The CS4236 is in the same vein as the CS4237 with an integrated SB Pro/WSS codec and controller. The onboard CrystalFM is the same improved version as the CS4237 and not the buggy one from the CS4235 chip.

I believe the only difference between the CS4236B and CS4237 is the inclusion of SRS 3D sound on the newer chip.

When you refer to CS4236 do you mean CX4236 because the card is equipped with the latter?

So no wavetable functionality on this card unlike other S23As?

I'm not sure why they are labeled differently, but regardless I'm referring to the Crystal Semi 4236B chip.

gdjacobs wrote:

I'm not sure why they are labeled differently, but regardless I'm referring to the Crystal Semi 4236B chip.

DSA0068017.pdf

I see. I already have a cs4232 card do these chipsets have any fundamental differences for example in crystal fm implementation? Is this materially superior to CS4232?

CS4232 doesn't implement FM by itself. I'm aware of three options -- a companion chip Crystal made which includes a variant of Crystal FM as well as some 3D-ish processing, FM onboard a Crystal/Dream wavetable synth chip, and OPL3 implemented via a Yamaha chipset or illegal 100% clone. I'm not sure how your card implements it.

I haven't done any head to head comparisons, but I personally hate the version Crystal implemented on their FM/3D chip. I'm told that the CS4236 and newer use a better implementation.

Mine has the cs4289 fm/3d companion chip. Now I feel obliged to get the cx4226 if only to compare.

Stii unsure what the difference between CS and CX 4236 are though.

appiah4 wrote:

Mine has the cs4289 fm/3d companion chip.

*shudder*

appiah4 wrote:

Stii unsure what the difference between CS and CX 4236 are though.

One letter?

My D1026 has that same chip. Sbpro is very good, but has some compatibility issues with demoscene-stuff, the games were fine except DN2. When duke speaks "I'am back" the system freezes regardless ems/xms or any other config. I use the drivers for the magic23a. Phil has newer ones on his site: https://www.philscomputerlab.com/crystal-cx4235.html

I will test these today.

FM is quite good but not so good as my ess-solo1 (1938). Some percussion/snare sound are a bit off or to loud but a lot better then on phils video. Overall very good for an onboard solution.

Doc