The model number is kind of interesting, but it's not an AWE64 Gold. Probably produces good quality sound, but not likely to get much higher offers than other Value editions.

firage wrote:

The model number is kind of interesting, but it's not an AWE64 Gold. Probably produces good quality sound, but not likely to get much higher offers than other Value editions.

A quick search came up with very little information, it seems the CT4550 is not an AWE64 Goid but not a value edition either.

Re: AWE64 Gold Prices on eBay - Insanity suggests it's "the last revision of the AWE64 Gold" and notes that its value was oddly high at the time, but that was four years ago.

Does the AWE chip on the CT4550 have everything integrated?

From what it looks like from the few pictures I could find the CT4550 has a decent amount less parts than any of the other AWE64 cards.

Specifically, it looks to be missing the CT1745A mixer chip.

Jorpho wrote:

Re: AWE64 Gold Prices on eBay - Insanity suggests it's "the last revision of the AWE64 Gold" and notes that its value was oddly high at the time, but that was four years ago.

I think Phil meant the CT4540. The CT4550 is for sure missing all the external features.

cyclone3d wrote:

Does the AWE chip on the CT4550 have everything integrated?

From what it looks like from the few pictures I could find the CT4550 has a decent amount less parts than any of the other AWE64 cards.

Specifically, it looks to be missing the CT1745A mixer chip.

Looks just like a CT4520, the late AWE64 Value PnP, with only minor differences.

Thanks for weighing in, everyone. I can take pictures if any are visually curious.

firage wrote:

I think Phil meant the CT4540. The CT4550 is for sure missing all the external features. […]
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Jorpho wrote:

Re: AWE64 Gold Prices on eBay - Insanity suggests it's "the last revision of the AWE64 Gold" and notes that its value was oddly high at the time, but that was four years ago.

I think Phil meant the CT4540. The CT4550 is for sure missing all the external features.

cyclone3d wrote:

Does the AWE chip on the CT4550 have everything integrated?

From what it looks like from the few pictures I could find the CT4550 has a decent amount less parts than any of the other AWE64 cards.

Specifically, it looks to be missing the CT1745A mixer chip.

Looks just like a CT4520, the late AWE64 Value PnP, with only minor differences.

Thanks for the clarification. I hadn't looked at the 4520.

My Gold is a CT4390 and I was looking at pics of other older models as well.

When I got a load of old soundcards for free there were 3 of these in there. Seeing as yours was also free , I'd say it's value is pretty much free.

Go off the average price of an AWE64 Value on eBay.

Heh, I used to have 4 of these cards in one PC. I was surprised I could do 8-channel real-time recording with Sonar (Windows 98). I think there was an issue where one channel didn't work on the last card, so 7 channels only (seem like it acted as mono).

I thought they were called Soundblaster PCI 128's or something like that...

Looking at Creative's model list (which curiously the CT4550 doesn't feature in), it looks like AWE32 cards are generally CT39xx, AWE64 cards are generally CT43xx and CT45xx, and the move to PCI128 bumps the model number up to CT47xx. So since this card is in the CT45xx series, it definitely looks like an AWE64 rather than a PCI128.

@MusicallyInspired: Do you mind if I use your photos to add this card to the list of sound cards on the Vogonswiki?

The value of AWE64's has dropped sharply now that the Simmconns are so hard to find IMHO. Without the ability to load a decent sound font they become a lot less interesting compared to all the other nice clones out there to play with.

15 to 20 bucks seems about right for a Value model, add 10 bucks for a Gold 😀

Malvineous wrote:

Looking at Creative's model list (which curiously the CT4550 doesn't feature in), it looks like AWE32 cards are generally CT39xx, AWE64 cards are generally CT43xx and CT45xx, and the move to PCI128 bumps the model number up to CT47xx. So since this card is in the CT45xx series, it definitely looks like an AWE64 rather than a PCI128.

Especially considering the card in the pictures is ISA and not PCI 🤣

The main oddity about the CT4550 is the missing amp. Just two line outs, I guess.

Thanks for the info, everybody!

Malvineous wrote:

@MusicallyInspired: Do you mind if I use your photos to add this card to the list of sound cards on the Vogonswiki?

I do not! Feel free. Here's another image of the ports on the card. Just basically Mic & Line inputs and Speaker & Line outputs. (and the game port MIDI I/O)

I also notice on the back there is a sticker that says CT4551-A2, but everywhere else repeats CT4550 as the model number.