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Introduced in 2003, this card is somewhat obsolete by now, however still doing much better than recent X-Fi USB solutions. What interests me, that this card doesn't have any DSP processor. The DSP actually give you for example CPU-Free processing, hardware FX support and Treble/Bass functionality in windows kmixer. Sadly, this card doesn't have one. What was also little disappointing, that the card drains immersive amount of power (approx. 5W - 5V 1A) and gets hot quickly. When using external adapter, this is usually not a problem, but when using batteries (4xAA 2000mAh), the unit will lasts only for 2 hours. Compared to SB Live 24bit External with 0.7W, this one has definitely the greatest power consumption. About its functionality, it's not so different from mentioned SB Live 24bit External (SB0490). Although it supports USB 2.0, has optical in, 7.1 support, Dolby Digital decoding and support for older systems like 98/ME. When it comes to recording features, the ASIO driver wasn't supplied. But the USB ASIO driver from SB0490 can be used. At 24/96 it can hit pretty good latencies like 2-3ms in duplex mode without so much pops and gliches. However it is not working well with Asio4All. Midi support is also good, using SoundFont Bank Manager, you can load samples from another SB cards. The supplied banks are not so good. I prefer samples from Audigy 2 ZS. The package also contains remote controller. Its functionality, however, is software based. At least for most of its functions. Microphone preamplifier gives very good results, much better than one on my Audigy 2 ZS. Volume control also makes broadcasting easier than before, but this one is also software based. I'm giving out rating 4/5 because this card, even with some minor problems, it still much better than the X-Fi USB cards on today's market. There are better USB solutions of course, but I think this one is the best consumer soundcard from Creative.Read full review
When I bought a new laptop I found out that the slot PCMCIA is no longer presented on the new models. So my old (and awesome) sound card Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZX Notebook became useless; in order to revitalize my 7.1 sound system I needed to find an alternative sound card, preferrably, a USB-based one, as this standard seems to remain in operation for a long time further. My new card is pretty good. Yes, it heats, but but not excessively - 42 degrees by Celsius is the surrounding temperature while it works. Software for Windows 7 is available, although comparing to Windows XP version may seem abridged. I am sorry that here I don't provide a comprehensive analysis of technical characteristics, I just have no time for this; all I can say is that I solved a problem and again can enjoy 7.1 sound. Thank you for your attention and good luck!Read full review
I bought the sound card many years ago. Listened to great sound from it with no problems. Then decided to stop using it at that time and disconnected it and put it away for for a period of time. A couple of years later and using a different computer I decided to use it again. When I plugged the card in, the blue power light and the red mute light, stayed on and I can’t figure out how to take the mute light off. I decided to buy another one and found it on eBay. I’m living in Canada and the card is in California. After paying $80 us plus tax and shipping,and a charge for crossing the border. All total in the end I payed $140 Canadian. Lol Received it 3 weeks later and couldn’t wait to set it up again. When I plugged it in the same light came on. Lol So now I’m thinking there is no problem with the sound card and the mute button will come off when the program is installed . So fingers crossed that is the problem. Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated. I guess one good thing from it is that now I have lots of spare parts. LolRead full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
One of the best sound card models, both in listening experience and audio input via mic. This one is the USB external sound card and I bought it for use with windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7. However, the Creative Sound Blaster Company will not have plans for providing drivers for this sound card in windows 8, and subsequent windows versions (except only Audigy 4). As audiophile, I noted that the Audigy lines (2 and 4) have been the best that Creative Sound Blaster Company ever made. This USB Sound Card is not an exception, and I love it.
This is Classic very Unique SB Live with Surround. One of a kind.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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