• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium driver 2.40.0016 WHQL

Joined
Nov 18, 2010
Messages
7,492 (1.47/day)
Location
Rīga, Latvia
System Name HELLSTAR
Processor AMD RYZEN 9 5950X
Motherboard ASUS Strix X570-E
Cooling 2x 360 + 280 rads. 3x Gentle Typhoons, 3x Phanteks T30, 2x TT T140 . EK-Quantum Momentum Monoblock.
Memory 4x8GB G.SKILL Trident Z RGB F4-4133C19D-16GTZR 14-16-12-30-44
Video Card(s) Sapphire Pulse RX 7900XTX. Water block. Crossflashed.
Storage Optane 900P[Fedora] + WD BLACK SN850X 4TB + 750 EVO 500GB + 1TB 980PRO+SN560 1TB(W11)
Display(s) Philips PHL BDM3270 + Acer XV242Y
Case Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO
Audio Device(s) SMSL RAW-MDA1 DAC
Power Supply Fractal Design Newton R3 1000W
Mouse Razer Basilisk
Keyboard Razer BlackWidow V3 - Yellow Switch
Software FEDORA 41
There is still support for a dino age product.

Released from February 21, 2019

DriverVer=02/11/2019, 6.0.240.0024
CatalogFile.NTX86=wdm_emu.cat
CatalogFile.NTAMD64=wdmemu64.cat
WHQL Cert. & signed from February 12, 2019

Change log :
Full compatibility and support with Win 10 RS5 aka October 2018 update.
A few bugs and problems of performance have been fixed as well.

DOWNLOAD
 

INSTG8R

Vanguard Beta Tester
Joined
Nov 26, 2004
Messages
8,039 (1.10/day)
Location
Canuck in Norway
System Name Hellbox 5.1(same case new guts)
Processor Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard MSI X570S MAG Torpedo Max
Cooling TT Kandalf L.C.S.(Water/Air)EK Velocity CPU Block/Noctua EK Quantum DDC Pump/Res
Memory 2x16GB Gskill Trident Neo Z 3600 CL16
Video Card(s) Powercolor Hellhound 7900XTX
Storage 970 Evo Plus 500GB 2xSamsung 850 Evo 500GB RAID 0 1TB WD Blue Corsair MP600 Core 2TB
Display(s) Alienware QD-OLED 34” 3440x1440 144hz 10Bit VESA HDR 400
Case TT Kandalf L.C.S.
Audio Device(s) Soundblaster ZX/Logitech Z906 5.1
Power Supply Seasonic TX~’850 Platinum
Mouse G502 Hero
Keyboard G19s
VR HMD Oculus Quest 3
Software Win 11 Pro x64
Wow I checked the other day for my SB Zx still nothing since March 2017...that said not really had any issues to speak of either.
 
Joined
Nov 18, 2010
Messages
7,492 (1.47/day)
Location
Rīga, Latvia
System Name HELLSTAR
Processor AMD RYZEN 9 5950X
Motherboard ASUS Strix X570-E
Cooling 2x 360 + 280 rads. 3x Gentle Typhoons, 3x Phanteks T30, 2x TT T140 . EK-Quantum Momentum Monoblock.
Memory 4x8GB G.SKILL Trident Z RGB F4-4133C19D-16GTZR 14-16-12-30-44
Video Card(s) Sapphire Pulse RX 7900XTX. Water block. Crossflashed.
Storage Optane 900P[Fedora] + WD BLACK SN850X 4TB + 750 EVO 500GB + 1TB 980PRO+SN560 1TB(W11)
Display(s) Philips PHL BDM3270 + Acer XV242Y
Case Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO
Audio Device(s) SMSL RAW-MDA1 DAC
Power Supply Fractal Design Newton R3 1000W
Mouse Razer Basilisk
Keyboard Razer BlackWidow V3 - Yellow Switch
Software FEDORA 41
Wow I checked the other day for my SB Zx still nothing since March 2017...that said not really had any issues to speak of either.

The only thing bugged for sound core3d devices are the additional plugins - DTS and Dolby etc... if you don't use them like me, never encountered a bug really.
 

INSTG8R

Vanguard Beta Tester
Joined
Nov 26, 2004
Messages
8,039 (1.10/day)
Location
Canuck in Norway
System Name Hellbox 5.1(same case new guts)
Processor Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard MSI X570S MAG Torpedo Max
Cooling TT Kandalf L.C.S.(Water/Air)EK Velocity CPU Block/Noctua EK Quantum DDC Pump/Res
Memory 2x16GB Gskill Trident Neo Z 3600 CL16
Video Card(s) Powercolor Hellhound 7900XTX
Storage 970 Evo Plus 500GB 2xSamsung 850 Evo 500GB RAID 0 1TB WD Blue Corsair MP600 Core 2TB
Display(s) Alienware QD-OLED 34” 3440x1440 144hz 10Bit VESA HDR 400
Case TT Kandalf L.C.S.
Audio Device(s) Soundblaster ZX/Logitech Z906 5.1
Power Supply Seasonic TX~’850 Platinum
Mouse G502 Hero
Keyboard G19s
VR HMD Oculus Quest 3
Software Win 11 Pro x64
The only thing bugged for sound core3d devices are the additional plugins - DTS and Dolby etc... if you don't use them like me, never encountered a bug really.
Nope don’t use fake surround, pure analogue for this guy.
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2018
Messages
818 (0.36/day)
System Name Dell Inspiron 7375
Processor AMD Ryzen™ 7 2700U Mobile Processor with Radeon™ RX Vega 10 Graphics
Memory 16GB (total) 2400MHz DDR4 SODIMM
Video Card(s) Radeon™ RX Vega 10 Graphics
Storage SanDisk X600 SATA SSD 512GB
Display(s) BOE NV13FHM
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC3253 (Dell Labelling) ALC255 (Real name)
Joined
Jun 15, 2016
Messages
1,042 (0.34/day)
Location
Pristina
System Name My PC
Processor 4670K@4.4GHz
Motherboard Gryphon Z87
Cooling CM 212
Memory 2x8GB+2x4GB @2400GHz
Video Card(s) XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS Black Edition 1425MHz OC+, 8GB
Storage Intel 530 SSD 480GB + Intel 510 SSD 120GB + 2x500GB hdd raid 1
Display(s) HP envy 32 1440p
Case CM Mastercase 5
Audio Device(s) Sbz ZXR
Power Supply Antec 620W
Mouse G502
Keyboard G910
Software Win 10 pro
Joined
Nov 18, 2010
Messages
7,492 (1.47/day)
Location
Rīga, Latvia
System Name HELLSTAR
Processor AMD RYZEN 9 5950X
Motherboard ASUS Strix X570-E
Cooling 2x 360 + 280 rads. 3x Gentle Typhoons, 3x Phanteks T30, 2x TT T140 . EK-Quantum Momentum Monoblock.
Memory 4x8GB G.SKILL Trident Z RGB F4-4133C19D-16GTZR 14-16-12-30-44
Video Card(s) Sapphire Pulse RX 7900XTX. Water block. Crossflashed.
Storage Optane 900P[Fedora] + WD BLACK SN850X 4TB + 750 EVO 500GB + 1TB 980PRO+SN560 1TB(W11)
Display(s) Philips PHL BDM3270 + Acer XV242Y
Case Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO
Audio Device(s) SMSL RAW-MDA1 DAC
Power Supply Fractal Design Newton R3 1000W
Mouse Razer Basilisk
Keyboard Razer BlackWidow V3 - Yellow Switch
Software FEDORA 41
Joined
Aug 24, 2018
Messages
818 (0.36/day)
System Name Dell Inspiron 7375
Processor AMD Ryzen™ 7 2700U Mobile Processor with Radeon™ RX Vega 10 Graphics
Memory 16GB (total) 2400MHz DDR4 SODIMM
Video Card(s) Radeon™ RX Vega 10 Graphics
Storage SanDisk X600 SATA SSD 512GB
Display(s) BOE NV13FHM
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC3253 (Dell Labelling) ALC255 (Real name)

INSTG8R

Vanguard Beta Tester
Joined
Nov 26, 2004
Messages
8,039 (1.10/day)
Location
Canuck in Norway
System Name Hellbox 5.1(same case new guts)
Processor Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard MSI X570S MAG Torpedo Max
Cooling TT Kandalf L.C.S.(Water/Air)EK Velocity CPU Block/Noctua EK Quantum DDC Pump/Res
Memory 2x16GB Gskill Trident Neo Z 3600 CL16
Video Card(s) Powercolor Hellhound 7900XTX
Storage 970 Evo Plus 500GB 2xSamsung 850 Evo 500GB RAID 0 1TB WD Blue Corsair MP600 Core 2TB
Display(s) Alienware QD-OLED 34” 3440x1440 144hz 10Bit VESA HDR 400
Case TT Kandalf L.C.S.
Audio Device(s) Soundblaster ZX/Logitech Z906 5.1
Power Supply Seasonic TX~’850 Platinum
Mouse G502 Hero
Keyboard G19s
VR HMD Oculus Quest 3
Software Win 11 Pro x64
Joined
Aug 24, 2018
Messages
818 (0.36/day)
System Name Dell Inspiron 7375
Processor AMD Ryzen™ 7 2700U Mobile Processor with Radeon™ RX Vega 10 Graphics
Memory 16GB (total) 2400MHz DDR4 SODIMM
Video Card(s) Radeon™ RX Vega 10 Graphics
Storage SanDisk X600 SATA SSD 512GB
Display(s) BOE NV13FHM
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC3253 (Dell Labelling) ALC255 (Real name)
DTS Neo and DD Live aren’t true surround ;)
They are discrete formats. A test file in 5.1 will play in individual speakers at a time with no crosstalk. (bitstreaming disabled so as to test DDL).
 
Joined
Nov 18, 2010
Messages
7,492 (1.47/day)
Location
Rīga, Latvia
System Name HELLSTAR
Processor AMD RYZEN 9 5950X
Motherboard ASUS Strix X570-E
Cooling 2x 360 + 280 rads. 3x Gentle Typhoons, 3x Phanteks T30, 2x TT T140 . EK-Quantum Momentum Monoblock.
Memory 4x8GB G.SKILL Trident Z RGB F4-4133C19D-16GTZR 14-16-12-30-44
Video Card(s) Sapphire Pulse RX 7900XTX. Water block. Crossflashed.
Storage Optane 900P[Fedora] + WD BLACK SN850X 4TB + 750 EVO 500GB + 1TB 980PRO+SN560 1TB(W11)
Display(s) Philips PHL BDM3270 + Acer XV242Y
Case Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO
Audio Device(s) SMSL RAW-MDA1 DAC
Power Supply Fractal Design Newton R3 1000W
Mouse Razer Basilisk
Keyboard Razer BlackWidow V3 - Yellow Switch
Software FEDORA 41
This does prove that Creative cares about it's user base, even if it takes them a little while.

That's actually the case. For a product 11 years old... (PCIe)... I cannot even remember an another example of this. Creative was bad in that department, for sure, but this really deserves some credit.

But actually there is more to it, the next insider build 19H1 still suffers even with these drivers imho, but this gives hope, that it will be fixed.
 

hat

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 20, 2006
Messages
21,745 (3.31/day)
Location
Ohio
System Name Starlifter :: Dragonfly
Processor i7 2600k 4.4GHz :: i5 10400
Motherboard ASUS P8P67 Pro :: ASUS Prime H570-Plus
Cooling Cryorig M9 :: Stock
Memory 4x4GB DDR3 2133 :: 2x8GB DDR4 2400
Video Card(s) PNY GTX1070 :: Integrated UHD 630
Storage Crucial MX500 1TB, 2x1TB Seagate RAID 0 :: Mushkin Enhanced 60GB SSD, 3x4TB Seagate HDD RAID5
Display(s) Onn 165hz 1080p :: Acer 1080p
Case Antec SOHO 1030B :: Old White Full Tower
Audio Device(s) Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro - Bose Companion 2 Series III :: None
Power Supply FSP Hydro GE 550w :: EVGA Supernova 550
Software Windows 10 Pro - Plex Server on Dragonfly
Benchmark Scores >9000
Agreed. It's nice that my dusty old X-Fi is still getting support. For once, Creative deserves a cookie.
 

INSTG8R

Vanguard Beta Tester
Joined
Nov 26, 2004
Messages
8,039 (1.10/day)
Location
Canuck in Norway
System Name Hellbox 5.1(same case new guts)
Processor Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard MSI X570S MAG Torpedo Max
Cooling TT Kandalf L.C.S.(Water/Air)EK Velocity CPU Block/Noctua EK Quantum DDC Pump/Res
Memory 2x16GB Gskill Trident Neo Z 3600 CL16
Video Card(s) Powercolor Hellhound 7900XTX
Storage 970 Evo Plus 500GB 2xSamsung 850 Evo 500GB RAID 0 1TB WD Blue Corsair MP600 Core 2TB
Display(s) Alienware QD-OLED 34” 3440x1440 144hz 10Bit VESA HDR 400
Case TT Kandalf L.C.S.
Audio Device(s) Soundblaster ZX/Logitech Z906 5.1
Power Supply Seasonic TX~’850 Platinum
Mouse G502 Hero
Keyboard G19s
VR HMD Oculus Quest 3
Software Win 11 Pro x64
They are discrete formats. A test file in 5.1 will play in individual speakers at a time with no crosstalk. (bitstreaming disabled so as to test DDL).
They’re both “matrix surround” used to convert stereo signals to “surround” I stand by my statement. Not too mention neither are necessary when using analogue 5.1. I’ve never not had 5.1 and needed to resort to either. Been using 5.1 exclusively on PC for over a decade.
 

Space Lynx

Astronaut
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
17,058 (4.64/day)
Location
Kepler-186f
There is still support for a dino age product.

Released from February 21, 2019

DriverVer=02/11/2019, 6.0.240.0024
CatalogFile.NTX86=wdm_emu.cat
CatalogFile.NTAMD64=wdmemu64.cat
WHQL Cert. & signed from February 12, 2019

Change log :
Full compatibility and support with Win 10 RS5 aka October 2018 update.
A few bugs and problems of performance have been fixed as well.

DOWNLOAD

do you know if this will work for the x-fi titanium fatal1ty edition?
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2018
Messages
818 (0.36/day)
System Name Dell Inspiron 7375
Processor AMD Ryzen™ 7 2700U Mobile Processor with Radeon™ RX Vega 10 Graphics
Memory 16GB (total) 2400MHz DDR4 SODIMM
Video Card(s) Radeon™ RX Vega 10 Graphics
Storage SanDisk X600 SATA SSD 512GB
Display(s) BOE NV13FHM
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC3253 (Dell Labelling) ALC255 (Real name)
They’re both “matrix surround” used to convert stereo signals to “surround” I stand by my statement. Not too mention neither are necessary when using analogue 5.1. I’ve never not had 5.1 and needed to resort to either. Been using 5.1 exclusively on PC for over a decade.
Dolby Digital codec (AC3) and DTS codec (DTS Coherent acoustics/DCA) are both discrete lossy audio formats.
They are not to be confused with:
Dolby Pro-Logic files - Matrixed stereo files
Dolby Surround ex - 6.1 data matrixed into 5.1.
DTS EX Matrix mode - As above.

DDL encode a discrete 5.1 audio signal into a Dolby Digital stream.
DTS Connect encode a discrete 5.1 audio signal to DTS codec.

Real disadvantages of both methods:
1. DDL & DTS connect usually uses some CPU for audio encoding. This can be valuable CPU time in CPU bound games. Analogue does not consume such CPU time.
2. As most compressed formats, a delay in buffering of data is inherently present. Thus, display image often appears before sound. This delay is less in DCA. Analogue has no such delay.
3. AC3 & DCA are lossy formats. Analogue is not. (Though it is fair to say that noise levels are usually higher in most consumer setups as EM noise is present in carrying wires. Lessee noise is present in AC3/DCA as audio is decoded in final receiver. Also, though both formats are lossy they are perceptually lossless.)
4. Analogue can do more than 48KHz sampling rate. Those with dog/bats ears can rejoice in "HD" Surround audio.
 

Space Lynx

Astronaut
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
17,058 (4.64/day)
Location
Kepler-186f
Dolby Digital codec (AC3) and DTS codec (DTS Coherent acoustics/DCA) are both discrete lossy audio formats.
They are not to be confused with:
Dolby Pro-Logic files - Matrixed stereo files
Dolby Surround ex - 6.1 data matrixed into 5.1.
DTS EX Matrix mode - As above.

DDL encode a discrete 5.1 audio signal into a Dolby Digital stream.
DTS Connect encode a discrete 5.1 audio signal to DTS codec.

Real disadvantages of both methods:
1. DDL & DTS connect usually uses some CPU for audio encoding. This can be valuable CPU time in CPU bound games. Analogue does not consume such CPU time.
2. As most compressed formats, a delay in buffering of data is inherently present. Thus, display image often appears before sound. This delay is less in DCA. Analogue has no such delay.
3. AC3 & DCA are lossy formats. Analogue is not. (Though it is fair to say that noise levels are usually higher in most consumer setups as EM noise is present in carrying wires. Lessee noise is present in AC3/DCA as audio is decoded in final receiver. Also, though both formats are lossy they are perceptually lossless.)
4. Analogue can do more than 48KHz sampling rate. Those with dog/bats ears can rejoice in "HD" Surround audio.

omg my brain hurts.

how about I just do this:

Pc > optical cable > modi 3 dac > powered studio monitors

and call it a day
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2018
Messages
818 (0.36/day)
System Name Dell Inspiron 7375
Processor AMD Ryzen™ 7 2700U Mobile Processor with Radeon™ RX Vega 10 Graphics
Memory 16GB (total) 2400MHz DDR4 SODIMM
Video Card(s) Radeon™ RX Vega 10 Graphics
Storage SanDisk X600 SATA SSD 512GB
Display(s) BOE NV13FHM
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC3253 (Dell Labelling) ALC255 (Real name)
omg my brain hurts.

how about I just do this:

Pc > optical cable > modi 3 dac > powered studio monitors

and call it a day

Yes I do allow you!
 

mmxx

New Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2018
Messages
12 (0.01/day)
  • Creative X-Fi sound cards are not functioning properly. We are partnering with Creative to resolve this issue.

waiting for the next release Source
 
Joined
Jan 29, 2012
Messages
6,881 (1.48/day)
Location
Florida
System Name natr0n-PC
Processor Ryzen 5950x-5600x | 9600k
Motherboard B450 AORUS M | Z390 UD
Cooling EK AIO 360 - 6 fan action | AIO
Memory Patriot - Viper Steel DDR4 (B-Die)(4x8GB) | Samsung DDR4 (4x8GB)
Video Card(s) EVGA 3070ti FTW
Storage Various
Display(s) Pixio PX279 Prime
Case Thermaltake Level 20 VT | Black bench
Audio Device(s) LOXJIE D10 + Kinter Amp + 6 Bookshelf Speakers Sony+JVC+Sony
Power Supply Super Flower Leadex III ARGB 80+ Gold 650W | EVGA 700 Gold
Software XP/7/8.1/10
Benchmark Scores http://valid.x86.fr/79kuh6

INSTG8R

Vanguard Beta Tester
Joined
Nov 26, 2004
Messages
8,039 (1.10/day)
Location
Canuck in Norway
System Name Hellbox 5.1(same case new guts)
Processor Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard MSI X570S MAG Torpedo Max
Cooling TT Kandalf L.C.S.(Water/Air)EK Velocity CPU Block/Noctua EK Quantum DDC Pump/Res
Memory 2x16GB Gskill Trident Neo Z 3600 CL16
Video Card(s) Powercolor Hellhound 7900XTX
Storage 970 Evo Plus 500GB 2xSamsung 850 Evo 500GB RAID 0 1TB WD Blue Corsair MP600 Core 2TB
Display(s) Alienware QD-OLED 34” 3440x1440 144hz 10Bit VESA HDR 400
Case TT Kandalf L.C.S.
Audio Device(s) Soundblaster ZX/Logitech Z906 5.1
Power Supply Seasonic TX~’850 Platinum
Mouse G502 Hero
Keyboard G19s
VR HMD Oculus Quest 3
Software Win 11 Pro x64
Dolby Digital codec (AC3) and DTS codec (DTS Coherent acoustics/DCA) are both discrete lossy audio formats.
They are not to be confused with:
Dolby Pro-Logic files - Matrixed stereo files
Dolby Surround ex - 6.1 data matrixed into 5.1.
DTS EX Matrix mode - As above.

DDL encode a discrete 5.1 audio signal into a Dolby Digital stream.
DTS Connect encode a discrete 5.1 audio signal to DTS codec.

Real disadvantages of both methods:
1. DDL & DTS connect usually uses some CPU for audio encoding. This can be valuable CPU time in CPU bound games. Analogue does not consume such CPU time.
2. As most compressed formats, a delay in buffering of data is inherently present. Thus, display image often appears before sound. This delay is less in DCA. Analogue has no such delay.
3. AC3 & DCA are lossy formats. Analogue is not. (Though it is fair to say that noise levels are usually higher in most consumer setups as EM noise is present in carrying wires. Lessee noise is present in AC3/DCA as audio is decoded in final receiver. Also, though both formats are lossy they are perceptually lossless.)
4. Analogue can do more than 48KHz sampling rate. Those with dog/bats ears can rejoice in "HD" Surround audio.
I don’t need the ins and outs of it. But you’re still proving my point regardless.
Why would I convert a 5.1 signal to another 5.1 “signal” makes zero sense and serves zero purpose.
 

hat

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 20, 2006
Messages
21,745 (3.31/day)
Location
Ohio
System Name Starlifter :: Dragonfly
Processor i7 2600k 4.4GHz :: i5 10400
Motherboard ASUS P8P67 Pro :: ASUS Prime H570-Plus
Cooling Cryorig M9 :: Stock
Memory 4x4GB DDR3 2133 :: 2x8GB DDR4 2400
Video Card(s) PNY GTX1070 :: Integrated UHD 630
Storage Crucial MX500 1TB, 2x1TB Seagate RAID 0 :: Mushkin Enhanced 60GB SSD, 3x4TB Seagate HDD RAID5
Display(s) Onn 165hz 1080p :: Acer 1080p
Case Antec SOHO 1030B :: Old White Full Tower
Audio Device(s) Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro - Bose Companion 2 Series III :: None
Power Supply FSP Hydro GE 550w :: EVGA Supernova 550
Software Windows 10 Pro - Plex Server on Dragonfly
Benchmark Scores >9000
I don’t need the ins and outs of it. But you’re still proving my point regardless.
Why would I convert a 5.1 signal to another 5.1 “signal” makes zero sense and serves zero purpose.
Because optical can't do raw 5.1. It has to be encoded with DTS or something. Analog, on the other hand, has no such encoding. The raw digital signal is processed to analog for the speakers on the other end by the DACs on your sound card (or onboard audio) and that's that.

Using analog is only really a problem when you have a newer receiver that just doesn't have analog inputs beyond stereo (this is quite common today), or you are running seriously high end audio equipment, where the DACs in the receiver are significantly better than the DACs found even on a high end sound card, and you also have the speakers to appreciate the difference. In this case, you aren't using optical anyway, you're using HDMI.
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2018
Messages
818 (0.36/day)
System Name Dell Inspiron 7375
Processor AMD Ryzen™ 7 2700U Mobile Processor with Radeon™ RX Vega 10 Graphics
Memory 16GB (total) 2400MHz DDR4 SODIMM
Video Card(s) Radeon™ RX Vega 10 Graphics
Storage SanDisk X600 SATA SSD 512GB
Display(s) BOE NV13FHM
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC3253 (Dell Labelling) ALC255 (Real name)
I don’t need the ins and outs of it. But you’re still proving my point regardless.
Why would I convert a 5.1 signal to another 5.1 “signal” makes zero sense and serves zero purpose.
It is for convenience. One digital cable against 3/6 analogue cables.
Some device may not even allow for connecting those analogue cables (htibs, cheaper sound bars).
Edit: First time got ninja'd.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hat

INSTG8R

Vanguard Beta Tester
Joined
Nov 26, 2004
Messages
8,039 (1.10/day)
Location
Canuck in Norway
System Name Hellbox 5.1(same case new guts)
Processor Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard MSI X570S MAG Torpedo Max
Cooling TT Kandalf L.C.S.(Water/Air)EK Velocity CPU Block/Noctua EK Quantum DDC Pump/Res
Memory 2x16GB Gskill Trident Neo Z 3600 CL16
Video Card(s) Powercolor Hellhound 7900XTX
Storage 970 Evo Plus 500GB 2xSamsung 850 Evo 500GB RAID 0 1TB WD Blue Corsair MP600 Core 2TB
Display(s) Alienware QD-OLED 34” 3440x1440 144hz 10Bit VESA HDR 400
Case TT Kandalf L.C.S.
Audio Device(s) Soundblaster ZX/Logitech Z906 5.1
Power Supply Seasonic TX~’850 Platinum
Mouse G502 Hero
Keyboard G19s
VR HMD Oculus Quest 3
Software Win 11 Pro x64
It is for convenience. One digital cable against 3/6 analogue cables.
Some device may not even allow for connecting those analogue cables (htibs, cheaper sound bars).
Edit: First time got ninja'd.
Also both formats are PC specific DTS Connect and DD Live are still “canned surround” No home theatre amp with any worth has them. All the other formats you mentioned are.
Because optical can't do raw 5.1. It has to be encoded with DTS or something. Analog, on the other hand, has no such encoding. The raw digital signal is processed to analog for the speakers on the other end by the DACs on your sound card (or onboard audio) and that's that.

Using analog is only really a problem when you have a newer receiver that just doesn't have analog inputs beyond stereo (this is quite common today), or you are running seriously high end audio equipment, where the DACs in the receiver are significantly better than the DACs found even on a high end sound card, and you also have the speakers to appreciate the difference. In this case, you aren't using optical anyway, you're using HDMI.
Really who still uses optical when HDMI is available anyway? My Z906s are optical or analogue I obviously choose analogue. My HT Amp I obviously choose HDMI
 
Top