I'd say we need more details on those cards. Maybe throw in some pictures?

Here they are.

Ive got 1 CX4236, 2x CS4231A and 2x CS4232

4236 from my experience has true OPL, unlike CS4232 that sounds like sh*t.
Plus IBM 380ED has CS4236 and it sounds amazing.

Theoretically, that Aztech Sound Galaxy Pro 16 II ( AZT2316R + CS4231A-KL + OPL3 + WBH) is the most versatile one-card solution. SB Pro, Adlib, WSS compatible with a working WB header. Regarding sound quality - your mileage may vary depending on the actual cards.

ok the 1st 4231 has no yamaha chip.
the 2nd aztech with 4231 does have a opl3 yamaha chip
the 1st 4232 does have a yamaha opl3 chip.
The 2nd 4232 does not have a yamaha chip, there is this LS-212 chip thing would this be a remarked yamaha chip or would it purpose be the ide interface?

Also found a other crystal CS4236 card from scraps today and had to do some soldering at work to fix the broken tracks near the 16bit isa extension and on the pcb near the 8 bit side in the middle i have coated it to protect it.

I am planning tonight to listen to the cards, what should the best games be to test the correct nice sounding opl music? doom? dune 1? warcraft2?
Let me know.

Btw the CX neither the CS4236 has a yamah chip installed near it, and its an one chip sound sollution.
I suspect there is no real opl right? emulated in software or hardware?
and what would the difference be between the cx4236 and the cs4236?

The CS4236 is missing any output the TDA1517 is missing. ;-(

Thanks all of you.

Just don't dispose of the PCA70PS, also known as the Acer Magic S23. I now have 5 of these, these are great allround retro sound cards. (But don't expect much of it in windows 2000/XP)

Anything with a big CS4231/4248 is not mainly a Crystal card, as the necessary controller is OPTi or Aztech or whatever. CS4231/4248 are only codecs, of an earlier generation. (btw. You mislabel one as CS4232)

Which one is Acer Magic S23 ?

I soldered a TDA1517 from one of the 4231 boards today to hear the sound of the CS4236B.

JaNoZ wrote:

Which one is Acer Magic S23 ?

Phillips "PCA70PS", with the big sticker "PCA70PS", has CS4232 and OPL3.

See also this topic: Perfect ISA soundcard, in theory

In case the PnP configuration is not cooperating to your liking, you can use Resource.exe, found here: Terratec Maestro 32/96

You can find a summary of the different Crystal chipsets in my signature link.