Terratec vs. M-Audio
So many sound cards, so little time.
I need help deciding which one would be best for me. What I'm looking at is the Audiophile 2496 and a few Terratec products. The Audiophile seems to be a pretty popular card and has good features, but Terratec has stepped up and announced OS X support for their "4Gsound" cards. Haven't seen the drivers yet, but I suspect they are probably waiting for Jaguar to be released. The Audiophile also needs a driver update to work in 10.2.
This card is going to be hooked up to a receiver and speakers for the sound system. What I want is 5.1 support, 5-channel, audio i/o, stereo i/o, MIDI i/o, 24/96, and headphone jack.
<a href="http://audiomidi.com/common/cfm/product.cfm?Product_ID=962" target="_blank">Audiophile 2496</a>
The Terratec DMX 6fire looks good, with it's 5.25" breakout box that can be front mounted in a dive bay, but I believe also can be used externally. This would be a winner if my G4 had 2 full size bays, but I'm wondering if it's worth it since I don't have them.
<a href="http://www.terratec.net/products/6fire/nav_6fire.htm" target="_blank">DMX 6fire</a>
There is also the version w/o the breakout box:
<a href="http://www.terratec.net/products/6fire/nav_6fire.htm" target="_blank">6fire LT</a>
<a href="http://www.terratec.net/products/ews88d/nav_ews88d.htm" target="_blank">Terratec EWS88 D</a>
If there are any other good OS X solutions, feel free to suggest.
I need help deciding which one would be best for me. What I'm looking at is the Audiophile 2496 and a few Terratec products. The Audiophile seems to be a pretty popular card and has good features, but Terratec has stepped up and announced OS X support for their "4Gsound" cards. Haven't seen the drivers yet, but I suspect they are probably waiting for Jaguar to be released. The Audiophile also needs a driver update to work in 10.2.
This card is going to be hooked up to a receiver and speakers for the sound system. What I want is 5.1 support, 5-channel, audio i/o, stereo i/o, MIDI i/o, 24/96, and headphone jack.
<a href="http://audiomidi.com/common/cfm/product.cfm?Product_ID=962" target="_blank">Audiophile 2496</a>
The Terratec DMX 6fire looks good, with it's 5.25" breakout box that can be front mounted in a dive bay, but I believe also can be used externally. This would be a winner if my G4 had 2 full size bays, but I'm wondering if it's worth it since I don't have them.
<a href="http://www.terratec.net/products/6fire/nav_6fire.htm" target="_blank">DMX 6fire</a>
There is also the version w/o the breakout box:
<a href="http://www.terratec.net/products/6fire/nav_6fire.htm" target="_blank">6fire LT</a>
<a href="http://www.terratec.net/products/ews88d/nav_ews88d.htm" target="_blank">Terratec EWS88 D</a>
If there are any other good OS X solutions, feel free to suggest.
Comments
<strong>What do you think of those other cards I listed?</strong><hr></blockquote>
I'd go with the Audiophile. Lots of users and good quality. Mac drivers for some time.
Terratec just started writing Mac drivers for the first time. Dangerous, if you ask me.
Don't know about the others
Only problem is, I don't see Mac compatibility listed, let alone OSX.
DMX 6fire LT Audio Card Introduced
June 15, 2002 -- TerraTec Electronic now has a "little brother"to the DMX 6fire 24/96 in the mid-range market segment. With the DMX 6fire LT-which is also based on "4G Sound" technology-DVD fans will be able to enjoy their sound to the fullest with six-channel (5.1) playback in outstanding 24-bit quality. Of course, this also includes full compatibility to audio standards for games and music. The DMX 6fire LT is now available.
The DMX 6fire LT offers 4G sound based on the EWX/EWS88 technology: 24-bit/96 kHz converters for all inputs and outputs offer a signal-to-noise ratio better than -104 dB/A. The MXR module that fits into a slot next to the card offers additional connection options. Besides the stereo inputs and outputs for digital devices (optical), the MXR module also features a connection for a microphone.
The DMX 6Fire LT will also attract the interest of gamers with its default support for Sensaura 3D with EAX, A3D, DirectSound and MacroFX. And then there's trouble-free support for software DVD players, AC3 and DTS output via the digital ports, and complete support for all current Windows operating systems from 98 SE to XP with WDM drivers. A broad range of applications will get you started right away: from DVD players to audio editors and a virtual record studio, everything you need for work and play is included in the package. Specifically, these are: Cyberlink Power DVD 3.0- 6 Channel, Steinberg WaveLab Lite 2.0, Musicmatch Jukebox and Emagic Logic FUN 4.8.
Key features:
* 3 analog stereo outputs (3.5 mm jack) with up to 24-bit and 96-kHz signal processing.
* 1 analog stereo input (3.5 mm jack) with up to 24-bit and 96-kHz signal processing.
* 1 digital stereo input and output (optical) with up to 24-bit and 96-kHz signal processing.
* High-quality microphone input (3.5 mm jack) with up to 24-bit and 96-kHz signal processing.
* Better than -104 dB/A signal-to-noise ratio through the use of high-quality converters and circuit design.
* AC3 and DTS streams from a software DVD player can be directed, for example, to an external Dolby digital decoder via digital outputs.
* Sensaura 3D implementation, compatible with A3D 1.0, Macro FX and EAX 1.0/2.0
* Support for ASIO 2.0, GSIF (GigaStudio) and DirectSound (3D).
* WDM drivers for Windows 98SE, ME/2000 and Windows XP.
What I want is to be able to plug in receiver, headphones, and a mic. Will this do that for me? I notice I can have 2 front USB ports on my G4 with this now (plus), I'd just have to buy the zip bezel and do it. The DMX 6fire 24/96 is a no-go since I don't have an extra 5.25" drive bay for all those lovely features.
This card will do 6 channels (5.1), apparently the Audiophile 2496 won't. It's also around $150 or less (I've got a budget here).
So should I go for this?
<a href="http://audiomidi.com/common/cfm/product.cfm?Product_ID=655" target="_blank">EWS88D</a>
That card might be better than the 6fire LT, what do you guys think?
The Audiophile 2496 should work for stereo output, yes.