Audigy1 with z-680's? Please help!

LoonySaint · Jul 23, 2004, 06:24 PM

Hi all!
I hope some of you audio guru's can help me with my query.

I have an original Audigy (OEM i believe) but I run the A2ZS (EAX4) drivers under XP and have never had any problems and performance has been great.

It has come to the point where i decided to chuck out my 2 speaker setup and invest in something better - having found a deal for the Logitech Z-680 speaker set at C$259.99 (which converts nicely into GBP).

Okay, firstly what features DONT i get on my original Audigy (running A2ZS drivers) that may affect the way these speakers work if any?

I know some users have 6.1 and 7.1 speaker setups but for a relatively small room will I even notice the difference (mainly playing games)

Also I have heard some rumours that the original Audigy had a crap digital out (DAC?) but i do have a digital cable lying around and i was going to use it to connect the Z-680 speaker set if i bought them. Is this a good idea or would I be better using the analog connections on my card?

And lastly, is it worth upgrading to an Audigy 2ZS to get the most from these speakers or will i see no real benefit.

Thankyou for your time!

**dj_stick** · Jul 23, 2004, 11:15 PM

ok the digital out of the audigy card will be the same as the audigy 2, as a DAC is NOT used (digtal to analogue converter)
important:using a single digital audio cable you will only ever send 2.0 signal to the speakers, unless it is a DVD or other dolby digital encoded source. You need 3 such cables for 5.1

and i really doubt there will be much difference from 5.1 to 6/7.1, as almost no gaqmes support such a large number of speakers - and 5.1 will be a huge step up from 2.0

afaik you will not lose any "features" compared to the a2zs

LoonySaint · Jul 24, 2004, 10:23 AM

Thankyou for the reply!

So what you are saying is use analogue cables (x3) or i wont get 5.1

Okay, turns out canadian company wont ship to me but i like the look of those speakers so i'm gonna look elsewhere.

Thx again!

RCOrdorica · Jul 28, 2004, 06:27 AM

The z-680's have a built in decoder and accepts a Coax input. You can connect your soundcard using Coax and the Z680 would know what to do with it. I personally have the Z 560's and i have to use the 3 analouge connections, and it works great too. But you should use the coax connector because it is all digital and better sounding (not to mention more tidy).

**dj_stick** · Jul 28, 2004, 07:15 AM

the coax connector will still only provide stereo sound, unless encoded in ac-3… so far the only soundcard that does this is the nforce 2 soundstorm… however DVDs and some .ac3 files are encoded in ac-3, and will work in 5.1 just fine through a coax s/pdif connection

magicpants · Jul 29, 2004, 07:31 AM

Thx for all the replies, good idea for that sticky too

So - the ONLY way I'm going to get 5.1 with this Audigy is with analogue, well thats clarified a few things

Bring On Doom3!

Jul 23, 2004, 06:24 PM	#1
LoonySaint DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Audigy1 with z-680's? Please help! Hi all! I hope some of you audio guru's can help me with my query. I have an original Audigy (OEM i believe) but I run the A2ZS (EAX4) drivers under XP and have never had any problems and performance has been great. It has come to the point where i decided to chuck out my 2 speaker setup and invest in something better - having found a deal for the Logitech Z-680 speaker set at C$259.99 (which converts nicely into GBP). Okay, firstly what features DONT i get on my original Audigy (running A2ZS drivers) that may affect the way these speakers work if any? I know some users have 6.1 and 7.1 speaker setups but for a relatively small room will I even notice the difference (mainly playing games) Also I have heard some rumours that the original Audigy had a crap digital out (DAC?) but i do have a digital cable lying around and i was going to use it to connect the Z-680 speaker set if i bought them. Is this a good idea or would I be better using the analog connections on my card? And lastly, is it worth upgrading to an Audigy 2ZS to get the most from these speakers or will i see no real benefit. Thankyou for your time!

Jul 24, 2004, 10:23 AM	Thread Starter #3
LoonySaint DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Thankyou for the reply! So what you are saying is use analogue cables (x3) or i wont get 5.1 Okay, turns out canadian company wont ship to me but i like the look of those speakers so i'm gonna look elsewhere. Thx again!

Jul 28, 2004, 06:27 AM	#4
RCOrdorica Windows Hacker Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: UCSD Posts: 56 Rep Power: 0	The z-680's have a built in decoder and accepts a Coax input. You can connect your soundcard using Coax and the Z680 would know what to do with it. I personally have the Z 560's and i have to use the 3 analouge connections, and it works great too. But you should use the coax connector because it is all digital and better sounding (not to mention more tidy).

Jul 29, 2004, 07:31 AM	#6
magicpants DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0	Thx for all the replies, good idea for that sticky too So - the ONLY way I'm going to get 5.1 with this Audigy is with analogue, well thats clarified a few things Bring On Doom3!