vetz wrote:It's the same with AWE 64 Value and AWE 64 Gold, very little difference in practice (especially on the AWE64's as very few uses the RAM to load soundfonts when everyone have SC55's)
bad analogy
the AWE64 standard, AWE64 value, and AWE64 Gold all do not use the Vibra16 chip, they use the old style CT1745A DSP, but the AWE64 Gold uses the better "SBP" variant and no amplifier (both of which contribute to the better SNR), gimicky gold plated connectors, RCA audio out instead of 3.5mm mini jack, SPDIF output, and 4MB RAM... AWE64 standard has 1MB, and I believe the value has 512k or no RAM, regular 3.5mm mini jack output, normal tin plated connectors, no SPDIF output
there's a big difference between the vibra16 and SB16... the vibra16 is a smaller form factor, is more integrated, designed and works well as on board audio... because it is a newer design, it also has a better SNR (cleaner audio)... yes, there's no treble and bass control, but people don't really miss that when they have good speakers with discrete EQ controls... yes, it is stripped down and doesn't allow you to upgrade... but if you're going to upgrade nowadays, you wouldn't be because you'll just get a better creative ISA card with the features you want and be done with it... it's not the 90s any more where sound cards were expensive and upgrading was an attractive feature
there are some early vibra16 cards that are non-PnP... those are hard to come by because creative didn't make those for long before jumping on the PnP bandwagon... personally, I prefer to avoid ISA PnP or anything PnP from the 90s for that matter because they are a pain to set up right and there's all sorts of configuration headaches because 95/98 is just stupid dealing with them