G5 is a USB card. And I’d argue that’s the best approach, as sound signal being analog is highly susceptible to interference, and insides of a computer have a lot of that.
On board is easier and for any audio enthusiast, sounds like trash by comparison.
I have yet to meet an onboard audio solution that didn’t give you garbage in the output. Whether it’s coil whine, a low hiss or a 60hz him, there’s always something.
Onboard, in my experience also distorts way earlier into the volume slider by comparison.
I always hear interference, especially from a mouse, in onboard audio.
I’m happy you haven’t had this problem, but I consider that to be an outlier in the grand scheme of things.
I’d also be willing to bet you have the problem but just haven’t noticed it. Which is fine. If the issue isn’t one you have noticed, and you’re fine with onboard, go ham. Have fun. That’s not me though.
Take a look at your board. How many sources of interference do you see? Historically a lot of the board was analog. Now they are digital. Unless your board is a fire hazard that shouldn’t happen. It just isn’t how it works. If USB affects audio you machine is probably toast and fuses should of blown.
Considering how many systems I’ve heard this on, not just my own, and how long I’ve been able to hear it, no. Definitely not.
Some newer boards have gotten wise to the issue and generally shield or provide an exclusion area around audio carrying circuits. Not all of them do it.
Above and beyond that, the amps used are generally crap and distort at high volume levels, so no matter how good your headphones are, the audio always sounds like hot trash at high volume levels regardless of pretty much everything else.
My AG06 costs as much as a cheap motherboard. There’s no doubt that the audio hardware, designed and produced by Yamaha, a well known name in audio equipment, had been built with better components than you’ll find in your average onboard audio solution, and with more attention to detail about interference sources.
Considering the AG06 is on their low end of equipment, compared to some stuff out there, it’s complete trash. There are audio interfaces and headphone amps that cost 5-10x what I paid for the AG06, and some that cost more. I promise you they sound better than my dinky little audio interface/mixer.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, if you’re happy with your audio solution, cool. Use it. I’m not here to judge you for what you like. For those who hear the distortion and interference from onboard audio, they already know what I’m talking about and likely have their own audio setup which eliminates any trouble they might have with their onboard audio. As long as they’re happy with theirs, cool, they should use it.
I’m happy with mine.
Please don’t argue that the problem doesn’t exist because your limited experience hasn’t noticed it. That kind of subjective anecdotal evidence proves nothing beyond the fact that you don’t have a problem with your setup.
That’s cool. But don’t tell me that it’s not a problem just because you don’t have that problem.
Still running Creative SoundBlasterX G5
Amazing card, and the series is very much alive
I wonder what would happen if you tried to run a soundblaster 16 on Linux. Would it work and how shitty would the sound quality be?
No idea honestly :D
The modern G5 runs perfectly alright though.
Why? Also isn’t that a PCI card not a PCIe card? I don’t do much audio but it seems like on board would be easier
G5 is a USB card. And I’d argue that’s the best approach, as sound signal being analog is highly susceptible to interference, and insides of a computer have a lot of that.
That feels like a myth from the 90s
Nah, actually experienced it with random internal cards and decided to play it safe.
Can’t say for all internal sound cards though, there can absolutely be ones that don’t have the issue.
On board is easier and for any audio enthusiast, sounds like trash by comparison.
I have yet to meet an onboard audio solution that didn’t give you garbage in the output. Whether it’s coil whine, a low hiss or a 60hz him, there’s always something.
Onboard, in my experience also distorts way earlier into the volume slider by comparison.
But yeah, onboard is much easier.
I haven’t had that in well over 10 years
I always hear interference, especially from a mouse, in onboard audio.
I’m happy you haven’t had this problem, but I consider that to be an outlier in the grand scheme of things.
I’d also be willing to bet you have the problem but just haven’t noticed it. Which is fine. If the issue isn’t one you have noticed, and you’re fine with onboard, go ham. Have fun. That’s not me though.
Take a look at your board. How many sources of interference do you see? Historically a lot of the board was analog. Now they are digital. Unless your board is a fire hazard that shouldn’t happen. It just isn’t how it works. If USB affects audio you machine is probably toast and fuses should of blown.
Considering how many systems I’ve heard this on, not just my own, and how long I’ve been able to hear it, no. Definitely not.
Some newer boards have gotten wise to the issue and generally shield or provide an exclusion area around audio carrying circuits. Not all of them do it.
Above and beyond that, the amps used are generally crap and distort at high volume levels, so no matter how good your headphones are, the audio always sounds like hot trash at high volume levels regardless of pretty much everything else.
My AG06 costs as much as a cheap motherboard. There’s no doubt that the audio hardware, designed and produced by Yamaha, a well known name in audio equipment, had been built with better components than you’ll find in your average onboard audio solution, and with more attention to detail about interference sources.
Considering the AG06 is on their low end of equipment, compared to some stuff out there, it’s complete trash. There are audio interfaces and headphone amps that cost 5-10x what I paid for the AG06, and some that cost more. I promise you they sound better than my dinky little audio interface/mixer.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, if you’re happy with your audio solution, cool. Use it. I’m not here to judge you for what you like. For those who hear the distortion and interference from onboard audio, they already know what I’m talking about and likely have their own audio setup which eliminates any trouble they might have with their onboard audio. As long as they’re happy with theirs, cool, they should use it.
I’m happy with mine.
Please don’t argue that the problem doesn’t exist because your limited experience hasn’t noticed it. That kind of subjective anecdotal evidence proves nothing beyond the fact that you don’t have a problem with your setup.
That’s cool. But don’t tell me that it’s not a problem just because you don’t have that problem.