yes that appears to the the real thing

I don't know if that's the "Real" audigy or not but I did want to chime in that you are right to ask this. I have a local used computer store that has a bin with all kinds of PCI sound cards tossed in there in indiviual static bags with a little price stuck on it, usually $5 - $10. I've bought about 4 different versions of PCI Audigy cards from there and none of em will work with MS-DOS wrappers / layers / drivers that I've found online, so.. I don't really know what kind of audigy you need for true dos support, if that's what you're looking for.

With XP/Vista/7/8 you can use the DanielK Audigy Support Pack 4.5 and that supports even the OEM Audigy cards. There is even a DanielK pack for the cheapo "P17X" boards that don't have a EMU10K2 DSP.

swaaye wrote:

With XP/Vista/7/8 you can use the DanielK Audigy Support Pack 4.5 and that supports even the OEM Audigy cards. There is even a DanielK pack for the cheapo "P17X" boards that don't have a EMU10K2 DSP.

That's good to know. I still want to avoid boards that are missing features, though. (seems to be the case with SE, LS, and Value)

Default Audigy SB0090 drivers work for Windows 7 32bit.
I have Audigy Platinum Pro version. All audigy models have SB0090 but differ in PCB.

If this card is going to run in Windows XP or later, I'd honestly suggest stepping up to the Audigy 2 or later (Audigy 2, 2 ZS, or 4 Pro) - they fixed the SRC bug and introduced EAX 4 with the Audigy 2, and introduced improvements with the ZS and 4 Pro (my understanding is the "Pro" is the only Audigy 4 that actually has the 10k2 DSP). Most of the Value/SE/LX boards will also lack the hardware DSP.

EAX4 was added to the original Audigy in a driver update.

All of these cards resample to 16-bit 48KHz if you use the DSP in any way because that is its native processing format. You want X-Fi if you are concerned about the quality of SRC. The only time I've noticed the SRC issue on Live and Audigy is with synthetic tests that target its weaknesses (ie the Udial sample) and so I consider it one of those crazy OCD audiophile things. Also if you use Vista or later, Windows is typically set to resample to 16-bit 48KHz before sending data to the sound card, and so you bypass the Audigy's SRC (unless you use Alchemy or OpenAL).

The plain Audigy 4 does have EMU10K2 (aka CA10300).

swaaye wrote:

EAX4 was added to the original Audigy in a driver update.

I wasn't sure of that, thanks for clarifying.

All of these cards resample to 16-bit 48KHz if you use the DSP in any way because that is its native processing format.

Original Audigy forces resampling all the time, Audigy 2 and later will bypass the DSP as a fix to the issue, so unless you're running EAX or other DSP effects they will give you whatever they're set to give you. At least that's always been what I've read, been told, seen, etc.

You want X-Fi if you are concerned about the quality of SRC. The only time I've noticed the SRC issue on Live and Audigy is with synthetic tests that target its weaknesses (ie the Udial sample) and so I consider it one of those crazy OCD audiophile things. Also if you use Vista or later, Windows is typically set to resample to 16-bit 48KHz before sending data to the sound card, and so you bypass the Audigy's SRC (unless you use Alchemy or OpenAL).

X-Fi drivers are/were such a miserable nightmare though. 😒 I'd agree that, for the most part, the SRC thing isn't relevant to 99% of users, but I'm also doubting that it's much harder or more expensive to find an Audigy 2 or 2 ZS than an original, and they are improved boards.

The plain Audigy 4 does have EMU10K2 (aka CA10300).

Thanks for catching that one. 😀

Yeah on Audigy 2 / 4 / X-Fi there is the bit accurate mode that bypasses the DSP. It's not pertinent for gaming though really...

X-Fi drivers are ok these days. Some motherboard chipsets have PCI issues that cause problems with CA20K1 though. PCIe-PCI bridge chips on modern boards are trouble for it too. CA20K1 is more sensitive to PCI quirks than the Audigy chips, but Intel chipsets with native PCI seem to be fine in my experience... I have a CA20K1 PCI card (Elite Pro) and CA20K2 PCIe board (X-Fi Ti) both in use.

swaaye wrote:

X-Fi drivers are ok these days. Some motherboard chipsets have PCI issues that cause problems with CA20K1 though. PCIe-PCI bridge chips on modern boards are trouble for it too. CA20K1 is more sensitive to PCI quirks than the Audigy chips, but Intel chipsets with native PCI seem to be fine in my experience... I have a CA20K1 PCI card (Elite Pro) and CA20K2 PCIe board (X-Fi Ti) both in use.

I have a 20k1 (Prelude), it works fine in the 3 systems I've tried it in (two Intel, one ATI), my bigger complaint is just how the driver control panel/functionality is accessed. It's very non-intuitive. I prefer the "all in one" approach of the Audigy and SoundCore series, versus the "mode switch" feature (which, from time to time, crashes the drivers or audio applications; I would say in whatever 4-5 years of owning the card that's probably happened 4-5 times, so it isn't super common, but it is possible).

X-Fi isn't a bad card all things considered, but I'd much prefer an A2/A4 or SoundCore if given the choice. And if given the choice between an Audigy, or Audigy 2/ZS/4 I'd take the later generation card as well. A quick look on ebay shows that pricing is pretty equivalent for all four generations - around $10-$15.

obobskivich wrote:

If this card is going to run in Windows XP or later, I'd honestly suggest stepping up to the Audigy 2 or later (Audigy 2, 2 ZS, or 4 Pro) - they fixed the SRC bug and introduced EAX 4 with the Audigy 2, and introduced improvements with the ZS and 4 Pro (my understanding is the "Pro" is the only Audigy 4 that actually has the 10k2 DSP). Most of the Value/SE/LX boards will also lack the hardware DSP.

I have an Audigy 2 ZS and love it to death. I just wanted something different for the build I'm doing at the moment (fast Intel / Nvidia rig circa 2002).

maximus wrote:

obobskivich wrote:

If this card is going to run in Windows XP or later, I'd honestly suggest stepping up to the Audigy 2 or later (Audigy 2, 2 ZS, or 4 Pro) - they fixed the SRC bug and introduced EAX 4 with the Audigy 2, and introduced improvements with the ZS and 4 Pro (my understanding is the "Pro" is the only Audigy 4 that actually has the 10k2 DSP). Most of the Value/SE/LX boards will also lack the hardware DSP.

I have an Audigy 2 ZS and love it to death. I just wanted something different for the build I'm doing at the moment (fast Intel / Nvidia rig circa 2002).

Ever tried non-Creative cards? Like VIA or C-Media boards? Should be fairly compatible with older hardware and give you hardware audio, and it'd certainly be something different. 😀

I know there was a Chaintech card that was very popular around that time, as well as the M-Audio surround-sound cards, and there's probably at least one Hercules from that era that would work too.

obobskivich wrote:

I prefer the "all in one" approach of the Audigy and SoundCore series, versus the "mode switch" feature (which, from time to time, crashes the drivers or audio applications; I would say in whatever 4-5 years of owning the card that's probably happened 4-5 times, so it isn't super common, but it is possible).

I tend to just leave X-Fi cards in Gaming mode.

I just remembered something I don't like about the original Audigy card. I have a SB0090 Audigy Platinum. When it is in headphone mode, there is quite audible hiss on the output. This isn't the case with Audigy 2 ZS or Audigy 4. Only an issue if you're a headphone user.

obobskivich wrote:

Ever tried non-Creative cards? Like VIA or C-Media boards? Should be fairly compatible with older hardware and give you hardware audio, and it'd certainly be something different. 😀

I've always had better luck with Creative cards. That said, I'm developing an interest in Aureal Vortex 2 hardware, as I seem to have a lot of games which support A3D but not EAX.

swaaye wrote:

I just remembered something I don't like about the original Audigy card. I have a SB0090 Audigy Platinum. When it is in headphone mode, there is quite audible hiss on the output. This isn't the case with Audigy 2 ZS or Audigy 4. Only an issue if you're a headphone user.

That's good to know. My SB Live! 5.1 has the same problem. It's noticeable, but only when there are no sounds playing. Not really an issue in most games.

Quick update for posterity:

I just fired up the SB0090, and it does appear to be the real Audigy. Works great with Creative's final Windows XP drivers. EAX4.0 in Doom 3 is a real treat 😀

I did immediately notice the hissing on my headphones - it's quite bad. However, I can make it go away by going into Volume Control and quickly muting and unmuting one of the outputs. Weird.

With the drivers, did you get them from Creative (web drivers) or from an installation CD?

I'm also looking for an Audigy. Starting with that card came EAX Advanced HD which games such as Splinter Cell use.

The X-Fi doesn't seem to have W98SE drivers / support. But under XP I guess you would go straight with a X-Fi rather than an Audigy?

What Audigy is THE Audigy? 2 ZS?

Audigy 2 ZS is about as good as they get. There are some Audigy 2/4 Platinum cards which in theory could sound ever so slightly better. I have an X-Fi Elite Pro and an Audigy 2 ZS and frankly I can't tell the difference between them. The plain Audigy 4 is great too.

The original Audigy cards have hiss in headphone mode. It seems like a noisy amp kicks on or something when on headphone mode. I have the Platinum version of that.

Mau1wurf1977 wrote:

With the drivers, did you get them from Creative (web drivers) or from an installation CD?

Web drivers, exactly the same package I use with my Audigy 2 ZS.