94-96 are literally "decades" after the series of cards of good reputation I was referring to. Also the amount of problems is related to the market share. Aztech advaned to the worlds greatest or second greatest sound card maker back then.

But hey, btt. I've promised to upload a picture of my AdLib GOLD *wink at Artex* :
Sure it has its marks of use and storage but hey, I was not in the situation to choose between several cards.
I still love how it looks.

The picture has 50% of the possible resolution:

It's not that they weren't game compatible it's that if you wanted to install a network card or various other expansion cards you would run into a million problems and in my experience it was always due to these damned Aztech cards.

Today I got a 900MHz T-Bird Athlon. I'll post pictures when I manage to clean it, but it runs quite well for a $9 CPU! It will be going into a Win9x/ME build that I've been planning for a while.

After testing with a GeForce 4 MX, it can get about 50 fps on the OpenArena timedemo.

What is the little add-on card used for on an Adlib gold?
Also, I wonder how does OPL3 sound from it. I am kinda disappointed in OPL3 quality over OPL2.

Stojke wrote:

What is the little add-on card used for on an Adlib gold?

Stereo/surround module, afik. Only few games (dune only?) use this feature.
I'm looking for a highres pictures of this module, to find is it possible to create replica.

Stojke wrote:

Also, I wonder how does OPL3 sound from it. I am kinda disappointed in OPL3 quality over OPL2.

You can listen/download it here http://www.dosnostalgia.com/?p=542

One can use the surround module for ANY OPL3 output. The speciality with Dune is that the surround sound is individually applied to different extents, suiting the music. So Dune doesn't use it globally like one can do it with AWE32 /64 cards.

Stojke wrote:

..Also, I wonder how does OPL3 sound from it. I am kinda disappointed in OPL3 quality over OPL2.

IMO the OPL3 of the AdLib sounds fantastic even without the module. In fact, to be honest, it is the only OPL3 output I really like. It is crisp and clean and has very well defined heights and depths (but more heights in my ears) that seem to be CUT OFF in all other major cards with this chip (I can not remember any Creative OPL3 card that has so well defined treble and bass). The AdLib also has a Hi Fi hardware mixer that is really worth its name. The TDA8425 provides a special operation mode called "spatial stereo" which gives the output a really nice panorama. It is amazing to listen to.
I know it all reads like a fanboy writing but believe me, I listened to tons of old soundcards and never thought I would be thrilled by a product of a company that filed bankruptcy after its release.
The AdLib GOLD is the perfect example that the "free market" doesn't always benefit the best product 😉

The free market rarely does benefit the best product - it benefits the best cheap product, or the best price/performance product that is easily available.

... and / or the best promoted / advertised product. Well.. that leads to a big discussion.

Got both today.

A sidewinder forcefeedback pro and a compaq joy.

Both look like was never used, but the sidewinder i got without psu.

Only $10

FGB wrote:

One can use the surround module for ANY OPL3 output. The speciality with Dune is that the surround sound is individually applied […]
Show full quote

One can use the surround module for ANY OPL3 output. The speciality with Dune is that the surround sound is individually applied to different extents, suiting the music. So Dune doesn't use it globally like one can do it with AWE32 /64 cards.

Stojke wrote:

..Also, I wonder how does OPL3 sound from it. I am kinda disappointed in OPL3 quality over OPL2.

IMO the OPL3 of the AdLib sounds fantastic even without the module. In fact, to be honest, it is the only OPL3 output I really like. It is crisp and clean and has very well defined heights and depths (but more heights in my ears) that seem to be CUT OFF in all other major cards with this chip (I can not remember any Creative OPL3 card that has so well defined treble and bass). The AdLib also has a Hi Fi hardware mixer that is really worth its name. The TDA8425 provides a special operation mode called "spatial stereo" which gives the output a really nice panorama. It is amazing to listen to.
I know it all reads like a fanboy writing but believe me, I listened to tons of old soundcards and never thought I would be thrilled by a product of a company that filed bankruptcy after its release.
The AdLib GOLD is the perfect example that the "free market" doesn't always benefit the best product 😉

Actually that is what I expected to hear because AdLib was the one that introduced OPL synthesis to the PC.
OPL3 sounds muffled with all the cards I tried (AWE32, SB16, SB PRO2, PAS16, Crystal FM, etc). Even an no name SB1.5 clone sounds amazing with its OPL2.

On the story of bankruptcy, same thing happened to Commodore and Amiga (the best computer of all time).
Seems to be a trend to ruin all thats good 😀

easy_john wrote:

Stereo/surround module, afik. Only few games (dune only?) use this feature.
I'm looking for a highres pictures of this module, to find is it possible to create replica.

That sounds interesting, hardware effects always sound better than crappy software effects.
I've seen that module a few times on the net, even in high res, some people definitely have it.

easy_john wrote:

You can listen/download it here http://www.dosnostalgia.com/?p=542

Thanks!

FGB wrote:

But hey, btt. I've promised to upload a picture of my AdLib GOLD *wink at Artex*

Absolutely beautiful card there Fabian! Thanks for the pic!

Got few soundcards today for free (except gus) from local forum member. I already told you that I'm collecting soundcards? ;)
.
5x awe/sb32, 5x awe64, 7x sb16, 3x vibra16, 2x pas/jazz, gus max, 2x ad-based, 2x ess based, vortex, ess maestro and 2 unknown.

"A few" he says. Nice haul!

What kind of a card is that winbond one?

Stojke wrote:

OPL3 sounds muffled with all the cards I tried (AWE32, SB16, SB PRO2, PAS16, Crystal FM, etc). Even an no name SB1.5 clone sounds amazing with its OPL2.

Ever tried the YMF719...?

Stojke wrote:

What kind of a card is that winbond one?

Looks like it's not a soundcard. It has "vga in", "vga out" and "speaker". May be some kind of fullmotion video accelerator?

jwt27 wrote:

Ever tried the YMF719...?

I have one. The only thing noisier than the card i have is an Airplane 🤣

easy_john wrote:

Stojke wrote:

What kind of a card is that winbond one?

Looks like it's not a soundcard. It has "vga in", "vga out" and "speaker". May be some kind of fullmotion video accelerator?

Yeah that seems more logical.

Were there ever OPN YM2610 sound cards for PC?

Stojke wrote:

jwt27 wrote:

Ever tried the YMF719...?

I have one. The only thing noisier than the card i have is an Airplane 🤣

Mine was too, until I disabled the amplifiers and turned off some stereo enhancements. Now it is a good and quiet card.

I did manage to quiet it down, but it has that bad kind of noise, very unpleasant.

In general or just in OPL playback?