I need a sound card...

[Jayce]

I'm in disbelief. Ubuntu has been out for how many years? And I'm still having trouble finding a decent PCI sound card that is supported 100% out of the box...

Does anybody know of a decent one, 25-40ish range? I just bought a SIIG SoundWave 7.1 PCI card that, on NewEgg reviews, somebody said they got to work. I have no flippin idea what he did or what distro he used, he simply said works on Linux. I'm using Ubuntu Hardy Heron 64 bit and I can get the card to work, but 50% of the time I start my computer, it doesn't work. A simple reboot, I get it back. Another reboot, it's gone. I also can only get sound from DVD + MP3s, nothing from internet sites (YouTube, CNET, etc).

So anyway, I'm looking for a sound card... if I can find a 24 bit 96khz or better sound card that's at least 5.1 and under 50 bucks, I'd be so **** happy.

Has anybody found a card that works 100% with Ubuntu out of the box?

Note - I am using ALSA.

Side Thoughts - I keep hearing about the M Audio Revolution 7.1 PCI card. Supposedly it works well with Ubuntu. Thing is, I'd have to take out a loan to afford the thing. It's out of my price range by quite a few bucks.

I've been told that the Turtle Beach Riviera works nicely with Ubuntu, however, I'm curious if those folks just had 2 speakers hooked up or multiple speakers. Although right now I only have two speakers, I'd like to think long term when I get this sound card in case I upgrade to something with more speakers.

I also hear good things about the Diamond XtremeSound cards... I was particularly looking at the 7.1 PCI 24bit 96khz card on NewEgg for about 30 bucks. Looks nice, but I hear conflicting reviews. "Works great with Linux!" "I'm blue in the face and can't get Alsa to recognize it." Blah...

[Mak213]

Jayce,

As i said in your other topic i have had no issues with working with my Creative Audigy 2ZS card in Ubuntu. I even got my 5.1 sound working. So that might be a alternative.

Cheers,
Mak

[Jayce]

Originally Posted by Mak213

Jayce,

As i said in your other topic i have had no issues with working with my Creative Audigy 2ZS card in Ubuntu. I even got my 5.1 sound working. So that might be a alternative.

Cheers,
Mak

Wait, what? I seen you posted about that card, but when I googled it it seemed like a VERY low end card... like 7 dollar on NewEgg type of stuff... That's why I just excused it and figured I'd make a new post geared in the direct Linux path.

But, it's a 5.1? What's the sample rate of it? Bit?

[Mak213]

Jayce,

Wish i knew. If you tell me how to find out that info i will gladly share it. But yes it is a 5.1 card. I use it with Windows all the time. I have setup Ubuntu to work with it as well. Works great with my junky logitech speakers.

So give the the way to tell how to get that info and i will gladly post it.

Cheers,
Mak

[ricanflow]

Originally Posted by Jayce

Wait, what? I seen you posted about that card, but when I googled it it seemed like a VERY low end card... like 7 dollar on NewEgg type of stuff... That's why I just excused it and figured I'd make a new post geared in the direct Linux path.

But, it's a 5.1? What's the sample rate of it? Bit?

Low end?? LOL the Audigy 2 ZS Platinum was creatives highest end card before the X-FI's, with a heavy price tag to match.



Heres some of the specs:



High Definition Audio Quality for Playback and Recording

*

24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion during playback with sampling rates of 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz in 7.1 mode and up to 192kHz in stereo mode
*

24-bit Analog to Digital conversion during recording in 8, 16 or 24-bit at sampling rates of 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz
*

SPDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) input at up to 24-bit/ 96kHz quality
*

SPDIF output up to 24-bit at 48 or 96kHz
*

ASIO 2.0 drivers for low latency (as low as 2ms) multi-track playback and recording at 16-bit/48kHz or 24-bit/96kHz


Full specs and review here:
Creative SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS review @ TechSpot

[Jayce]

Thanks for the info!

Is there a big difference from 48khz to 96khz? Is it something I would notice if I went from a 96 card to a 48? (assuming both cards are 24 bit)

[wafflehammer]

Newegg.com - Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Sound Cards

seems like a decent card...7.1, 24 bit, 96Khz. Mixed reviews on the linux thing though, a lot say it works..some say it doesn't

[Jayce]

Thanks... but no thanks on anything dealing with Creative. 95% of Creative users I hear on the Ubuntu Forums claim that, yeah, Creative "says" they support Linux, but that their drivers are so incredibly awful that it's more of a joke than anything else.

But, that's not me... just what I heard. I'd rather get a card that 100% works out of the box, and my options on the table are the Montego or Riviera...

[Mak213]

Jayce,

I have to say that is a first. Cause my Creative has always worked right out of the Box with Ubuntu. With the 3 different versions i have used.

6.04, 7.10, 8.04

It has worked right from the install of the OS with 5.1 sound. So how they can say it works like junk is news to me.

I have not heard of either of those brands. So i would make sure to read a bunch of reviews on them.

Cheers,
Mak

[Jayce]

Mak-

I don't mean to step on your toes, considering I haven't used a Creative card... but you sound like one of the extreme few. Your card is a bit older, which serves as a benefit to support...

I've done a lot of reviews on Turtle Beach. In fact, a close friend who's a big time sound guy recommended me the brand of TB before I even told him I was considering them. And to hear actual people on the Ubuntu Forums that I speak to frequently boast about how easy their TB card was in Ubuntu just angers me that I don't have one yet, so I plan to order one... right now!

But hey, if that card works for you man, that's great. That's the idea. I'm just saying that as a common concensus of what I've seen on the forums, Creative looks frowned upon - support wise.

As always, thanks for your input, bro.