Razer Barracuda AC-1 Gaming Sound Card

[Negative Design]

The Razer Barracuda™ AC-1 Gaming Audio Card features a 7.1 channel output, 24 bit audio technology and unprecedented 117dB SNR (output).The 117dB Signal to Noise Ratio (output) specification clearly outperforms all current sound cards in the market that only perform up to an average of 105dB. The Razer Barracuda AC-1 Gaming Audio Card is the world’s first gaming audio card that performs up to a 117dB SNR.

Gaming-specific positional audio, Powered by Razer Fidelity™, allows gamers to take advantage of an expanded dynamic sound stage for gaming tuned frequencies with Razer ESP™ (Enhanced Sonic Perception™). The in-built audio chip processes and optimizes audio signals from games to provide the ultimate positional gaming audio experience through the Razer 3D (720 °) Positional Gaming Audio Engine™.

Source

[Stallion]

I think the X-Fi Elite Pro has 116dB SNR but who's counting? Oh, right, Razer is... Nah I think it's pretty cool, I've been wanting a sound card with digital coax or optical on-card abilities (dont want the 5.25" bay BS) and it's only $180 at TigerDirect. Plus it looks pretty cool and nicely engineered, I would wonder if their chip is a potential overheater like Creative had a brief problem with without a heatsink.

[Milkman]

I would wonder if their chip is a potential overheater like Creative had a brief problem with without a heatsink.

nothing we can't fix mate


but it doesn't look like we have to.

[falcobird]

Looks cool. I hope the drivers aren't made by an illiterate 12 year old Chinese sex slave being paid 50c an hour in peanuts, like the creative drivers are.

[DSwarP]

Originally Posted by falcobird

Looks cool. I hope the drivers aren't made by an illiterate 12 year old Chinese sex slave being paid 50c an hour in peanuts, like the creative drivers are.

Falco, get serious. They make at least 87 cents in the much more valuable cashews.

I wonder how nice this is actually going to be...

[Citat3962]

Seriously since my snap crackle pop issues have come back I may just be in the market...

Except it's PCI!

you idiots..

PCI-e 1X!!!!!

That's what it's for

[Milkman]

PCI feels like ISA.. i see so many mobos with 1 pci slot these days.

[Zer010]

ISA took 10 long years before it died. What makes PCI any different?

Does this have profile for the inputs/outputs?

[Milkman]

ISA took 10 long years before it died. What makes PCI any different?

PCI is different because ISA devices became PCI, and everybody had the new shiny sexy PCI slots in their new mobos.

now PCI devices aren't quickly becoming PCIe devices. New mobos are losing the PCI slots and gaining PCIe slots. problem is the devices I and many others want are still PCI..

[dshankar]

Agreed. I mean, I have a network/LAN card, wireless card, a sound card, an old 56k modem card (don't need that though ), some people have RAID controller cards. I will need at least 3..what else goes in PCIe these days (other than video cards)?

OT, I love Creative. Why would I go with Razer? Is it "that much" better?

edit: I noticed it has 2 digital out ports. Does that mean I can hook up my TV's home theater speakers to my comp?
edit2: Wait a minute, where do I hook up my regular PC speakers with the red, green, blue, yellow, black...

[Milkman]

yes, the highend Creative cards can do it too, but they use a front panel. another advantage for this card.


there are network cards on PCIe btw

[WiCKeD]

Skimmed the article and it sounded glowing until the conclusioin:

This is what really kills it for me. The BlueGears card is almost identical to the Barracuda minus the gaming tweaks and what amounts to a paint job, yet costs about half as much. For the same price, the Auzentech X-Meridan uses the same C-Media chip and offers:

- Solid state capacitors
- User changeable operational amps
- Toslink-to-mini optical adapters
- 10 foot High-end Digital Optical Cable
- Optional X-Tension card to expand I/O possibilities

I wanted to like this card, but for ~200 bucks, I want more... A lot more. In a gaming card I want to see something like X-Ram and extremely low CPU usage; And I want it to work properly out of the box. To me 90 bucks is too much for what amounts to added noise levels in games.

If you don't like my conclusion, I'm sure you'll find more sunny reviews elsewhere. When all is said and done, there will be those who believe the Barracuda is going to give them a edge in games; and who knows, it just might. For some, that edge will justify the price tag.

He still gives it a 6! It's good to see competitors out there though. Either Via or C-Media will really have a chance to step things up with the OpenAL standard. Did you guys read that? EAX is apparently going out the window with Vista and that and low CPU consumption has really what has been keeping Creative in the money. CPU consumption is basically not a factor anymore, so their monopoly may end...

[pooopies]

I am just curious with this sound card, will I be able to use my 'normal' speakers that do not have an SPDIF adapter?

[Negative Design]

Originally Posted by pooopies

I am just curious with this sound card, will I be able to use my 'normal' speakers that do not have an SPDIF adapter?

SPDIF is the norm now. And yes you can use analog(normal) or Digital(SPDIF). I'd like to see the 1st S.C with HDMI.

[SailentShado]

wouldn't a X-Fi Fatl1ty be better than this, anyways?.... same price, EAX5.0 and cheaper....

[Negative Design]

EAX currently isn't working under vista. Creative is working on a patch though I heard... but theres a chance that there will be no EAX on vista and OpenAL will be the standard.

[doger_666]

im more interested in the cound card ASUS is bringing out that will work with PCIe and have a lower end pci version. its supposed to have an on board prossesor of some kind. may be able to rise the FSP in games around the same as a fatality can, but the big thing is is comes in pci-e and looks really sweet.

[Negative Design]

I'm more interested in the ASUS card as well I posted this thread a while ago way before the ASUS was anounced.

[Citat3962]

can't wait for that ASUS...

Sounds like an HTPC fan/Gamer's wet dream!

[doger_666]

im waiting to see if the asus has an increase in speed like the fatality