What Sound Blaster for an IBM PS/2E Model 9533?

[Holmes]

Hello All:

I am interested in putting a sound card in my IBM PS/2E 9533. This is the small pizza-box PS/2, which has laptop components in it to be a very early energy-star compliant computer.

It's got a 486SLC2 25/50 MHZ CPU, 16MB RAM, and a single ISA expansion slot. It's a neat little computer!

I've been thinking about putting in a Sound Blaster ISA card. I've been trying to research them, but it's insane how many versions there were.

I want something that will have a wide compatibility with games and other applications that can run on this computer. I will be running mainly DOS/Win 3.1/OS2. It would also be nice to have a CD-ROM interface on it as well.

I've heard that the Sound Blaster 16's are probably the most compatible with various software. I've seen people recommend the CT2940 with a Yamaha OPL chip if you can find one. I'm not that concerned with quality of the sound, but just something that works with most things.

This computer also only has a 24-watt power supply, so it also needs to be light on the power draw.

I don't really have much experience with Sound Blasters or PCs from that era, as I was primarily an Amiga guy during that time.

I was interested if people here had any recommendations. I was probably leaning towards just getting a cheap CT2940 on ebay at this point.

 

[krebizfan]

Note the limits of the 9533 power supply include no use of the sound card amplifiers. http://ohlandl.ipv7.net/9533/9533.html

Because of the small size of the case requiring the use of an external CD-ROM, I would suggest looking for the SCSI version of the SB. Trying to run an IDE cable out of the box and cobbling together an external IDE enclosure seems like a bit of work.

Also, consider looking for a parallel port CD-ROM enclosure as an alternative to the sound card with CD-ROM connector. Most such enclosures accepted any IDE CDROM so replacing a worn out one is simple.

 

[Holmes]

Note the limits of the 9533 power supply include no use of the sound card amplifiers. http://ohlandl.ipv7.net/9533/9533.html

Because of the small size of the case requiring the use of an external CD-ROM, I would suggest looking for the SCSI version of the SB. Trying to run an IDE cable out of the box and cobbling together an external IDE enclosure seems like a bit of work.

Also, consider looking for a parallel port CD-ROM enclosure as an alternative to the sound card with CD-ROM connector. Most such enclosures accepted any IDE CDROM so replacing a worn out one is simple.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I was mainly thinking of the CD-ROM as a "nice to have" not a necessary thing for me. The only time I'd really see using it was if I really needed CD access on this for an install or transfer. I wouldn't intend on leaving one plugged in.

I did read online where someone put in one of the AWE Sound Blasters, but needing to disable the on-board amplifier due to the computer rebooting when playing loud sounds, which makes sense from a power-draw perspective.

I guess no-one has any suggestions for the model of Sound Blaster, so I'll give the CT2940 a try. I guess most, if not all, of the models would work.

 

[krebizfan]

SoundBlaster Pro and SB16 both worked well enough for me. I either never encountered or lack the hearing to notice some of the reported flaws of the SB16.

 

[Holmes]

Ok, thanks! I’ll give a sb16 a try.

Yeah, I get what you mean about the sound differences. I have a hard time telling the difference. There’s a sound byte on a Wikipedia page on soundblasters, with the OPL vs emulated sound outputs, and they both sounded pretty good to me. So an audiophile I’m not.

 

[Cimonvg]

....
I've heard that the Sound Blaster 16's are probably the most compatible with various software. I've seen people recommend the CT2940 with a Yamaha OPL chip if you can find one. I'm not that concerned with quality of the sound, but just something that works with most things.
....
.

hello
another card , (dont know if it fits your pc?) , and perhaps not you choise - but it has got TMS320 chip .
And i can only say, my TMS320 sound card have a great sound quality . But i dont think it is 100% compatible with all games...?
(not me seeling)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-60G0823-EDUQUEST-ISA-SOUNDCARD-WITH-CABLE-60G0813-/141462752138

/cimonvg

 

[Holmes]

hello
another card , (dont know if it fits your pc?) , and perhaps not you choise - but it has got TMS320 chip .
And i can only say, my TMS320 sound card have a great sound quality . But i dont think it is 100% compatible with all games...?
(not me seeling)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-60G0823-EDUQUEST-ISA-SOUNDCARD-WITH-CABLE-60G0813-/141462752138

/cimonvg

Thanks for the suggestion! I think I'll stay with a Creative Labs Sound Blaster, though, just because of the very likely higher compatibility with more programs.