highend soundcard

[department76]

i'm looking to put a good card in my rig, now that i have money again after building it. i have looked around a lot and have basically decided that anything below $130 can't get the job done that i want (i.e. b-enspirer, ht omega striker, fatal1ty pro, auzentech x-plosion, m-audio offerings). i am looking for the best possible quality that also supports DTSC and DDL (rules out most x-fi cards). as for DACs, nothing more than a single stereo DAC for the fronts needs to be super high quality as i will use that for headphones. i will game in surround via the DTS-C or DD-L, if i ever do analog surround (doubtful) it'd be some cheap 7.1 for gaming only. EAX is favored, but not 100% necessary. Same with front panel I/O, favored but not a must.

all of that in mind, i'm thinking about the following (all have great D/A conversion, i don't care about A/D as i'll never be recording anything):
Auzentech X-Fi Prelude - 120dB SNR, EAX 5.0, DDL/DTSC, front panel I/O, swappable op-amps (X-Fi)
HT Omega Claro+ - 115dB SNR, EAX 2.0, excellent analog, DDL/DTSC, front panel I/O (CMI8788)
ASUS Xonar D2 - 118dB SNR, EAX 2.0, DTSI/DDL, shielded, NO front panel I/O (AV200)
Creative X-Fi fatal1ty pro or champion?

all of those are ~$180 range, i am currently leaning towards the auzentech.

 

[Franklinwallbrown]

I want an AuzenTech & I've also been talking with many people about the same thing. So...

 

[department76]

ya it really seems to take the cake in terms of performacne and features in about every category. unless i hear some good arguments or see a huge price drop on one of the other cards (doubtful!) then i'll probably get myself a prelude.

 

[Franklinwallbrown]

Gg

 

[imperialreign]

ya it really seems to take the cake in terms of performacne and features in about every category. unless i hear some good arguments or see a huge price drop on one of the other cards (doubtful!) then i'll probably get myself a prelude.

The Auzen Prelude isn't the fastest audio card on the market - but it's audio quality is unmatched. If you're looking for the absolute best sounding audio card, don't even consider any other offering.

If you're looking for the fastest card with great audio quality, the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty Pro (116dB SNR) takes that title - although it supports DTSC, it doesn't support DDL.

Another card, that looks to be a great contender (and which I just learned about within the last week or so) is the Razer Barracuda AC-1 Razer AC-1 utilizing a C-Media APU, speced at 117dB SNR, supporting DDL and DTSC. EAX 2.0 DSP only, though. From what I've researched on this card, it looks to be a fast contender also, but still not as fast as the Fatal1ty Pro.

Although, if you can still find one somewhere, the Auzentech X-Meridian was the coup d'etat of the audio quality realm. Ran off a C-Media APU, though, which rules out newer EAX DSPs

 

[Franklinwallbrown]

What he said!

 

[department76]

The Auzen Prelude isn't the fastest audio card on the market - but it's audio quality is unmatched. If you're looking for the absolute best sounding audio card, don't even consider any other offering.

If you're looking for the fastest card with great audio quality, the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty Pro (116dB SNR) takes that title - although it supports DTSC, it doesn't support DDL.

Another card, that looks to be a great contender (and which I just learned about within the last week or so) is the Razer Barracuda AC-1 Razer AC-1 utilizing a C-Media APU, speced at 117dB SNR, supporting DDL and DTSC. EAX 2.0 DSP only, though. From what I've researched on this card, it looks to be a fast contender also, but still not as fast as the Fatal1ty Pro.

Although, if you can still find one somewhere, the Auzentech X-Meridian was the coup d'etat of the audio quality realm. Ran off a C-Media APU, though, which rules out newer EAX DSPs

i didn't realize the fatal1ty pro was supposed to be the fastest, but i suppose that doesn't sway me much. that is a good option to consider though, it's a lot cheaper than the prelude and i didn't realize it had DTSC (only really need DDL or DTSC). thanks for bringing that up.

i've looked at a couple reviews for the razer barracuda card, which didn't rate it as anything special. it's plenty capable but really nothing extraordinary. besides, call me crazy but i kinda want something with solid caps.

i looked into the meridian actually, seems as though it's impossible to find though.

at this point it's either the prelude at ~$180, or the fatal1ty pro at ~$130. i suppose EAX 5.0 is worth an x-fi based card, i just want DDL/DTSC to send to my HT, and good DAC + opamps for a cushy pair of denon ah-d2000s someday. kinda sucks the fatal1ty pro doesn't have a front panel, i might consider looking at the champion.

are there any other major differences between the professional and the champion besides the I/O and remote?

 

[Franklinwallbrown]

If you want best sound for music then the Auzen, but if you want extra FPS in-game w/ good sound, then fatal1ty. Final offer!

 

[niko084]

Auzen or one of the new Asus cards...

Personally I like the Asus a bit more, but it doesn't offer as much in the way of gaming performance, but the sound quality is superior.

 

[Franklinwallbrown]

Asus cards? No one even talked about them to me, if I recall correctly?

 

[niko084]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132001
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132005

These cards are really amazing, they have about anything any user could want and even include lots of power and software for music production work.

The sound quality is top of the line, a dream come true for internal sound cards.
But they cost, and only EAX 2.0 if you use it.

 

[btarunr]

Best sounding sound card on the planet: Auzentech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1
Best performing sound card on the planet: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty Professional

'nuff said.

 

[niko084]

Best sounding sound card on the planet: Auzentech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1

That one can be HIGHLY argued...

By the book, the Asus Xonar is a better "sounding card".
To the individual person it may go the other way...

Either way both cards are extremely high quality and the top of the top for internal sound cards.

*Distortion ratings*
Auzentech Prelude .001%
Asus Xonar .0004%
*SNR*
Auzentech Prelude 120db
Asus Xonar 118db

The Asus uses a Burr-Brown D/A converter, this is known as one of the best D/A converters by audiophiles.

These little differences are not something that can really be depicted to the everyday listener, especially on some cheap crappy self amplified computer speakers, where the amplifier in the speakers is probably 1% THD alone.

 

[btarunr]

With dedicated 2 channel Asahi Kasei (AKM Semiconductor) DSPs per two channels, the Xonar holds no sway. Besides, the ASUS chipset used on the Xonar is rebadged C-Media CMI8788. The X-Fi Prelude uses the same DSPs that its dead sister the X-Meridean used.

 

[Franklinwallbrown]

'Nuff said!

 

[niko084]

With dedicated 2 channel Asahi Kasei (AKM Semiconductor) DSPs per two channels, the Xonar holds no sway. Besides, the ASUS chipset used on the Xonar is rebadged C-Media CMI8788. The X-Fi Prelude uses the same DSPs that its dead sister the X-Meridean used.

Well now we are talking about audio processing, not pure SQ... Now your getting DRM's involved, which is what really brings it into what does the person prefer.

See where I'm going with this?

Some ultra high end $80,000 per pair speakers claim to be the best, but yet the most picky audiophile in the world will pick a set that cost a mere $10,000 per pair because they have a warmer midrange or something to that effect.

Once you get into the top end offered, its really personal taste.

I do wish though that the Prelude would have had a emi shield, its a nice bonus for a $200 sound card, difference may be nill but.

 

[btarunr]

Specifications

Key Components

Creative X-Fi CA20K audio processor
One AKM AK-5394 super high performance 96kHz 24-bit ADC for analog input
Four AKM AK-4396 96kHz 24-bit advanced multi-bit DAC for analog output
64Mbytes of memory for audio processing
High fidelity audio OPAMPs for analog input and output (TI OPA2134)
Front L/R output OPAMP is replaceable by end-user (National LM4562NA)
Dual mode S/PDIF receiver and transmitter
Audio Performance (Rated Output @ 5Vrms, Typical Value)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (20kHz Low-pass filter, A-Weighted)
Stereo Output : 120dB (part spec)
Front and Rear Channels : 120dB (part spec)
Center : 120dB (part spec)
Subwoofer and Side Channels : 120dB (part spec)
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise at 1kHz (-3dBFS, A-weighted) : 0.001% - part spec
Frequency Response (+/-0.01dB, 24-bit/44.1kHz input ) : 20khz (part spec)
Frequency Response (+/-0.01dB, 24-bit/96kHz input ) : 43.5 khz (part spec)
16-bit to 24-bit recording sampling rates: 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz

IO Connectors

One 3.5mm MIC input connector in rear panel
One 3.5mm line input connector in rear panel
One 4-pin AUX connector on board
Four 3.5mm 8 channel line output connectors in rear panel (FL/FR/C/SW/RL/RR/RSL/RSR)
One S/PDIF combo input connector in rear panel for receiving either coaxial or optical digital
One S/PDIF combo output connector in rear panel for transmitting either coaxial or optical digital
One 10-1pin front panel connector on board for MIC input and headphone: more
One 40-pin digital extension header on board to support AD-Link and other digital functionality
S/W and drivers

Creative X-Fi Driver

Its specs, see for yourself. The AKM AK-4396 is the 'Maybach' of high-performance DAC's, it's the best the industry has, so far. The Xonar has weaker OPAMP units, though it comes very close with digital IO where the audio stacks are simply bypassed to the SPDIF while being processed by the system CPU. The X-Fi Prelude uses the expansive power of the CA-20K1 processor.

 

[niko084]

Its specs, see for yourself. The AKM AK-4396 is the 'Maybach' of high-performance DAC's, it's the best the industry has, so far. The Xonar has weaker OPAMP units, though it comes very close with digital IO where the audio stacks are simply bypassed to the SPDIF while being processed by the system CPU. The X-Fi Prelude uses the expansive power of the CA-20K1 processor.

Here is a little proof of the very thing we are talking about-
http://techreport.com/articles.x/13874

They say dead out... If gaming performance is not what you are looking for the Xonar is the card you want.

Take a peak.

Also note* The Preludes slightly higher SNR rating is NOT even a TESTED rating, its a rating based on used components, so in fact its probably lower than what is stated.

I have nothing against Auzentech by any and all means, they make a wonderful product and in turn these cards land hand and hand.

Yes though the Xonar does most definitely eat up a good chunk more cpu power.

 

[btarunr]

Well now we are talking about audio processing, not pure SQ... Now your getting DRM's involved, which is what really brings it into what does the person prefer.

See where I'm going with this?

Some ultra high end $80,000 per pair speakers claim to be the best, but yet the most picky audiophile in the world will pick a set that cost a mere $10,000 per pair because they have a warmer midrange or something to that effect.

Once you get into the top end offered, its really personal taste.

I do wish though that the Prelude would have had a emi shield, its a nice bonus for a $200 sound card, difference may be nill but.

LOL, the X-Fi Prelude and the Xonar D2X carry the same price-tags as of 22-01-08, USD 199. . You get more out of the Auzen card in the end. The EMI shield isn't needed for issues pertaining to the extreme heat generated by the components, it's just that the 1337 use these cards on systems with CrossFire / SLI setups where the video-cards cause an EMI mess. In setups such as mine, there are no issues.

This page of the X-Fi Support thread is of good academic importance: http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=40613&page=4

 

[niko084]

LOL, the X-Fi Prelude and the Xonar D2X carry the same price-tags as of 22-01-08, USD 199. . You get more out of the Auzen card in the end. The EMI shield isn't needed for issues pertaining to the extreme heat generated by the components, it's just that the 1337 use these cards on systems with CrossFire / SLI setups where the video-cards cause an EMI mess. In setups such as mine, there are no issues.

As I said the EMI shield is a nill difference.
Not going to argue that the Prelude doesn't have more to offer, especially under XP where it gets full EAX.

But if you are simply looking for sound, then there can be a question. I looked at these two cards for months before deciding myself to get the Xonar, my reasoning is that it will play games *I'm far from worried about a bit of processor usage*, and that it works very well with programs like Cakewalk, Reason, Sonar etc for production, also has midi ports.

This card will replace my EMU 1212M when I re-build my workstation.

 

[Franklinwallbrown]

I'm confused again, but yet, it's late, so...

 

[candle_86]

I dunno why sounds are such big things to have, my live still sounds great.

 

[niko084]

I dunno why sounds are such big things to have, my live still sounds great.

All depends on who you are and how picky your ear is... To some people the stock stereo in a Toyota Tercel is AWESOME. To some people you cannot buy equipment good enough in a retail store.

Personally my Audigy 2zs in this computer that I'm stuck with, I can barely stand, and it is still considered by audiophiles to be one of "Creative's" best SQ cards ever built.
*Directly by Creative that is*

 

[candle_86]

well i count myself blessed with bad hearing means i only need soundcards when the current dies, i got a Live because my Soundblaster AWE64 wouldnt work on an Nforce 2

 

[btarunr]

The NVidia Soundstorm that came with the NForce2 (MCP-T southbridge) was superb. The farthest we saw onboard audio come.