SB Live 1024 vs NF7-s Soundstorm for 2 channel output.. Which is best?

[niels007]

Hey all,

I've been using this SB Live 'value' or '1024' (I think its the 1024) for about 4 years, hooked up to my stereo which is a pretty decent Rotel amp and a pair of selfmade kit speakers. This sounds a lot better than any 'pc speaker' will ever do. I can get a Abit NF7-S soundstorm equiped mainboard practically for free, but I don't feel like rebuilding my pc when all I will gain is a few mhz FSB (Asus a7n8x-x now).

I've searched the web and the general idea is that soundstorm is 'better', however I'm only using 2 channels, no 5.1 stuff, and decent hifi components. So judgements made by people with Logitech or Creative speakers really don't have to mean a lot.

Can someone point me to a 'true' comparison between these 2 sound boards or shed some light on the situation? Frequency response, noise level, and most of all quality of Digital to Analog circuits.

If the general view is that Soundstorm is better I'll have more than a few mhz FSB for a reason to spend an evening rebuilding the pc

Thanx
Niels

[steven975]

if using the analog outs, the live is better.

if using digital out, it is a draw (no 5.1 needed).

[niels007]

Thanks for that, the more I read the clearer it gets: digital out is good, analog out is bad.. Perhaps I should start saving for a M-Audio Audiophile 2496 for the best DAC that doesn't require me to get a 2nd mortgage