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Sound Blaster "ViBRA" CT25xx series VLSI ASIC overview:

http://queststudios.com/smf/index.php?action= … ge;topic=2175.0

Yep, it's a cut-down, integrated version of the SB16. Generally speaking, they have a bit cleaner sound than the older SB16s, but most versions lack things like the OPL3, so they're not as good for games as a 'real' SB16. I don't know much about the XV version specifically, but I'd say it falls in the lower-end of the spectrum of sound cards... generally usable, but not great and not particularly desirable.

Yeah, that was one of the pages I'd found on my first google run. Lots of information there. Now I just need to figure out how to find out exactly which version I have in here so I can figure out whether I want to use it or find another isa card.

Well, looking at specs and discussions will only do so much... I'd recommend you just try it, and see what you personally think of it... and that includes the sound quality, the setup process, everything. Sound cards tend to be pretty subjective anyway. If it turns out you're dissatisfied with some aspect of it, you can always go back and add a card later on.

I just got an CT2980 with the (Vibra) CT2502-SDQ chip. The card was not noisy, sounded decent but had the Hexen bug. DSP is 4.13. No OPL3 visible.

According to link above, best S/N ratio of the SB16 ilk. Too bad.

Never had a problem even with half assed sound blaster clones they always worked perfectly even if ALS-100s need -5v lines and are picky even on the power supplies! (this is linux)

but who still uses dos as general purpose os on 386+ with enough ram anyway