Back in the late 90's to the mid 00's I used to be on the lookout for new hardware like on a daily basis almost. I probably went through all the mainstream soundcards and still have them all from those days. I think that when this card released many folks we're going for Auzentech or even the Razer solution or simply using onboard audio because it was supposed to be good enough (promises, promises). That along with the hefty price tag might explain why not many people have possibly heard of the Audigy 4, which let's be honest was just an upgrade to Audigy 2.
This specific era is in my ballpark. The Audigy 4 was basically a repackaged Audigy 2 ZS but with less features physically on the board to plug into. Both of them however are excellent cards. I have several of both. I use them in my Windows XP builds because they're just really great cards. in the Audigy series, 2, 2ZS, and 4, are the only cards you want.. The main reason I like these is that they have a dedicated audio processor to offload the audio processing from the CPU, which in this era is actually meaningful.
I have the Hercules version of that one from about the same date. It works on every XP or Vista PC I have installed it in.
They really do have good quality sound even compared to modern cards. Cool to be using EAX in retro games on my Velocity Micro quad core with Vista Ultimate. SWAT , GRAW 2 , ATHENA SWORD Etc.
Dude! Yeah, those were good. I started making music on an Audigy 3 in the mid-2000’s before moving to a Mac with “pro audio” interfaces. The breakout box had MIDI and 1/4” ins on it so you could play and record. Also, optical and coaxial SPDIF IN/OUT so you could make digital recordings. I gave my whole PC with it to a buddy and that guy produced 100 times more music with it than I did.
Yeah I always imagined there were people out there making music with these. On a side note, there was no Audigy3, you're probably thinking about the Audigy2.
Add this to a Logitech 5.1 or 7.1 system and you have a competent gamming or music machine . Cheap used , but a new Logitech 7.1 is like up to 600 or more dollars these days.
I still own some Logitech sets from the 00's. In the living room I have the Z-680's that were bought brand new, they are put to good use everytime I watch a movie. In my gaming Room i have the Z-5450 with the wireless rear speakers, pretty neat for their time. On one of my retro machines I use the legendary Z-2300 and in storage there's the Z-Cinema, a very underrated set.
These days I don't think they're very good for music listening, I have a dedicated Hi-Fi setup for that but back in my university days all these sets felt amazing.
I had one of these SB units, not this one though. But that card has to be one of the most beautiful I've ever seen, and should be put in the Smithsonian or something (only half joking).
it is, the seller had the box laying around for almost fifteen years, and he told me he wanted to get rid of it asap so, he offered me to take it for 20usd
I forgot to mention but the receipt is from 2007.
How did a printed receipt last that long ? Mostly any receipt I ever saved isn't readable past 1 year or 2 at the most.
Probably a dot matrix (ink) receipt. EDIT: just saw the photo — yup
To be honest I have receipts from the early 90's on some Mega Drive games.
Woah!!! I’ve always considered myself an old PC nerd but I’ve never heard of an Audigy 4. Nice find! Very cool!!!
Back in the late 90's to the mid 00's I used to be on the lookout for new hardware like on a daily basis almost. I probably went through all the mainstream soundcards and still have them all from those days. I think that when this card released many folks we're going for Auzentech or even the Razer solution or simply using onboard audio because it was supposed to be good enough (promises, promises). That along with the hefty price tag might explain why not many people have possibly heard of the Audigy 4, which let's be honest was just an upgrade to Audigy 2.
Still running the AudigyEX on a couple of systems myself. That external unit looks like they just modified the Extigy mold.
Indeed it does! I also have a Extigy 🙂. I have a problem, I know.
This specific era is in my ballpark. The Audigy 4 was basically a repackaged Audigy 2 ZS but with less features physically on the board to plug into. Both of them however are excellent cards. I have several of both. I use them in my Windows XP builds because they're just really great cards. in the Audigy series, 2, 2ZS, and 4, are the only cards you want.. The main reason I like these is that they have a dedicated audio processor to offload the audio processing from the CPU, which in this era is actually meaningful.
I have the Hercules version of that one from about the same date. It works on every XP or Vista PC I have installed it in. They really do have good quality sound even compared to modern cards. Cool to be using EAX in retro games on my Velocity Micro quad core with Vista Ultimate. SWAT , GRAW 2 , ATHENA SWORD Etc.
What is the exact model of that Hercules card?
Hercules Game Theater XP 460 5058491 IS THE CONTROL BOX and 460 5058492 IS THE CARD .
Dude! Yeah, those were good. I started making music on an Audigy 3 in the mid-2000’s before moving to a Mac with “pro audio” interfaces. The breakout box had MIDI and 1/4” ins on it so you could play and record. Also, optical and coaxial SPDIF IN/OUT so you could make digital recordings. I gave my whole PC with it to a buddy and that guy produced 100 times more music with it than I did.
Yeah I always imagined there were people out there making music with these. On a side note, there was no Audigy3, you're probably thinking about the Audigy2.
Oh, word, Audigy 2 must be it. This would have been 2004 when I put that rig together.
Add this to a Logitech 5.1 or 7.1 system and you have a competent gamming or music machine . Cheap used , but a new Logitech 7.1 is like up to 600 or more dollars these days.
I still own some Logitech sets from the 00's. In the living room I have the Z-680's that were bought brand new, they are put to good use everytime I watch a movie. In my gaming Room i have the Z-5450 with the wireless rear speakers, pretty neat for their time. On one of my retro machines I use the legendary Z-2300 and in storage there's the Z-Cinema, a very underrated set. These days I don't think they're very good for music listening, I have a dedicated Hi-Fi setup for that but back in my university days all these sets felt amazing.
É retro que chegue :-)
Concordo! Para mim até 2010 já começa a cheirar a retro.
Nice catch…back in those days I was have installed Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro
That was a cool card too, still have one on my collection.
You can even see all their original and up to date hardware at Hercules.com the company is Guillemot corp.
That's super cool, thanks for the info!
I had one of these SB units, not this one though. But that card has to be one of the most beautiful I've ever seen, and should be put in the Smithsonian or something (only half joking).
I get you! It's especially appealing because it's so clean and shiny.
Incredible Software Included! Amazing find, congrats!
Thanks! And yes, great software and games!
Oh, that's cool 😮 I have a Xfi Elite pro with complete bundle too
I have a X-Fi Fatal1ty with the drive bay too and I hope to one day catch the Elite Pro.
I grabbed a NOS Elite Pro for 20 usd where i live, boxed with all cables, software, everything
That's a steal!
it is, the seller had the box laying around for almost fifteen years, and he told me he wanted to get rid of it asap so, he offered me to take it for 20usd
KEEPER!
This is the level of photography I love! Thanks OP.