Using a new 2.1 speaker setup with a very old Live card. Thoughts and suggestions?

mkk · Dec 28, 2003, 06:52 AM

I have ordered a 2.1 speaker system (Logitech Z-2200) that should finally let me enjoy audio at some level of decent quality. However my SB-Live card is about 4 years old so I was thinking about replacing it too. But then I read on the kX-Project (whose drivers I'm already using) about the possibility of getting improved output to a stereo-system (wich 2.1 essentially is), by hooking up the cord to the rear channel and use the kX mixer setting to make the rear act as the front. (http://kxproject.lugosoft.com/rear.php?language=en) It seems especially nice since I wouldn't be looking for a very expensive soundcard to replace the old one anyway, but I wonder how far it could really carry.

Would it for instance be a good idea to buy a newly made SB-Live card to replace the 4-years old one? Apart from some intermittent crackling (that could also be related to my current crappy speakers) I have no real issues with the old card, but anyway. After all one can get a SB-Live 5.1 for "no money" and I guess that there is no competing product at a similar cost that would be much better. I would appreciate any ideas about this, as long as it doesn't incorporate buying an expensive soundcard.

Thanks to the kX-Project guys by the way. If it weren't for you I wouldn't be thinking about keeping my Live card, let alone buying any another Creative card to replace the old.

tek · Dec 28, 2003, 06:53 AM

Can't help you on the soundcard, but I'm thinking hard into buying those speakers myself.

How much did you pay and where?

lol, thanks and I'm sorry I cant help you I'm not very smart with soundcards!

mkk · Dec 28, 2003, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tek
How much did you pay and where?

I bet the place in Sweden from where I ordered them would not be one of the better places for you to place an order. Having a look at www.pricewatch.com and making a search for "logitech 2200" turns up two US places, though I have no idea of how good the firms are. Look around, these babies should be around a little everywhere, being from Logitech and in a medium price range. I'm sure they are a good buy too, even if I haven't heard them yet.

RIV@NVX · Dec 29, 2003, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mkk
Thanks to the kX-Project guys by the way. If it weren't for you I wouldn't be thinking about keeping my Live card, let alone buying any another Creative card to replace the old.

I can't say how much I agree with this!

Anyway, I doubt you would get much improvement by buying new Live card; I suggest you to keep this one if it works good for you.

mkk · Dec 29, 2003, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RIV@NVX
Anyway, I doubt you would get much improvement by buying new Live card; I suggest you to keep this one if it works good for you.

I guess I'll do that, or maybe try a new Live card only if this crackling persist. But I would probably do best to save up to get a brand new full featured soundcard of fair quality next year. Perhaps then there may be some EMU10K2-based soundcard other than Creatives that is affordable. (would actually pay a little extra in order to avoid Creative) So that I can keep using the kX Project to ensure decent driver support I mean.

RIV@NVX · Dec 30, 2003, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mkk
I guess I'll do that, or maybe try a new Live card only if this crackling persist. But I would probably do best to save up to get a brand new full featured soundcard of fair quality next year. Perhaps then there may be some EMU10K2-based soundcard other than Creatives that is affordable. (would actually pay a little extra in order to avoid Creative) So that I can keep using the kX Project to ensure decent driver support I mean.

Yeah, but I am sure you will be disappointed if you switch from kX to something else. I have yet to find a driver which is for so cheap soundcards, and as functional as kX.

Dec 28, 2003, 06:52 AM	#1
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,384 Rep Power: 120 System Specs	Using a new 2.1 speaker setup with a very old Live card. Thoughts and suggestions? I have ordered a 2.1 speaker system (Logitech Z-2200) that should finally let me enjoy audio at some level of decent quality. However my SB-Live card is about 4 years old so I was thinking about replacing it too. But then I read on the kX-Project (whose drivers I'm already using) about the possibility of getting improved output to a stereo-system (wich 2.1 essentially is), by hooking up the cord to the rear channel and use the kX mixer setting to make the rear act as the front. (http://kxproject.lugosoft.com/rear.php?language=en) It seems especially nice since I wouldn't be looking for a very expensive soundcard to replace the old one anyway, but I wonder how far it could really carry. Would it for instance be a good idea to buy a newly made SB-Live card to replace the 4-years old one? Apart from some intermittent crackling (that could also be related to my current crappy speakers) I have no real issues with the old card, but anyway. After all one can get a SB-Live 5.1 for "no money" and I guess that there is no competing product at a similar cost that would be much better. I would appreciate any ideas about this, as long as it doesn't incorporate buying an expensive soundcard. Thanks to the kX-Project guys by the way. If it weren't for you I wouldn't be thinking about keeping my Live card, let alone buying any another Creative card to replace the old.

Dec 28, 2003, 06:53 AM	#2
tek DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, US Posts: 2,103 Rep Power: 0	Can't help you on the soundcard, but I'm thinking hard into buying those speakers myself. How much did you pay and where? lol, thanks and I'm sorry I cant help you I'm not very smart with soundcards! __________________ [COLOR=White][/COLOR]