Creative Sound Blaster Z SBX PCIE Gaming Sound Card

BruceUSA · Jun 29, 2014

I have been using on board hd audio for a while. I finally decided that I should get a sound card and I did. I got Creative Sound Blaster Z SBX PCIE Gaming Sound Card. Installed and update driver without any issue. It definitely boosted the audio quality, its louder and the bass is deeper. I am currently using a piece of crap speakers with subwoofer that I bought more than 5 yrs ago for about $45. I have Bose Companion 3 Series II Computer Speakers coming my way. I think the bass and treble sound quality will be much nicer.

BruceUSA · Jul 2, 2014

I got some problem now and I am at a lost. After installed the sound card, everything was working fine. Today I try to mess around in the control panel audio tab. I highlighted Digital Audio (S/PDIF) and set it to default communication device a few others same as default communication device. After that I've lost all audio. Now I got no sound. I try to get back where it was before but it not working . I configure the speaker, shown it is working but No sound. Please help me out. Thanks you

Lvcoyote · Jul 2, 2014

That speaker system doesn't use S/PDIF connection from what I can tell. Isn't it just a standard 3.5mm audio cable that's plugged into the back of the computer?

mimart7 · Jul 2, 2014

Similar thing happened to me this morning. No updates from ms or creative. Speakers work fine using onboard audio. I have an old Audigy SE.

BruceUSA · Jul 2, 2014

lycoyote,

Yes the speakers is a standard 3.5mm audio plug. Again, it was working before all this mess. I should have left this area alone, and try to tweak the audio in the creative control panel. Anyway, I am going to do a point restore, this should bring me back to where it was before, default settings.

BruceUSA · Jul 3, 2014

I got it all configured in the Creative control panel. Take awhile to know the software. So far it turned out great. It sound pretty good with old cheap speaker/subwoofer. I can't wait for my bose companion 3 speakers coming maybe on Monday. I will update the finding.

BruceUSA · Jul 10, 2014

Here is some update. Those bose speakers music sound clarity is amazingly good. The subwoofer is not as powerful as I would have thought but is good enough for it compact size. No question this bose system is sound way better than the $45 Logitech speaker subwoofer 2.1 system I had.

Ps. Oh man, after some tweaking, the deep bass sound is freaking nice.

BruceUSA · Jul 10, 2014

Alright guys

I am loving it so far. BUT I want to further improve the audio system and here is my question. Hope you guys can help me understand how to do it.

My Creative sound card has Optical S/PDIF Out jack. I want to use this feature. If I get a DAC and a fiber optic cable and I am good to go?

My thought is this. Sound card Optical S/PDIF out> Fiber Optic Cable> DAC> Bose Speakers system. Is this in the right sequence?

NiHaoMike · Jul 11, 2014

Not much point. Get a digital amplifier or receiver and then plug the speakers into that.

bamato · Jul 11, 2014

^^No reason to convert just to carry an audio signal a short distance over optical only to convert it back to analog. Assuming this isn't a HTPC, purchasing a full on receiver and speakers wouldn't be reasonable (at a desk at least). Although these days I couldn't imagine gaming without some sort of surround sound...

BruceUSA · Jul 11, 2014

I have no plan to buy a receive at this time, because my desk space is limited. But I want to try out the Digital Optical out, so I just order a DAC with fiber optic cable. After much researching about this. The Optical out connection should give me a better sound.

bamato · Jul 11, 2014

Perhaps I'm not fully understanding what you're doing here. Instead of just running analog cables, you want to use an optical cable to transmit a digital signal to a DAC, where it's then converted to analog for your Bose speakers?

BruceUSA · Jul 11, 2014

Yes. Is that a bed thing? I will save it for my new TV instead.

ATMINSIDE · Jul 11, 2014

BruceUSA said:
Yes. Is that a bed thing? I will save it for my new TV instead.

You're basically accomplishing nothing, because the signal into the Bose system is still analog...

BruceUSA · Jul 11, 2014

How do I get digital sound to the speaker? I am confused... Give me a list of components for Digtial sound setup.

ATMINSIDE · Jul 11, 2014

You would need to plug the speakers straight in to a digital amplifier.

BruceUSA · Jul 11, 2014

Can you recommand me a good digital amp? I have no idea which one to get.

ATMINSIDE · Jul 11, 2014

I cannot, it isn't something I've researched, as I am happy without.

bamato · Jul 11, 2014

I'll be honest with you, I'm not sure the investment is going to net you a noticeable difference in sound (and the amplifier is going to have a part to play in that as well). I'm also not familiar enough with the Bose system to even suggest a way to connect it to another amplifier (as I'm sure the system has it's own built in). It would literally be a complete waste of time/money.

BruceUSA · Jul 11, 2014

ok guys. Base on what you guys said here. I am going to leave it, I am done with sound.

I am still happy with what I got now.

Creative Sound Blaster Z SBX PCIE Gaming Sound Card

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