Audio Quality: RightMark Audio Analyzer 16/44.1

Here, we really need to look at the swept IMD test at the bottom of the page to see the problems with Creative's implementation. Note, also, that the Gina3G maintains a very flat frequency response. And though the Gina3G's noise and dynamic range numbers are "not as good" as the Creative cards, the behavior is more consistent across the audible spectrum.


TestEcho Audio Gina3GSB Audigy 2 ZS Platinum ProSB Audigy 4 ProIntel HD Audio
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: +0.04, -0.09+0.13, -0.36+0.13, -0.36+0.25, -0.32
Noise level, dB (A): -94.3-95.6-94.5-87.8
Dynamic range, dB (A): 94.194.394.187.1
THD, %: 0.00570.00280.00330.0061
IMD, %: 0.00790.00760.00810.018
Stereo crosstalk, dB: -94.9-95.2-93.3-87.6

Spectrum graph
Frequency response

Spectrum graph
Noise level

Spectrum graph
Dynamic range

Spectrum graph
THD + Noise (at -3 dB FS)

Spectrum graph
Intermodulation distortion

Spectrum graph
Stereo crosstalk


Spectrum graph
IMD Sweep comparison


Note the flatness of the IMD sweep test on the Gina3G and the sharp contrast of the Intel and especially the Creative solutions. The range of frequencies graphed isn't very clearly labeled, but the graph starts at 2kHz and goes to 20kHz on the x-axis. As the value plotted on this graph represents the dB level of intermodulation distortion present in the signal when those frequencies are swept, and the signals are 1kHz apart, a large part of the distortion will be in the form of a 1kHz tone (F2 - F1). This is obviously bad and can indicate that even in audible high frequency data could cause problems right in prime listening space.

Audio Quality: RightMark Audio Analyzer 16/48 Audio Quality: Qualitative Analysis
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  • SkillS - Friday, June 13, 2008 - link

    Pleas Do not review audio cards here,
    your knowledge of the subject is highly limited,

    your testing methods with adapters for christ sake are more then questionable,

    your pairing of pro audio cards with "demands" like EAX are laughable ,

    and it all leads to one thing - Confusing Buyers,

    Please stop this nonsense.
    Stick to something you DO have a clue about.

  • NEVERwinter - Monday, April 11, 2005 - link

    so..., where's the roundup?

    I'd like to see these cards (compared to those already in the article):

    envy24 (terratec DMX xfire 24/96)
    envy24ht (terratec aureon universe, audiotrak prodigy 7.1, m-audio revolution 7.1)
    realtek alc850 onboard
    nvidia nf2 soundstorm
    turtle beach santa cruz?

    lynx, emu, motu and digi002 is also a good addition

    by the way, i read somewhere that revolution 5.1 has better DAC than revo 7.1. is that true?
  • flachschippe - Thursday, March 10, 2005 - link

    That should be "head-related *transfer* function" (HRTF), not "head-related transform function". The transfer function of a signal-transferring system is the reaction of the system's output signal to an impulse input signal.
  • S0me1X - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    #83
    For the pure digital out card, go with AV710 because it can be flashed with Prodigy 7.1 firmware. Then you can install Prodigy 7.1 drivers (which are much better than Via's OEM drivers). This gives bit-perfect digital out for only $25.

    Note that the AV710 only supports digital out via Toslink. So if your receiver does not accept toslink, then EMU0404 is the only choice.

    Link to AV710 on newegg
    http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?desc...

    Link to info about flashing to Prodigy firmware
    http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=75...

    The AV710 has decent 2 channel analog out (in high res mode), but the EMU0404/1212 better.
  • DerekWilson - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    Disdain for 2 channel?

    I actually mentioned that I prefered listening to the dream theatre dvd in 2 channel ... i prefer all music listening in 2 channel actually ...

    There are not many good 2 channel 24/192kHz DVD-Audio offerings out there ... does anyone have any good suggestions? Most of the stuff I like is mixed into 6 channel. Which just feels wrong for anything but techno or orchestral stuff that tries to put you at the prime listening point of a music hall or something.

    Also, note I used rather nice 2 channel headphones while the sonic quality of my surround solution was no where near as good. It was more to test compatibility.

    We are certainly open to suggestions on what and how to test to better suit our readers though :-)

    Derek Wilson
  • sparky001 - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    #70 - S0me1X

    Thanks for the comment on what I should use. I thought I should clarify. I need two seperate PC's (HTPC's) one is for my room and needs analog out. The other is for a the lounge room and will use digital out into an Onkyo 701 reciever.

    What cards should I use for this?

    #80.
    Correct I would like to see the reviews a little more accomodating to 2 channel audio. All CD's are stereo and they are still the dominant format.
  • Maleficus - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

  • CSMR - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    Everyone's asking for so many things to be reviewed. It makes more sense IMO to do a general article on how to get good sound from a PC. Something for beginners, like the excellent articles on taking pictures which have appeared recently. PC audio is really quite simple; but you won't know how it works without digging for information.
  • Gooberslot - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    I'd like to see the AV-710 and the Revo 5.1 reviewed. That emu 0404 doesn't look too bad either.

    I do wish the reviewer didn't have such disdain for 2.x solutions. Not everyone has room or money for a surround sound system.
  • LocutusX - Friday, February 4, 2005 - link

    For those of you with Audigy 2's who want to get the highest quality possible from 44.1KHz sources - you don't necessarily need to spend the $$$ buying a new sound card.

    Instead, configure either Foobar or Winamp to resample to 48KHz in the output plugin. Both have versions of the high quality "SSRC" plugin available. For Winamp, you need to search for DirectSound 2.0 with SSRC output plugin. There is also an ASIO plugin with built-in SSRC resampling. The results of ABX double-blind tests seem to suggest that going this route is an effective substitution for one of the better Non-Resampling cards...

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