Jason was absolutely right about the software- you can control the "invasiveness" of our software. Just choose a custom installation for tons of options.
As to our cards: The Creative chips have a lot of kick. What other PCI card actually helps the CPU in processing (besides a video or capture card) Rhetorical question!
Take a look at some recent benchmarks. You'll be amazed. No other company has anything like the Audigy 2 in processing power or true audio quality. Competitive offerings make a stab at one or the other.

D

I don't know as much as I'd like to about the top-level sound cards, so I was wondering how the Audigy 2 and the Revolotion 7.1 compare.

It's funny, I don't get many competitive sound card questions anymore. ;) It's getting harder to find competition in retail- with the exception of Fry's Electronics.
The Audigy 2 is similar in audio quality to the card you mentioned. The processing power is the key here. However, the latest ZS cards can decode Dolby Dig EX and DTS ES in hardware.
As for gaming, the Audigy cards are the only ones to process EAX Advanced HD. Other cards handle an older version of EAX, but only in software.

Hope this helps facilitate discussion!

D

If I wasnt saving for my x800 I might buy an audigy my onboard doesnt cut it...

pfft @ x800.. 9500 = pwnage until hl2 comes out.. which will never happen (well basically) so there is nothing to worry about.. hopefully they time it with the x880xt

of course

hl2 comes out in sept i think
might be another fat cheque but that date is what newegg.com and walmart.com believes it to be

Audigy 2 is a great card
will the SB Live! 5.1 Platinum live drive work with Audigy 2 card?

Yes and No- for the newbies, the pinouts on the card and drive are different...so you can't use the cables that come w/ it. If you're careful, you could use an ide cable to do it, but not recommended.

Can the Audigy encode Dolby Digital? I'm planning on eventually putting a preamp and amp with some real speakers, and that would make it a lot easier, reliable, and better in terms of performance.

Dolby Digital was no problem, going all the way back to the Live!
For higher end Dolby D-EX or DTS, go for the Audigy 2ZS.
It's worth your while.