The best Audigy out there? The ZS story.

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Creative Labs, is a name synonymous with PC audio excellence, especially in the ‘90s. When they unveiled the Audigy series soundcards, the world was left in awe of their exceptional audio quality. At least when it was launched. The anticipation reached new heights when they introduced its successor, the Audigy 2 series. But what happened next? How did Creative's pursuit of audio perfection take an unexpected turn? Today, we dive deep into the Audigy series, exploring its strengths and weaknesses, and comparing it to the latest addition to my collection, the ZS. So does ZS mean it’s the ZShizzle or is it merely Nizzle?

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Опубликовано:

17 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 30

@WSS_the_OG 8 месяцев назад

I always thought these cards sounded very good, but as the years passed, I started to question of this was me being nostalgic, or my memory being that of rose-coloured ... headphones(?). I haven't had a motherboard with a regular PCI slot for a very long time, and so I have had no way to go back and listen to my original Audigy, a card still in my collection but with no way to use it. Your review and results surprised me. I guess it the old Audity really was that good, and it wasn't me being fooled by false, nostalgic, memories. Thanks for this Anton. BTW, remember the AWE cards? I remember being so excited about getting the AWE 64 when it came out, maybe even more excited than the Audigy made me. But of course, nothing can measure up the excitement of that original SB16, like the one you have on your shelf (if I recall correctly, mine was an ISA card). That thing was an absolute game changer.

@AntonsHardware 8 месяцев назад

When I started I was afraid that I would get too nostalgic too. And maybe I was too nostalgic! But the sound was just so... Well nice, fluent, what I want audio to sound like. Where some sound cards that I reviewed last year, were so... well digital. This one sounded analogue. I know that this sounds strange and that is why I didn't include that in the video. (although it was in the script). Ahhh yes... the AWE32... I was too young back then to afford one, but I remember almost drooling in front of the shop. And the SB16 was the bomb! But do you also remember the configuration that was needed? IRQ, DMA etc. And all in upper memory, or the game wouldn't run. Ohh and selecting the correct sound card in a game and finding out that your particular model wasn't supported!

@WSS_the_OG 8 месяцев назад

@@AntonsHardware Oh my goodness, yes. Anyone who lived through IRQ and DMA probably still has horrible nightmares about it to this day (haha). "Himem" in config.sys. But you know what? That was part of the fun. When it worked, you really felt you had accomplished something. I think you're okay, regarding nostalgia bias. You tested today, and you did measurements today. I love tube amps, so I completely understand what you mean when you say it sounds "analogue." It's a little dirtier, not as sterile, but it sounds so warm, and so nice. :)

@AntonsHardware 8 месяцев назад

Hahaha, Himem indeed! Everything had to go himem! Mouse driver, soundcard and pray that there was enough memory left to start the game.

@jess2690 8 месяцев назад

Always enjoy these reviews! 😊

@AntonsHardware 8 месяцев назад

Thank you! Working on the next one as I type! Will post a list on whats to come!

@tronotized1 8 месяцев назад

Cool review!

@AntonsHardware 8 месяцев назад

Thank you!

@ora2j251 8 месяцев назад

Nice review. I'm gonna personally buy one for an xp retro machine sometimes soon. Also, have you ever looked at getting an Onkyo SE300 to review?

@AntonsHardware 8 месяцев назад

Thank you! I was sort of amazed by the quality of all Audigy cards! Even the older audigy performed well! I would love to get my hands on the Onkyo SE300. I would really really love to have one. But they hard to get and very expensive. I've seen them for €250 - €300! Way out of my budget. :D

@pointblank722 3 месяца назад

Just bought one with two special connections on backplane and only 3 jacks, coded sb0360. Not printed as Audigy2 ZS or something but with ICT chip. Not installed yet.

@SilentHillFetishist 7 месяцев назад

I can´t find the original audio interface version for my Asus A7V8X-MX SE (subpar motherboard) without some bespoke ear equalizaion third party control. I downloaded a random Windows 2000 sound card file to get into the control (spoof that I got it), but the control tells me, that my device doesn´t have that function (I guess it really doesn´t have the function).

@piecaruso97 8 месяцев назад

Next up the audigy 4/4 pro and then the audigy rx

@AntonsHardware 8 месяцев назад

Now that is a card I wish I had! ( the 4 or 4 Pro)

@KevinSills Месяц назад

I have the original Sound Blaster Audigy, and the Audigy 2. The Audigy 2 has drivers for Windows Millenium, and XP; but, not for Windows 98 from Creative. Hunting on the Internet I did find a driver for Windows 98 eventually; but, not from Creative. The Audigy 2 ZS, Creative got carried away with the driver as far as I am concerned, so I trashed it.

@pablorusso1409 4 месяца назад

Hi, I’ve got an awe 64 with 28mb ram, bought it before I know about live and audigy support soundfonts and win 98/dos. Any chance of seeing a comparison of large midi banks?

@greggregson9687 5 месяцев назад

What are the differences, if any, between the Audigy 2ZS and the Audigy RX that is still for sale? (apart from the connector)

@MikeleKonstantyFiedorowiczIV 8 месяцев назад

i wish to see test of asus d1 soundcard and some other cheap old models. They are cheap so you dont need spend a lot of money and old soundcards are always interesting.

@AntonsHardware 8 месяцев назад

I'm not too sure if I want to get the D1. Maybe I will if I see one second hand. But for now I've already done a bunch of D series cards. Maybe next year! PS Nice to see you Mikele!

@MikeleKonstantyFiedorowiczIV 8 месяцев назад

Np, after buying g6 i am fully satisfied and sound card dont care me so much like before, of course you can find better dacs but i dont have need to buy something better. @@AntonsHardware

@THISLOVETHISHATE99 7 месяцев назад

bit of an odd question just got a xonar dgx(wanted the DX but seller sent DGX) an trying to use the uni xonar driver but cannot get the control panels to install

@AntonsHardware 7 месяцев назад

I've had that issue as well, but I can't remember what the solution was. Wasn't it something with giving the control panel admin rights or something?

@KeyToTime 8 месяцев назад

Audigy 4 pro next please!

@AntonsHardware 8 месяцев назад

If I have one I would! But I have made a review about the Rx some time ago. The Rx is basically an Audigy 4, with a PCI to PCI-Express bridge. You can find the review here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-GFjqA6zhwlw.html (yes its a bit old :D)

@KeyToTime 8 месяцев назад

The Audigy 4 pro was a lot better than the standard Audigy 4 and was the true successor to the Audigy 2 ZS. Has a SNR of 113db compared to 106 of the Audigy 4 and 108 of the Audigy 2 ZS. It's my favorite sound card of the era, sounds amazing.

@TheSmartass1977 8 месяцев назад

Goeie morgen Anton wat is nou de beste audio kaart wat je kan kopen, om het beste geluid te krijgen in tarkov en warzone. ik gebruik nu hesuvi voor 7.1 en me onboard sound kaart Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Hero.

@AntonsHardware 8 месяцев назад

Als ik iets zou moeten aanbevelen is het de EVGA NU, maar die zijn duur en lastig te verkrijgen. De volgende is de Creative Soundblaster AE-5, AE-7 of zelfs de 9. Ik heb zelf de 5 en binnenkort hoop ik de 9 te krijgen. Wil je echt gek doen, dan moet je is kijken naar de Burson Audio Playmate 2. www.bursonaudio.com/products/playmate-2/ Dit is echt het summum van perfectie.

@TheSmartass1977 8 месяцев назад

Thanks voor de info. Heb ae-7 voor een mooi bedrag kunnen kopen. Hopelijk komt de review van de ae 9 snel

@AntonsHardware 8 месяцев назад

Ik koop 'm via Tweakers.net, maar de man waarvan ik 'm koop ligt in t ziekenhuis! Dus ik hoop dat hij snel beter wordt.