDI I/O
  • 1 x Thunderbolt connection
  • 1 x USB 3.0
  • TotalMix FX
  • Advanced Remote Control

AudioFuse was first announced back in January 2015, and remains an attractive portable interface with plenty of features.

The AudioFuse sound card is available in three different color configurations: Deep Black, Space Gray and Classic Silver. Despite its compact form, the device has many connectivity options. On the front side you will find combo headphone inputs. In turn, they can be connected either with a mini-jack or with a 1/4 connector. On the rear panel there are outputs for monitors, MIDI connections and for S/P-DIF, ADAT.

AudioFuse is a plug-and-play interface that does not require a special driver, but does require downloading software Control Center, which acts as a bridge between the interface and your DAW of choice.

The only problem with this audio interface is its cost. Other products with approximately the same capabilities are available at significantly lower prices. The price from distributors starts from $650.

Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII

The Apollo Twin is a good, lower-cost alternative to the Apollo 8 and 16, giving you access to those mythical preamps from Unison, and the awesome UAD plugins that the company often gives away for free (as a gift with purchase).

The new Apollo Twin MkII has received minor improvements and an additional DSP update. However, the interface remained in desktop format, with the ability to operate at 24 bit / 192 kHz. The connection is via Thunderbolt and requires external power.

In 2017, there were no major breakthroughs among new sound cards. Companies are updating their previous lines to meet standards, adding free software, increasing the signal transmission speed and quality of converters. We believe that in 2018 something incredibly disruptive and unlike anything awaits us!

It is difficult to imagine a modern computer or laptop without the ability to listen to music or watch movies. The sound card for the computer is responsible for sound reproduction. How to choose (tips will be given a little later) and what to look for when buying such a device? Read on about this and much more.

Sound card for a computer: how to choose?

First of all, any user faced with a similar problem, first of all, should start from personal considerations and the area of ​​​​use of the sound system. Today, the use of such devices is no longer limited to high-quality reproduction of music or a track in a video or film.

With development gaming industry The requirements for sound cards have increased incredibly, and they themselves began to offer the user much more opportunities in terms of the same surround sound reproduction or special effects that can immerse the gamer in the gameplay, creating a completely realistic atmosphere of what is happening.

The same applies to the direction that involves creating and recording music at home or in a professional studio. Here the requirements are even higher, and the cards themselves are much more expensive. Therefore, when deciding which sound card to choose for a computer, you should proceed from precisely these considerations. Next, we will consider some aspects that influence the choice of a chip of one type or another, with an analysis of the main capabilities and characteristics of several of the most popular sound chips.

Sound card for a computer: how to choose? Characteristics

In any case, the very first parameter is high-quality sound reproduction without distortion or unwanted side effects. Typically, most devices use either analog or digital inputs. The former can create additional interference when reproducing sound through an acoustic system (speakers or speakers), while the latter almost completely eliminate their occurrence.

In most cases, crystal clear sound can only be achieved if you have an S/PDIF interface for connecting the speaker system through the appropriate connector.

However, according to many professional musicians, digital devices, although they produce clear sound without distortion, nevertheless, they lack the so-called analog warmth, which adds realism to any music track, which is quite difficult to achieve on digital devices.

The second point is related to the frequency range that the sound card for the computer itself can produce. How to choose a device based on these considerations? You just need to pay attention to the lower and upper frequency limits. The lower limit is usually 16 Hz (followed by infrasound, which is not perceptible to the human ear), and the upper limit is 18-22 kHz (above is ultrasound, which humans also cannot hear). However, today you can find devices capable of reproducing 22 and even 24 kHz, but they are practically not used in everyday life.

Finally, if most modern sound cards support Dolby Digital and DTS Dolby Surround standards, cards for games must support EAX v.X technology or the same standard in the form of Advanced HD, without which it is simply impossible to achieve realistic sound in gameplay. It’s worth saying separately that buying cards with support for 5+1 (7+1) if you have regular stereo speakers at home is absolutely impractical.

As for the main types of sound cards offered on the market, they can be divided into integrated (built into motherboards), internal (connected via PCI slots) and external.

They all have very different characteristics and quite different principles of operation and connection. But external devices of this type have the advantage that they can have built-in memory, and due to the absence of size restrictions, they can have a larger number of connectors.

In addition, internal and integrated cards can be exposed to electromagnetic radiation and the interference it creates, while external devices are almost completely immune from this. Finally, using external sound cards is the only solution to improve sound quality and connect 5+1 speakers to laptops.

Sound cards for everyday work

However, in everyday life, when you will only listen to audio tracks or watch videos, and sound quality is not a priority, an integrated sound card for a computer can be used. How to choose such a device? Actually, you don’t need to choose it. It is already built into the motherboard. Another thing is replacing the chip.

The most common are WDM-type devices (for example, Realtek) with High Definition Audio drivers. Therefore, any chip of this kind will do here.

If you require increased quality using surround sound systems, you will have to solve the problem of how to choose a sound card for a 5.1 computer. Most experts consider the purchase of an Audigy Fx PCI device (Sound Blaster line from Creative), which has decent characteristics and a fairly low cost, to be the optimal purchase.

Inexpensive sound chips for gamers

It's not that simple with games. The main emphasis when choosing a device is on the availability of support for EAX v.X and OpenAL technologies.

Judging by the reviews of gamers, the following are considered the most popular and relatively inexpensive models of sound chips in this series:

  • ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3/DG/DGX/DS.
  • Recon3D PCIe from Creative.
  • Audigy Fx (again from Creative), etc.

All these devices reproduce multi-channel audio, are equipped with 24-bit DACs, and the sampling rate in stereo mode is 96-192 kHz. You can, of course, stop at 192 kHz, but this is not necessary, since the difference will not be discernible by ear.

What should a musician choose?

Musicians also need a sound card for their computer like air. How to choose a chip? You need to proceed from what the device will be used for. Any simple chip will be suitable for recording music from a MIDI keyboard, even at the level of outdated cards with Wavetable support like Yamaha WDM.

To work with sequencers, it is better to use cards like Terratec or the same Audigy card, but a prerequisite is support for the previously used Full Duplex standard and modern ASIO drivers.

But to record live instruments in studios, an external sound card for the computer must be used. How to choose a device of this type?

You can refer to the list of the most popular and sought-after sound cards, which was compiled based on reviews from musicians and sound engineers themselves:

  • Focusrite Scarlett Solo/2i2/2i4/6i6/18i8.
  • M-Audio M-Track II.
  • Tascam US-366.
  • PreSonus AudioBox USB.
  • Roland UA-55 Quad-Capture.
  • BEHRINGER U-PHORIA UMC202 and others.
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