soundblaster live

[spigidygak]

I've been looking for a soundblaster live (regular edition, not value, mp3+, gamer, or platinum) The best price I have found is $139.00. I was wondering if anyone knows of a better price.

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And at band camp. . . http://www.geocities.com/bandtour99

[ProMinx]

ouch...that price would be a rip off! I bought my SB live (the same card you're talking about) for 46 dollars before delivery. That 139 is horrible. I'll do some looking around for you. Give me until the end of the evening (there will probably be a dozen other responses by then) to find a very good price. Later.
ProMinx

[Sprinterp]

Here is what you are looking for $36.00+ 12 shipping
http://www.memorymedia.com/cgi-bin/webcart/webcart.cgi?CONFIG=mountain&RET=50&RCATS=Sound+~+Sound+Boards&FIRST_TIME=Yes&START=1&OCATS=Sound+~+Sound+Boards&DOSEARCH=YES&CODE=250

[spigidygak]

Sorry sprintterm, but that is the value edition, I want to get the original that is retailed around $160. Thanks for the great deal anyhow.

[ProMinx]

gotcha what i promised. I got this one from compgeeks.com (which is where i bought mine a while back). This one runs for $51.95, and they have another one (same link minus the "c" at the end) that runs $54.95, but i'm not sure what the friggin difference is. Oh well; these things don't include the shipping price though, but it's still better than the other prices.
http://www.compgeeks.com/cgi-bin/details.asp?cat=MultiMedia&sku=205-4620C

ProMinx

[Thorin78]

that board from compgeeks doesn't include the digital I/O board. That's why it's cheaper

[muffdivr]

check out mypcparts.com
thats al local store in san diego but i think they mail stuff out too

[spigidygak]

Thanks for looking prominx, but that card doesn't have to i/o board, which I want, plus its a "whitebox" so I don't get the software either (which is probably useless though).

[ProMinx]

ok guys, read the friggin board info. It includes all of the ports that are on my card. It does include the I/O board, but it doesn't mention it as a separate card. Look at how many ports it includes and ask yourself how they would fit all of those on one card. (and it didn't claim to come with the software when i bought it, but it was included anyway; if it doesn't include it...just e-mail me and i'll burn you a copy and send it your way via snail mail (you can cover shipping, but it won't be that high for a single CD).
ProMinx

[Gonif_2000]

Be aware that the "regular" version of the Soundblaster Live does not have an optical (TosLink) I/O.

If you're thinking about MiniDisc recording, you need the optical. The digital I/O that normally comes with the SB is a S/PDIF for coaxial digital connections to a receiver or amplified speakers.

What you CAN do if you need TosLink capabilities is to buy the SB Live Value OEM unit, which has a S/PDIF connection built into the card, and additionally, has a header for the digital I/O which you can hook up to an addon I/O board made by Hoontech. They make several models, the cheapest with TosLink output only is about $15, and the one with complete inputs and outputs is about $35.

Do a websearch on Hoontech, and you'll find an english version of their webpage. Then, check out their distributor link to find the outfit in Washington state that sells them.

I bought a unit from them, they're reputable.

BTW, other than the daughterboard that comes with the full SBLive, there is no difference in the DSP capabilities between the Value and the Full. They're identical.

The newer versions of the SBLive Platinum is available with the "Live Drive II" which also has optical I/O, but the cost for just the LiveDrive is more than you'll spend on the Value+Hoontech combo.

Looking at the listing at CompuGeeks that ProMinx posted, it appears to be a regular SBLive without the daughterboard. The extra inputs that are referenced are physically located on the circuit board, not on the end header. The outside connectors are for line in, line out, mic in and speaker out, and a joystick/midi port. The Value OEM includes a S/PDIF (yellow connector), which I believe functions as both an input and output for coaxial digital. Again, NO version of the SBLive card was ever shipped with a TOSLink optical, only with the Live Drive II did this feature appear.

[This message has been edited by Gonif_2000 (edited 05-07-2000).]

[ProMinx]

i didn't mean to sound snappy if that is how i came across (sorry).
ProMinx

[ProMinx]

and not to be too defensive, but the card that i mentioned did include a spdif digital in port.
ProMinx

[spigidygak]

I took a closer look and it looks like you're right prominx. So I took your word for it and I am going to ordered the card. Thanks again prominx, mad props to ya, and don't worry about sounding a little snappy. Also, gonif_2000 thanks for the info about the toslink, I am planing to still order the live drive II because the inputs will be in the front which is more convient. Even if the price is more, plus I'm sure one of us will find a good price on it ;0. Thanks again to all that helped out, I really appreciate it. Also, just in case, anyone know of what the differences are of the the "c" and "non-c" product why they are a few dollars different. Maybe I should ask the retailer. . .

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And at band camp. . . http://www.geocities.com/bandtour99

[This message has been edited by spigidygak (edited 05-07-2000).]

[ProMinx]

i have a mini-disc player, and i do just fine going from my computer to my stereo system to my portable minidisc player. I've only had the mini-disc a short time though, so i might eventually get sick of the extra wiring. Who knows?
ProMinx

[hot_apex]

Uh, registered just to ask a few questions (not everyone had an email address posted). I'd like to know the differences between the SB live and SB live value, specific audio/digital ins and outs, which SB cards on the compgeeks page will work with the Hoontech (SB DB II), and what was the included software?

Thanks

[spigidygak]

From what I know, the sb live and value are different from the number of inputs and outputs. The "regular" live edition has an extra "daughter card" (not the live drive I or II). I don't know that much about the Hoontech card, but from what it appears, it is theoretically capable of working with any of the sb live cards, but they have confirmed it to work with the sb live value. I hope this helps you a little.

[ProMinx]

ok, my small piece of help is that the software that was included with my card was the CD full of drivers and other software as created by Creative Labs.
Gotta run to class now.
ProMinx

[spigidygak]

Okay, I got the whole low down on the "c" version at compgeeks. Apparently the "c" version is a cosmetic defect version that has been refurbished. The non-"c" is perfect, un-open, and comes in bulk from creative labs. So this is what distinguishes the $3.00 price difference. And Prominx, thanks to you I now have a sb Live! coming in the mail to me. Thanks again to all that helped me out.

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And at band camp. . . http://www.geocities.com/bandtour99

[ProMinx]

always happy to help
ProMinx

[crash]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ProMinx:
ok guys, read the friggin board info. It includes all of the ports that are on my card. It does include the I/O board, but it doesn't mention it as a separate card. Look at how many ports it includes and ask yourself how they would fit all of those on one card. (and it didn't claim to come with the software when i bought it, but it was included anyway; if it doesn't include it...just e-mail me and i'll burn you a copy and send it your way via snail mail (you can cover shipping, but it won't be that high for a single CD).
ProMinx<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

3 input connectors on the board itself...standard cd in et etc...5 ports on the back side...it even says "Note: Does Not Include CT4660 (Digital I/O Board)"

[makm]

is there a way to add the Toslink to the regular SB Live?

[spigidygak]

Yes there is to get optical digital inputs, just order the live drive from creative, only one problem is that they are currently sold out. But that is the route I will most likely take personally.

[Leon]

www.hoontech.com (http://www.hoontech.com)

[Inhibit]

Hey, I remember that their was a vendor marketing a "live drive" look alike at a much more reasonable (re 30$) price. Anyone remember or want their address?

[spigidygak]

ME ME ME!!! Hehe I would be interested in a live drive for cheaper.

[ProMinx]

leon, is it the SB digital bracket or what? which product is the live drive replacement?
ProMinx

[hot_apex]

I was looking at the SB DB II. I guess combined with the sb live's existing outs, it offers a little bit more than the live drive I (optical out) but a little bit less than the live drive 2 (no optical in). There is also a SB DB III which does have an optical in and more S/PDIF connections than I would know what to do with. If you order from Creative's site, the Live Drives are roughly $100 dollars more than the respective Hoontechs, though I am concerned with Hoontech's compadibility for the newer SB Lives. On that note, is a SB Live (original) without the Digital I/O board essentially a SB Live Value? If so, it would seem funny that a SB Live OEM without the Digital I/O would cost more than a Live Value OEM. As I intend to make use of a Hoontech with an optical out (which the original's I/O board doesn't provide anyway) the Value seems sensible. One last thing: I have heard of possible conflicts between SB Live and AMD systems. Anyone care to fill me in? I am running a K6-2 300 http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/frown.gif

[playdoh]

conflicts?! uh oh. I just ordered a SB Live Value the other day and I have an AMD 400 system...

If there are any conflicts, please post'em here!

[Justin42]

Be sure to go to your motherboard manufacturer's webpage if you have an AMD chip and get the latest motherboard drivers-- if you don't, you can get a nasty popping in SB Live cards....

Of course, I have a P3/450 and still had the crackling... Creative Lab's tech support sucks. (told me my PCI bus was underclocked at 33mhz and that was the problem :P) Ended up giving up and buying an Aureal SQ2500 and never have looked back. http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/smile.gif

[KeNDoGG]

hi i recently purchased a hoontech addon card with the optical out only..... and i also had a sb live value card (older style). The addon card wouldnt work as i tried to record optically to my MD player. So then i decided to buy a sb live platinum. Unfortunately i couldnt get the optical output to work.. Can anyone confirm if the Hoontech addon on card will work on the sb live platinum.