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I think I'll hold off until I don't know what else to buy. I've got DOSBox setup to use the Sound Canvas VA, MUNT and the Yamaha S-YXG50 and I can display them on a second monitor but having the real box, that orange backlit LCD, just seems so cool (yes, the SC-55) but I definitely would love a MT-32 too. Once I got that going on a nice DOS/Win98 PC, then I'll consider the AWE64 Gold.

Yeah, the differences aren't huge. The 4MB onboard SoundFont capacity might make a difference, depending on your needs.

The AWE64 Gold (CT4390/CT4540) has RCA line outputs and no amplifier chip. Other AWE64's (CT4380, CT4500, CT4520) have a TDA1517P driving a speaker output, which is also usual on other mid-90's Sound Blasters after the TEA2025B. I don't think there's been any real consensus about one design outperforming the other, quality wise.

The big chips are pretty similar. The Gold had two further mixer revisions (CT1745A-S and -SCP), and the CT4540 has another revision of the main AWE chip. The CT4520 is a lot more integrated than the rest, don't know much about them.

Lastly, you get a coax SPDIF output header (and bracket, unless lost) with the Gold.

Yeah it's a significant upgrade. The 4MB onboard RAM can hold some significant SF2 soundfonts including the 4MB Creative one, the SCCT and the Yamaha XG ones. And that can make a huge difference.

That said, given what a Gold usually costs you may want to grab one of the SIMMCONN adapters currently in production by Dreamblaster instead IMO.

ElectroMan wrote:

I would probably grab something like AWE32 with SIMM slots instead (less hassle in my opinion)

until the noise floor gets to you that is

Finding a good AWE32 (CT2760, CT3980) is more expensive than an AWE64 Gold + new SIMMCONN.

Many years ago, i wanted to get an AWE64 Gold, though when i discovered the memory upgrades were more difficult to acquire, i went for an AWE 32.
Wait....CT2760? How expensive?....what kind of price do they sell for?
I only ask because after i bought mine in 2000, i ended up buying a second one as it was bundled with the DB50XG daughterboard i have. (Both were second hand when i bought them, and i got them cheap) Basically i only needed 1...though i kept both of them all these years.

Finding a good AWE32 (CT2760, CT3980) is more expensive than an AWE64 Gold + new SIMMCONN.

Sound Blaster 32 models got you covered.

Hi guys
I just got a AWE32 3670 ( use AWE 64 chips) and i have 2 x 1MB 30-pin ram to put. Will be enough to load some basic soundfonts?
I am aware about the lack of true OPL3 and i plan to use it on my p2 450 with win98SE. I want just use for later and non speed sensitive DOS games.

MKT_Gundam wrote:

Hi guys
I just got a AWE32 3670 ( use AWE 64 chips) and i have 2 x 1MB 30-pin ram to put. Will be enough to load some basic soundfonts?
I am aware about the lack of true OPL3 and i plan to use it on my p2 450 with win98SE. I want just use for later and non speed sensitive DOS games.

Its more then the 512kb onboard so wont hurt to have it.