When Creative unleashed the original Audigy series, we were left somewhat unimpressed and slightly agitated.  The exclusion of 24 bit/96kHz recording, questionable marketing tactics, and mediocre sound left its utility somewhere south of great. Creative quickly released the Audigy2, a much improved product that offered full 24 bit/96kHz playback and recording, as well as throwing in 6.1 channels, EAX 3.0, AdvancedHD, DVD-Audio, and as a bonus, great sound.  The Audigy 2 still had room for improvement, especially with stiffening competition from sound cards based on VIA's most excellent Envy24.  Now Creative has updated the Audigy2 with the Audigy2 ZS, but is it a rehash of an aging architecture, or is it a refinement of a good brand?

Read on, my fellow sound gurus to find out.