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Specs
Analog (A-A):
Frequency Response: 10Hz - 120kHz (-3dB)
SNR: 96dB FS A-weighted.
THD+N: (-3dB): < -91dB FS (0.0027%).
Crosstalk: -105dB @ 100Hz
Digital Playback (D-A):
Frequency Response: (-3dB) @ Fs = 48kHz: 10Hz to 20kHz
SNR: 90dB FS A-weighted
THD+N: (-3dB FS): < -87dB FS (0.004%).
Digital Recording (A-D):
Frequency Response: (-3dB) @ Fs = 48kHz: 10Hz to 20kHz
SNR: 93dB FS A-weighted
THD+N: (-3dB FS): < -84dB FS (0.005%).
Digital Output: 48kHz PCM audio or Dolby Digital® AC-3 for external decoder.
Games Compatibility: Supports most DOS games in Windows 95/98 (DOS box and Real Mode)
Analog Quad Mixer: Lets you pan analog sources between four speakers.
Like I said before, on paper the Santa Cruz is very worthy of being one of the best sound cards on the market. The frequency range is very large, so you will never have to worry about your sound card being the dead link. Another good feature on this card is the 2, 4 or 6 speaker support. There is an extra output jack on the Santa Cruz, called the VersaJack that acts as either a digital output for 5.1 or 4.1 setups or another output for speakers 5 and 6 in an analog setup, and it also acts as an analog input. I would say the main attraction to this card is the ability to output to Dolby Digital 5.1 or 4.1 streams, finally making those Klipsch 5.1's or Logitech Z560 speakers worthwhile (not that they aren't as is), the fidelity increase made by Dolby Digital in DVD movies are incredible. Another feature I want to note before going on with the rest of the review is the customizable audio settings you can assign for gameplay, music, movies, etc… There are special preset modes that you can choose from regarding music, games, and business. For example, music has optimized modes for: ambient 2 speakers, music bass boost, CD recording, MIDI, karaoke, internet music, and ambient 4 speakers. Gaming mode has: stereo game enhancement, bass boost, and turbo 3D performance. Finally, business mode has: internet conferencing, voice recording, CD audio recording, and voice recognition. All of these modes really are optimized and sound great and distinctive for their intended purposes.
>> Installation/Performance
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