Malik wrote:bushwack wrote:Think the SB32 + XR385 would be a better setup then my SB64 Gold?
Yes, better MIDI quality.
And yes, as Nurzaman said, the AWE64Gold has much better sound output compared to a AWE32/SB32 - a lot less hiss; negligible/unappreciated in certain speaker setup.
Yup. I'm still not sure if the less noise is due to the gold connectors, or simply because it makes it possible to use RCA cables, which is beefier and (usually) more insulated than mini stereo cables.
Malik wrote:I ended up using AWE32 in my "main" classic machine - expandability - SIMMS and MIDI Daughterboard.
Yes. separate MIDI card (like SW60XG or SCC-1) consumes more ISA slot, and propetiary RAM expansion for AWE64 series is quite hard to find. Not to mention the size is quite limited, while IIRC generic EDO RAM for AWE32 series enables us to expand the memory to 32 megabytes!
On the other hand, MIDI daughterboard doesn't play well with CH throttle. That's why I had to stick to SW60XG and AWE64 Gold. 😖
Malik wrote:I bought a high quality audio cable with good insulation just for the AWE32. The difference in muffling the hiss is very noticable.
While we're at it....
It seems many sound cards are quite noisy and hissy due to poor circuitry, and/or the inherent noises in a PC box. I wonder: how much can a tube filter help? It primarily works as noise filter, although stereo snobs claim that it also makes digital music as warm as vinyl (I am an stereo snob, but not that snob 😉 ) due to the tubes. Wonder how FM music or MT-32 music would sound with tube amplifier.
Never thought this thread would be that long, but now, for something different.....
Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman.