mysticalears
06-28-2006, 02:00 AM
Chaintech AV-710 review.
Most of us have our music collection on the personal computer. But, apart from this most of us have to settle for the paltry sound that is produced by "on-board" sound cards. The pc environment is NOT the most suitable place for audio production. But, one can get very-good audio quality from a PC once one chooses the components wisley. Enter the Chaintech AV-710 a modestly priced sound card utilizing the Envy-24 chipset. But, does this card holds it's own whaen compared to it's competitors...mainly the audigy 2 zs? Read on to find out.
Packaging.
The packaging is nothing to get exited about.When you buy the card, all you get is a booklet, a driver cd, and an optical cable if you hooking it up to an outbound receiver. The components on the card itself is quite sparse, the Audigy has more components on it.
Sound quality (Music)
This aspect is where the Chaintech takes off ahead of the Audigy line (all) and never looks back. I had the Audigy 2 ZS and the chaintech beats it all over the head in the sound quality department. Things that the Audigy 2ZS miss out, the chaintech plays it through your speakers with pure sonic fidelity (for the price). Guitars, Pianos, cellos sound 10 times better than the Audigy 2 ZS. Pair this card with the audio player Foobar and hook it up to GOOD speakers, Klipsch 2.1, Klipsch Ultras etc and you will be smiling (once you stay away from mp3's). In the music department, the Audigy 2ZS is comprehensivly beaten by the Chaintech, no contest.
Games.
Not much to be said here. The Audigy 2ZS is STILL the best solution for games. Eax 4,0 and the EMU chipset used on the Audigy CANNOT be beaten FOR GAMES. The chaintech is no slouch here though. But, the Audigy comes up on top.
Movies.
The Audigy2ZS wins here too, but not by much.
Conclusion.
If you are a budding audiophile, or just looking for GOOD quality MUSIC on you rig, the Chaintech IS the way to go. THere is really NO contest between this and the Audigy (all) in the music department. The Audigy however, gets the slight edge in GAmes and movies. But for MUSIC the Envy24 chipset on teh Chiantech CANNOT be beaten at the moment. For MUSIC, the Envy24 Chipset on the Chaintech stands alone. Get this card, get good speakers or a receiver, put on music lay back and enjoy.
Pros
Superb musical ability (in stero), leaves Audigy2ZS and Fatality in the dust.
CHEAP!!!
Optical out to hook up to HOem theater receiver.
Cons.
Subpar game and movie performance.
Hard to find, not available in Triniadad, MUST order.
Need GOOD speakers.
Overall, I give ths card
For games 3 out of 5
For movies 3 out of 5
Music 5 out of 5
Overall 5 out of 5 ( I gave it 5 because I love music)
If you want a longer review just say and I will go in details.
Most of us have our music collection on the personal computer. But, apart from this most of us have to settle for the paltry sound that is produced by "on-board" sound cards. The pc environment is NOT the most suitable place for audio production. But, one can get very-good audio quality from a PC once one chooses the components wisley. Enter the Chaintech AV-710 a modestly priced sound card utilizing the Envy-24 chipset. But, does this card holds it's own whaen compared to it's competitors...mainly the audigy 2 zs? Read on to find out.
Packaging.
The packaging is nothing to get exited about.When you buy the card, all you get is a booklet, a driver cd, and an optical cable if you hooking it up to an outbound receiver. The components on the card itself is quite sparse, the Audigy has more components on it.
Sound quality (Music)
This aspect is where the Chaintech takes off ahead of the Audigy line (all) and never looks back. I had the Audigy 2 ZS and the chaintech beats it all over the head in the sound quality department. Things that the Audigy 2ZS miss out, the chaintech plays it through your speakers with pure sonic fidelity (for the price). Guitars, Pianos, cellos sound 10 times better than the Audigy 2 ZS. Pair this card with the audio player Foobar and hook it up to GOOD speakers, Klipsch 2.1, Klipsch Ultras etc and you will be smiling (once you stay away from mp3's). In the music department, the Audigy 2ZS is comprehensivly beaten by the Chaintech, no contest.
Games.
Not much to be said here. The Audigy 2ZS is STILL the best solution for games. Eax 4,0 and the EMU chipset used on the Audigy CANNOT be beaten FOR GAMES. The chaintech is no slouch here though. But, the Audigy comes up on top.
Movies.
The Audigy2ZS wins here too, but not by much.
Conclusion.
If you are a budding audiophile, or just looking for GOOD quality MUSIC on you rig, the Chaintech IS the way to go. THere is really NO contest between this and the Audigy (all) in the music department. The Audigy however, gets the slight edge in GAmes and movies. But for MUSIC the Envy24 chipset on teh Chiantech CANNOT be beaten at the moment. For MUSIC, the Envy24 Chipset on the Chaintech stands alone. Get this card, get good speakers or a receiver, put on music lay back and enjoy.
Pros
Superb musical ability (in stero), leaves Audigy2ZS and Fatality in the dust.
CHEAP!!!
Optical out to hook up to HOem theater receiver.
Cons.
Subpar game and movie performance.
Hard to find, not available in Triniadad, MUST order.
Need GOOD speakers.
Overall, I give ths card
For games 3 out of 5
For movies 3 out of 5
Music 5 out of 5
Overall 5 out of 5 ( I gave it 5 because I love music)
If you want a longer review just say and I will go in details.