I'd go with the Titanium because it is hardware emulated as the Z is software emulated. I have the fatal1ty edition with the white led on the side, it's basically the same card as the Titanium, but with the black cover and X-FI led lit up. Still using it since 2009, waiting for creative to come out with a better hardware emulated card before I upgrade. The Z is a subjective side grade so it won't really do me any good.

 

Great, thanks. I guess, the old saying, "don't judge a book by it's cover" applies both literally and figuratively

The Z looks much more refined with its cover and the metal connectors... who knew?

Thanks again +1

 

Did a bit of research and found this guy on google.

http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=376880

That said, I bought that same Soundblaster Z SBX here on OCN and I loved every second of it.

Edit: Everything I've read points to the SB Z SBX being better. The one qualm I have about it is that it has a red LED on the PCB. Can be annoying, but I'm just going to cover it up. Quality > Aesthetics imo.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by scatlm

Great, thanks. I guess, the old saying, "don't judge a book by it's cover" applies both literally and figuratively

The Z looks much more refined with its cover and the metal connectors... who knew?

Thanks again +1

I just bought a refurbished SBZ off of Amazon for $56 from Car audio dealers, and I'm actually pleased with what I got, and I was actually in luck as I actually received one from the earlier batch which includes the Nichicon Caps not those chinese lower quality ones in the later batches

 

Errr... I already ordered the X-Fi. I found an eBay seller that had a new one (open box) and I jumped on it for $50 shipped.

Meh.. I don't think I'd be able to tell the difference anyway. That thread on 3dguru sounds like a bunch of placebo induced hyperboly anyway.

 

Anytime Scat, appreciate the +1! Hope you enjoy the card!

Just make sure you play a crazy campaign like Battlefield or something with surround so you can really see the difference, It's truly amazing with the right speaker/headset set-up.

One last thing, make sure to see if the 598's require a headphone amp because I know my PC350's did. Hate to see you not be able to use your headphone's.

Take it easy and let me know how you like the card!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deceived

Anytime Scat, appreciate the +1! Hope you enjoy the card!

Just make sure you play a crazy campaign like Battlefield or something with surround so you can really see the difference, It's truly amazing with the right speaker/headset set-up.

One last thing, make sure to see if the 598's require a headphone amp because I know my PC350's did. Hate to see you not be able to use your headphone's.

Take it easy and let me know how you like the card!

This.

 

Thanks guys. Thankfully it doesn't take much to push the 598's, they're only 50 Ohm. But still, even low impedance headphones benefit from an amp or a good sound card. I usually hook them up to my stereo's receiver and they certainly sound better than my old onboard. We'll see how the X-Fi fairs, it should be much better than the onboard Realtek on my Asus.... I should be OK

I gave reps to all of you (if it even matters.)