Creative Labs Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro Review

By
April 13th, 2004


Summary

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro delivers the most comprehensive audio capabilities and connectivity for the PC! Featuring 5 stereo Inputs / 6 stereo Outputs, external I/O hub, and superior fidelity 24-bit ADVANCED HD audio, Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro supports simultaneous recording of six channels of 24-bit/96kHz audio with low latency ASIO 2.0 support. Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro is also the only PC platform to deliver Advanced Resolution 24-bit DVD-Audio playback in pristine 108dB SNR clarity across all channels. With the unique Creative THX Setup Console, you'll be able to create cinematic quality speaker surround with DTS-ES, Dolby Digital EX movies and 3D games! 

Specs

Specifications:

High Definition Audio Quality for Playback and Recording

  • 24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion during playback with sampling rates of 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz in 6.1 mode and up to 192kHz in stereo mode
  • 24-bit Analog to Digital conversion during recording in 8, 16 or 24-bit at sampling rates of 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz
  • SPDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) input at up to 24-bit/ 96kHz quality
  • SPDIF output up to 24-bit at 48 or 96kHz
  • ASIO 2.0 drivers for low latency (as low as 2ms) multi-track playback and recording at 16-bit/ 48kHz or 24-bit/96kHz

Wave-Table Synthesis and Midi Features

  • Creative Hardware synthesizer (2 x 16 channels) with 64-voice polyphony featuring E-MU®'s patented 8-point interpolation technology for accurate sample reproduction
  • Creative Software synthesizer - multi timbral wave-table (16 channels)
  • 2 Midi I/O ports (2 x 16 channels)*

SB1394™/FireWire® Connectivity

  • IEEE® 1394/FireWire/i-Link® compatible interface with up to 400Mbps transfer rate Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX

Onboard Connectors

  • Line level out (Front/Rear/Center/Subwoofer/Rear Center)
  • AD_LINK 1 and AD_LINK 2 connectors
  • Power connector
  • 15-pin MIDI/Joystick port extension header

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX External I/O Module Front/Rear Panel Connectors

  • Headphone Out (1/4" Stereo Jack)
  • Line In 1 (1/4" Stereo Jack , shared with Microphone In with Gain Control)
  • Line In 2 (1/4" Stereo Jack)
  • Line In 3 (2x RCA Jack)
  • Optical SPDIF In/Out
  • Coaxial SPDIF In/Out
  • Digital Out for 5.1 support (6-channel SPDIF Output to Creative digital speakers)
  • 2x SB1394/FireWire ports
  • MIDI In/Out
  • Infra-red Receiver

Flexible Front Panel Connectivity Options and Features

  • DV Camcorder
  • MiniDisc Player
  • Set Top DVD Player/Game Console
  • Electric Guitar/Pre-amp FX Box
  • Microphone/Sound Module
  • Headphones
  • Push to mute/unmute
  • Stereo to 6.1 Virtualization Upmix
  • Remote Control

Flexible Back Panel Connectivity Options

  • CD Player/Cassette Player
  • MIDI Keyboard
  • DAT Player
  • Creative Inspire/Cambridge SoundWorks Digital Speakers
  • NOMAD® Jukebox

*Optional gameport adapter required for Midi I/O 2.


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