![]() ![]() You'll still need two backplate positions to house the card and optional joystick/MIDI bracket, and the new card like the old requires a Power Converter cable to be connected to your computer's PSU to provide sufficient juice - apparently the Audigy range requires more than the PCI buss can supply. Since the Audigy 2 ZS is so similar to its predecessor I'll concentrate on the differences only: if you want to find out about its inherited features I suggest you refer to my original review of the Audigy 2 in SOS April 2003. The EAX 4.0 Advanced HD effects offer a new enhancement to allow multiple simultaneous EAX environments in games, so you can hear the 'baddies' in their acoustic 'space' while still in yours, there's a new multi-channel seven-band graphic EQ, and the Media Source 2 software has been improved to rip and play yet more formats of audio. Also new is support for 7.1 audio (via the three analogue 3.5mm outputs) "for the most immersive gaming and movie experience ever", plus native support for the discrete DTS-ES (Extended Surround) format with the sixth Rear Centre channel encoded in the soundtrack. So what have Creative Labs managed to achieve in such a short time that warrants a new product launch? Well, the signal/noise ratio has increased by 2dB to 108dB, and there's a new THX Console to help you set up your surround speakers. ![]() Now, just six months later in Autumn 2003 comes the Audigy Platinum 2 ZS Platinum Pro under review here. ![]() After a respectable gap of some 18 months the Audigy 2 Platinum Ex arrived in Spring 2003 with loads of new features such as ASIO 2.0 24-bit/96kHz support, DVD-Audio playback at up to 24-bit/192kHz stereo, a much better 106dB signal/noise ratio, and improved DSP effects. I reviewed Creative's Audigy Platinum Ex in SOS November 2001, and found it to be a huge improvement over the popular but ageing Soundblaster Live! card, providing new 24-bit converters, low-latency ASIO drivers, and for the first time ever on a budget soundcard, Firewire ports. Creative Labs have updated their popular Audigy 2 soundcard, improving its audio performance and adding new features. ![]()
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