They just use the same DSP as a controller. Everything else is quite different, especially the converters.

Look at the signal quality of a Sound Blaster Z (from TechPowerUp):

And compare it to the 10-years-older 1212m (same EMU10K2 DSP as on the Audigy 2 ZS, from chumiecki.com):

 

Emu are not audigy cards. I am holding audigy and emu card in my hands right now. Very different designed cards. Emu is in a league of its own performance and sound, it was also a different department.
Have talked to many who preferred the AD/DA of emu compared to RME. The only thing they preferred on RME was the software, patch mix and drivers, some had problems with that issue, sound performance was never an issue with emu.

 

Last edited: Jun 4, 2020

Ok, different converter makes for a better card alright . Or does it. You guys claim everything is different apart from the controller.
I have their top card, a 1616m in my hands right now -courtesy of a good friend- and will do the measurements again 15 years later and get back to you l8r

 

dont forget to modify the Caps! A soundcard in a "Box" outside a Computer can be much better than anything "inside!
Alle TOP RME have only the FW Connection card or USB input.
Did i mention i had the Fireface 802 and still use a sometimes a MOTU 828 Mk2 (for ADAT).
I could buy the Fireface 802 brandnew from a friend at 600E and gave it back. It wasnt better sounding than my oldschool stuff i already own.
BTW i still own 2x EMU 202 for my Laptops. Great Value for money.
It never let me down. But i am still on WIN7 . Never change a running system.

 

If you're looking for an old school PCI interface with a nice breakout box I can highly recommend
a Terratec EWS 88MT. I run a robust Win XP HP workstation with two of these cascaded and a TC
Powercore PCI card. I also, of course, have several much more modern rigs. But this machine is
at the heart of my mastering setup and I also use it it to perform all firmware updates. It's solid
as a rock. You know what they say.......if it aint broke.....

 

If you want an Audiophile 24/96 I'll give you one if you cover postage.

 

Thank U
Nice offer
But I've got E-Mu Card from Gianna