PCIE -> PCI adpter and SoundBlasters \ VOGONS

PCIE -> PCI adpter and SoundBlasters

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First post, by GALAHs

Posted on 2025-02-15, 14:04

GALAHs Offline

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I have two PCIE --> PCI adapters I bought to get SoundBlaster cards working on two AM4 platform PC's.

The Startec one with the Pericom - PI7C9X118SL bridge chip seems to be working ok with a SoundBlaster Live 5.1 and Audigy 2. It's just a shame its so expensive.

A generic adapter I purchased off ebay that uses ASM1083 bridge chip has had nothing but issues.
It wont even let me boot the PC with the Audigy fitted. The Soundblaster Live boots, drivers install ok but the sound is really distorted.

I'm not sure if I am just wasting my time trying to get the generic adapter to work.

Anyone have any experience using PCIE-PCI adapters for SoundBlasters.

Reply 1 of 6, by Dothan Burger

Posted on 2025-02-16, 19:57

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Maybe the ASM1083 adapter is damaged. I've tested a PLX based Amfeltec adapter and an Ali Express ASM1083 adapter and haven't any issues with SB lives in either.

I've read of some having issues with ASM1083 devices if they had PCI-E power saving features enabled maybe that's something to look into.

Reply 2 of 6, by The Serpent Rider

Posted on 2025-02-16, 21:25

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You need -12v rail for Sound Blasters to work, so cheap adapters won't work without additional modding.

I must be some kind of standard: the anonymous gangbanger of the 21st century.

Reply 3 of 6, by Dothan Burger

Posted on 2025-02-16, 22:07

Dothan Burger Offline

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The Serpent Rider wrote on 2025-02-16, 21:25:

You need -12v rail for Sound Blasters to work, so cheap adapters won't work without additional modding.

This is the Ali Express adapter I used and it works great for sound Blaster live. I paid about $40 more than the already super expensive price for the Amfeltec because it had -12V and I'm not sure it made any difference.

Ali Express single PCI adapter $16.
Amfeltec dual PCI adapter $299

Reply 4 of 6, by GALAHs

Posted on 2025-02-17, 15:27

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The Serpent Rider wrote on 2025-02-16, 21:25:

You need -12v rail for Sound Blasters to work, so cheap adapters won't work without additional modding.

The cheap card had a molex cable which I did plug in???

Dothan Burger that adapter looks ok. Does it connect to a PCIE card with a USB cable?
Also what power adapter does it use? A floppy disk power connector?

Reply 5 of 6, by Dothan Burger

Posted on 2025-02-17, 16:23

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The USB cable just carries the PCIE lanes minus the power to another PCIE adapter, like a mini PCIE or M.2 adapter. The Power is supplied by a standard 12V AC adapter.

This setup worked great for my Soundblaster live on a first gen Core i5 ITX board I'm working on.

Reply 6 of 6, by mln

Posted on 2025-02-17, 20:58

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The Serpent Rider wrote on 2025-02-16, 21:25:

You need -12v rail for Sound Blasters to work, so cheap adapters won't work without additional modding.

I believe this is not true.

Asus H61M-K + SB Audigy 2 (SB0204) works fine with this cheap ASM1083-based PCIe-PCI adapter:

The attachment Untitled.jpg is no longer available

Of course you need to supply power with a floppy disk power connector.

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