If you look at the advances made in
CPU’s or GFX cards in the last 5 years, and then compare the progress in sound
cards, the lack of competition shows.
Companies that have competition are forced to innovate, or parish. If your driver updates, or your customer
service are not up to par, you get your butt kicked in the market place by
companies that do take care of their customers.
Creative has had the sound card
market to itself for far too long, and I for one am glad to see a competitor
step into the ring. The X Mystique 7.1
Gold from Blue Gears is a great card, and if they get the driver bugs squared
away, (and I think they will), then they are sure to have a real winner on their
hands. At $99.00 US at FrozenCPU, or PCAlchemy, and
with new drivers, I could recommend this card without hesitation to gamers and
HTPC users alike. I purchased this card, and felt satisfied that
I got my money's worth, and then some.
So for now, I am going to hold off
on a recommendation for a few weeks to see if debugged drivers arrive. If they do, I will post a comment here, and
present the Blue Gears X Mystique 7.1 Gold card our Highly Recommended award.
*UPDATE*
June 06--Our contact at BlueGears got in touch to let me know that new
drivers from C-Media are due in about 2 weeks. They are aware of
the problem, and are doing all they can to get it fixed ASAP.
*UPDATE* June 10--I got word in yesterday about new beta drivers you can find HERE
and I have had no problems with them. Looks like HDA and Blue
Gears came through. I said if they fixed those few bugs listed we
would be happy to give our Highly Recommend Award, and here it it!
