Seán FenianNew #Linux #PC #build lessons learned:
1. Modern default "HD-Audio" onboard #sound #chipsets are complete and utter shite, and almost impossible to make work decently under Linux. Yes, even if you use pulseaudio or pipewire.
2. The Creative SoundBlaster #Audigy Fx looks like it would be another EMU10K1-based card. It ISN'T. It has a crappy RealTek HD-Audio chipset that may even be worse than what's already on your motherboard. Don't waste your money.
3. The Audigy 5, aka Audigy Rx, IS an #EMU10K1 card, and sounds great. Just use the snd_emu10k1 driver, it's all you'll need. But it has both analog AND SPDIF optical outputs, and it DEFAULTS to using the SPDIF output even if there's nothing connected to it. Make sure you set the 'Audigy Analog/Digital Output Jack' control ON in your mixer if you're using the analog jacks, or you'll get no sound.
4. But gad, it sounds SO NICE once you get it working. 
1. Modern default "HD-Audio" onboard #sound #chipsets are complete and utter shite, and almost impossible to make work decently under Linux. Yes, even if you use pulseaudio or pipewire.
2. The Creative SoundBlaster #Audigy Fx looks like it would be another EMU10K1-based card. It ISN'T. It has a crappy RealTek HD-Audio chipset that may even be worse than what's already on your motherboard. Don't waste your money.
3. The Audigy 5, aka Audigy Rx, IS an #EMU10K1 card, and sounds great. Just use the snd_emu10k1 driver, it's all you'll need. But it has both analog AND SPDIF optical outputs, and it DEFAULTS to using the SPDIF output even if there's nothing connected to it. Make sure you set the 'Audigy Analog/Digital Output Jack' control ON in your mixer if you're using the analog jacks, or you'll get no sound.
4. But gad, it sounds SO NICE once you get it working.