Xonar D2 vs X-Fi Bravura 7.1

[Feronix]

Title says it all! I'm in doubt between the Asus Xonar D2 and Auzentech Bravura 7.1

From what I've read they are both great cards and they both fit my budget. Now, I'm not a professional musician and I'm not really going to do much with sound editing on my machine (it's more implemented with the video editing that I do).
I have one PCI-E 16x slot free on my mobo, which is where the Auzentech would fit in (Even though it's 1x, but this is supposed to work, right?). I also have 2 legacy PCI slots left, which is where the Asus card could go.
I'm not really sure as to wether it matters for the sound quality what kind of slot you use but they're about the same price and I really just want the best for my money.

I know literally nothing about sound cards and this is going to be the first one that I'm going to buy, so I could use some advice here!

All I really need it to have is a standard 3.5mm jack for my current speakers (trust me, they are really good. I don't need a home cinema set), and same for the front panel connector header (internal). They both have all the other options that I'm looking for.

Do you guys have any experience with either of the cards/brands? Does it matter much if it uses a PCI or PCI-E 1x connection with sounds cards? Please help me out here people!

Thanks in advance!

 

[tinytomlogan]

Ive got the D2X ..... Its epic.

 

[SuB]

Ive had an X-Fi Prelude from Auzentech for years and i swore by it heart and soul. I have to recommend the Auzen card based on this.

With regards to pxi-ex vs pci, i believe there is some scp (snap crackle and pop) issues with pci and some sound cards, I haven't noticed any issues with an x-fi based on pci-ex 1 at all. So truthfully, it's difficult to say.

And yes, the x1 will sit in an x16 slot just fine, (my x-fi is sat in one )

 

[Feronix]

Thanks for the responses guys!

Tom, that one is just a tad bit over my budget, but if it's really worth it...? Though once again, I'm not a professional sound editor. Could you add it to the poll anyway?

SuB, in the review of the Xonar I didn't really read anything about scp. Is this an issue with some of the cards, or with PCI slots in general? I rather not risk that, would rather go with the Auzentech then However a card with with PCI would be convenient cause with my board layout, a PCI-E 1x card would kinda block the airflow to my graphics card xD

 

[Topham]

If your looking to get a D2, D2X is the same price if not couple £'s more. http://www.scan.co.uk/shop/computer-hardware/all/soundcards/internal-sound-cards. Just checking now D2x is less than D2. I have bought D2X is a birthday pressie as thats he only thing i can buy atm along with Roccat Kave's. Im impressed really impressed.

 

[Feronix]

The D2X is about €15,- more where I live (that's only like.. 10 quid though) but if they are the same cards except for the connection, I'd rather go with the D2 and keep my second PCI-E 16x slot free for further expansion

I've had a quick look on the internet and I couldn't really find any other differences, or at least differences of which I know what they mean

Can anyone tell me what the difference is and what advantage that gives one card over the other?

Remember, I'm still considering the Auzentech as well! (Saves me €25,-)
Thanks guys!

 

[Topham]

There isnt any difference really part from the connection type. Ive got the D2X to future proof untill it breaks. More PCIe slots tend to be more of a trend on the newer card. if u were going to dual GPU's on this Mobo Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H Intel Z77 lower end Z77 card and a EVGA 151-IB-E699-KR Intel Z77 (just an example here to prove my point), where will u put the D2 as there is no available PCI slot or slot be covered by 2nd GPU? where as with D2X u can put on the very top PCIe 2x1 slot .

 

[Topham]

My previoous post was just a pro/con for PCI vs PCIe connection. Just using D2 and D2X as card types.

 

[Feronix]

Yeah, I guess you're right but this is a hackintosh build (Dual boot with Win7) and it uses a Ga-Z77-UD3H, which doesn't have the top PCI-E 1x slot. I'm not using the bottom PCI-E 16x slot for a graphics card cause it's only wired as 4x and this very rig isn't a gaming pc anyway. It's more of an editing build for my video's

I also want to install a Hauppage Colossus in the future, so that could go in the bottom 16x slot keeping one slot free between the GPU and the colossus.
To visualise it:

[PCI-E 16x slot] - Video card in here
[PCI-E 1x slot] - Dual slot GPU, so yeh
[PCI-E 1x slot] - Keep this free for airflow
[PCI-E 16x slot] - Hauppage Colossus
[Legacy PCI slot] - Keep this free
[Legacy PCI slot] - Asus D2

OR

[PCI-E 16x slot] - Video card in here
[PCI-E 1x slot] - Dual slot GPU
[PCI-E 1x slot] - Hauppage Colussus (smaller card than Asus, blocks less airflow)
[PCI-E 16x slot] - Asus D2X / Auzentech X-Fi Bravura
[Legacy PCI slot] - Empty
[Legacy PCI slot] - Empty

 

[Excalabur50]

The Auzen cards are good but depending which country you are in they can be a bit slack with warranty as I know a couple of people whom have had issues, where as you generally can't go wrong with Asus' warranty.