There are 9 sound cards in this category:
- Creative SB128 (ES1371)
- Turtle Beach Systems (TBS) MultiSound Tahiti
- Creative SB Live! 5.1 Digital (SB0220)
- Turtle Beach Systems (TBS) MultiSound Classic
- Genius SoundMaker 32X
- Turtle Beach Systems (TBS) Montego II
- Turtle Beach Systems (TBS) Montego
- TerraTec EWS64S
- Diamond Monster MX300
Creative SB128 (ES1371)
A revision of ES1370 to accept AC'97-compatible audio converters. One
linear output, one linear input, one microphone input. Creative 1297 (CT1297)
audio converters which are relabelled TriTech TR28602 ones. Supports playback
and recording at up to 48000Hz. Built using an ES1373 chip. No hardware
wavetable MIDI synthesiser.
The linear input is hard to tune, it produces terrible distortions if
calibrated improperly (overloaded). A very good consumer-level sound card
priced accordingly.
Turtle Beach Systems (TBS) MultiSound Tahiti
An ISA sound card made in 1994. One linear output, one linear input, one
auxiliary input. Crystal 4328 (CS4328) and 5336 (CS5336) audio converters.
Supports playback and recording at 11025Hz, 22050Hz and 44100Hz. Uses a
Motorola DSP560001 for effect-processing. No wavetable MIDI synthesiser. A
WaveBlaster header for an optional MIDI daughterboard.
A very good sound card.
By the way, this sound card has delivered the best THD result among all 17
sound cards tested.
Creative SB Live! 5.1 Digital (SB0220)
A PCI sound card made in 2004. Three linear outputs (the third one can be
switched to a coaxial S/PDIF output), one linear input, one microphone input.
SigmaTel 9758 (STAC9758) audio converters. Supports playback and recording at
up to 48000Hz. Based upon a Creative EMU10K1 chip. No hardware wavetable MIDI
synthesiser.
The linear input is hard to tune, it produces terrible distortions if
calibrated improperly (overloaded). A good sound card to satisfy most
non-professional needs.
Turtle Beach Systems (TBS) MultiSound Classic
An ISA sound card made in 1993. One linear output, one linear input, one
auxiliary input. Crystal 4328 (CS4328) and 5336 (CS5336) audio converters.
Supports playback and recording at 11025Hz, 22050Hz and 44100Hz. Uses a
Motorola DSP560001 for effect-processing. E-mu Proteus 1/XR MIDI synthesiser
(32 voices, 4Mb proprietary waveset installed).
A very good sound card with a professional MIDI synthesiser.
Genius SoundMaker 32X
A PCI sound card made in 2000. One linear output, one linear input, one
microphone input. Crystal 4297A (CS4297A) audio converters. Supports playback
and recording at up to 48000Hz. May have an on-board amplifier to be enabled
using jumpers. No wavetable MIDI synthesiser.
A good inexpensive sound card for regular use with a very good driver
support.
Turtle Beach Systems (TBS) Montego II
A PCI sound card made in 1999. One linear output, one linear input, one
microphone input. SigmaTel 9704 (STAC9704) audio converters. Supports playback
and recording at up to 48000Hz. Based upon an Aureal Vortex 2 (Au8830) chip
which also acts as a MIDI synthesiser (64 voices, 4Mb GS waveset in main
memory). A WaveBlaster header for an optional MIDI daughterboard. May be used
for optical S/PDIF playback and recording with an optional companion card.
A good sound card for regular and gaming use.
Turtle Beach Systems (TBS) Montego
A PCI sound card made in 1999. One linear output, one linear input, one
microphone input. SigmaTel 9701 (STAC9701) audio converters. Supports playback
and recording at up to 48000Hz. Based upon an Aureal Vortex (Au8820) chip
which also acts as a MIDI synthesiser (64 voices, 4Mb GS waveset in main
memory). A WaveBlaster header for an optional MIDI daughterboard. May be used
for optical S/PDIF playback and recording with an optional companion card.
A good sound card for regular and gaming use.
TerraTec EWS64S
An ISA sound card made in 1997. Two linear outputs, one linear input, one
microphone input. Analog Devices 1816 (AD1816) audio converters. Supports
playback and recording at up to 48000Hz. Uses a DREAM DSP (SAM9407) for
effect-processing and MIDI synthesis (64 voices, up to 64Mb of memory can be
installed in one 72-pin SIMM to store samples).
A good sound card with a poor driver support, and there is no
documentation on the DREAM DSP available.
Diamond Monster MX300
A PCI sound card made in 1998. Two linear outputs, one linear input, one
microphone input. SigmaTel 9708 (STAC9708) audio converters. Supports playback
and recording at up to 48000Hz. Based upon an Aureal Vortex2 (Au8830) chip
which also acts as a MIDI synthesiser (64 voices, 4Mb GS waveset in main
memory). A WaveBlaster header for an optional MIDI daughterboard.
A good sound card for regular and gaming use.