Creative Audigy 2

[Bing Fung]

Seems the sound front for PC's are advancing rapidly as well.

24-BIT/192kHz DVD-AUDIO WITH PURE 106 dB SNR FOR PLAYBACK, RECORDING AND 6.1 SURROUND GAMING
With the introduction of the Sound Blaster Audigy 2, Creative has once more raised the bar for PC audio, bringing to you the most definitive audio experience yet!
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 delivers high-quality multi-channel recording and playback at up to 24-bit/96kHz and is the first PC product to offer playback of Advanced Resolution DVD-Audio at an astonishing 24-bit/192kHz with a stunning Signal-to-Noise ratio of 106dB, delivering spectacular audio quality that has now redefined PC audio standards. With EAX Advanced HD, 6.1 speaker support and Dolby Digital EX support, movies and games will be experienced with a breathtaking level of immersion and intensity, while SB1394 allows super-fast transfer of audio to external players.

"The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 not only propels PC audio forward; it drives a new standard of quality for all audio. As we have done many times in the past, Creative has established yet another new platform for the PC with Sound Blaster 24-bit ADVANCED HD™ audio. With the introduction of the Sound Blaster Audigy 2, we are setting an audio standard for the PC that is currently emerging in consumer electronics." - Creative CEO Sim Wong Hoo

Full Story Here




Bing

[Andrew Pratt]

what no THX certification

[JonMarsh]

Well, this could be pretty cool if it all pans out- but their last "24 bit" card wasn't very 24 bit in performance. Decoding 24/192 in stereo with low noise and jitter performance could be an interesting challenge in the PC environment. But if they can do this with good performance, I'd probably be in line for one.

Notice that the SN specs for the center, subwoofer, and rear center outputs aren't especially great- in the 86 to 90 dB range, not 102 or 106.

Unless you do decoding in the card, this isn't much good for HTPC; in most cases, except maybe a bedroom system, you'd want to use an external decoder with SPDIF outputs. And that you can get already at lower costs.

Still, it's a landmark with the first PC based DVD-Audio capabiilty. Let's see how it turns up in the reviews.

Regards,

Jon




Earth First!
_______________________________
We'll screw up the other planets later....

[Bing Fung]

what no THX certification

Andrew, unless you are being sarcastic, it states it is THX certified.

THX®-CERTIFIED
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 is currently the first and only add-in sound card to be THX®-Certified.
Being THX®-Certified means that the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 has passed the most stringent and rigorous audio quality and performance tests set by THX, the audio experts in the movie industry, so you can be assured that the awesome THX audio experience you've enjoyed in the cinema will be reproduced faithfully on your PC.

There is too much RF going on in a PC to ever have Audiophile level of sound :LOL:

I can't wait to get one of these superb specifcations of a card and then listen to my 128kb MP3's




Bing