Chaintech 7.1 Channel PCI Sound Card w/Optical Digital Out

[psxjunky]

JGunther: There was a test sound clip mentioned on this thread somewhere (or may be on one of the other threads that has been linked from here) which will allow you to test the 5.1 sound.

Sorry I don't remember which thread it was ... but I saw it couple weeks back and I definitely started from this thread only.

 

[Wedge1]

Is it this Link to AVS forum thread on ENVY24 HT-S?

 

[mindless1]

I'm not very knowledgable about the underpinnings of the windows sound implementation, but isn't it impossible to be able to use the "master system volume" on any card with good quality (ie- not windows mixer molested) sound? Or perhaps there is some kind of hook that intercepts master volume and, though the master volume doesn't really control the volume, changing it would still produce desired result?

 

[JGunther]

Just uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers, using an earlier version of the drivers (1.43). Same thing... master volume control doesn't do ANYTHING.

I don't understand, is there *anyone* here who has installed this card with the proper drivers under WindowsXP SP2 and using the optican out, still found the master volume control under Windows changes the volume? Anyone? What am I doing wrong?

 

[Tsukai]

Originally posted by: psxjunky
So does anyone have a solution to the volume control problem ? i.e. not being about to change the volume using windows master volume control.

This is happening for me when using the optical digital out to a receiver.

I don't think there is a solution. I'm not versed on this stuff but i cant tell you that no spdif link I've ever used had it's volume linked with the master volume. I've used the old Vortex card from years ago, a realtek integrated chipset, as well as the envy24pt intregrated chipset, and all of these were only linked with the WAVE volume control.

 

[TechnoKid]

So let me get this straight,

If I get this card, and use the high sample 2ch analog 7/8 outputs to my logitechs, the master volume control (and coincedentaly the volume control on my logitech keyboard) will not control the volume of the card? Or is this for when you use the digital (optical/spdif) output?

Is this card's 2ch high sample analog output better than a SB Live! (16bit) using the Kx project drivers? Is this card's gaming/3d audio at least as good as the SB Live! ? I don't game much and when I do, it's usually at LAN parties where we'd use headphones anyhow. I care more about 2ch adio preformance than gaming/surround.

The Audigy 2ZS oem is about $60-$70 on newegg; this card is worth gettin over the SB?


Sorry for so many questions. I just started using the "Kx Project" drivers for my SB live! card and it makes a big differene using the rear channel codec than the front channel codec for the front speakers.

 

[doinmybestatlast]

Bought two - one DOA. RMA and return one week. Make sure that your SC is really dead since they do charge a test fee if not.

 

[mindless1]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
So let me get this straight,

If I get this card, and use the high sample 2ch analog 7/8 outputs to my logitechs, the master volume control (and coincedentaly the volume control on my logitech keyboard) will not control the volume of the card? Or is this for when you use the digital (optical/spdif) output?

The SPDIF volume control is used for both the SPDIF AND the rear 2 channel (HQ) analog out. Master volume is not, and if you move the master volume you might find a quirk in the drivers where it starts outputting higher volume on one channel than the other. The fix is to change volumes again in the Vinyl Control Panel (icon in system tray or via Windows Control Panel).

Is this card's 2ch high sample analog output better than a SB Live! (16bit) using the Kx project drivers? Is this card's gaming/3d audio at least as good as the SB Live! ? I don't game much and when I do, it's usually at LAN parties where we'd use headphones anyhow. I care more about 2ch adio preformance than gaming/surround.

The Audigy 2ZS oem is about $60-$70 on newegg; this card is worth gettin over the SB?

The Audigy is not a bad card for a gamer to buy, but this (AV710) card's 2 channel HQ rear out is better than any SB card's 2 channel output. The one caveat might be that some peeps/phones at higher volume levels might need a (headphone) amp, as the rear HQ output is straight from the DAC.

While that arrangement produces very clean & accurate sound, it is only a true line-level output so any load may not do so well at higher volumes. At moderate volumes many people find it fine, but others do feel a headphone amp is needed. Some even call the treble harsh because they've never heard output that hasn't been altered by putting through another amp (whether it be on a sound card or external)... or maybe their phone load is reducing bass and they turned up volume further than they would otherwise, you'd have to ask someone with that problem.

 

[Devistater]

Yes, nvidia soundstorm is the only solution I know of that will realtime encode dolby digital sound. For example if you play a game with surround sound, you can get the nvidia soundstorm to output that sound on spdif in dolby digital.

 

[clearstyle]

can someone please help me out on this card. its driving me crazy. i just recieve this today and im have problems with it. i install the card with latest drivers and there are no sound coming out from my speakers. i have The Boston Acoustics BA7500 speakers it uses digital out. but for some reason it work fine with headphone. the speakers work fine with my audigy 2 also. i tried messing around with the audio deck still no luck. my only guess is the speaker maybe its not compatible??

 

[Slaimus]

The problem with Soundstorm is that it still relies on crappy AC97 codecs. Almost all of the Soundstorm boards you can buy uses the horrible ALC650. Here is a link to some RMAA tests: http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=172&p=8

 

[konakona]

Originally posted by: clearstyle
can someone please help me out on this card. its driving me crazy. i just recieve this today and im have problems with it. i install the card with latest drivers and there are no sound coming out from my speakers. i have The Boston Acoustics BA7500 speakers it uses digital out. but for some reason it work fine with headphone. the speakers work fine with my audigy 2 also. i tried messing around with the audio deck still no luck. my only guess is the speaker maybe its not compatible??

hey, hope its not late to answer your question. be sure to double check you are not using the "high quality mode". this uses the superb woflson DAC at the cost of multichannel output. your assesment of situation suggets you probably have that feature on, meaning you would only be getting 2channel sound through the rear output jack. hope this helps.

 

[Wedge1]

Just wanted to let people know that VIA released new drivers for this card. Version 451a can be found at www.viaarena.com

integrated support in this driver includes:

* Eight channel outputs
* Stereo Expander to experience 2-channel formats using a full 5.1 speaker set-up
* Individual speaker volume controls
* Speaker configuration utility
* Advanced features to maximize recording quality
* Full Digital I/O controls

 

[Smokin Gunn]

Thx

 

[neoreturns]

Using the AV-710 on my HTPC through digital out to a high end reciever and B&W entry level speakers and I am very happy with this card.

 

[mindless1]

Thanks

Driver v4.51a Direct Download Link (Win9598SEMENT2KXP)

 

[genius99]

I have Logitech Z560s 4.1 Speakers, I plugged into the green and black connector.

My 2 front speakers and subwoofer work fine - these are using the green connector.

My 2 rear speakers do not work at all - these are using the black connector.

Anyone having the same problem as me?

I am using the latest VIA driver (4.51a). In the Audio Deck application, I can click on each one of my speakers and I can hear sound from it - including the rear speakers!

But why when I play music like in Winamp or Windows Media Player, I don't hear sound from my rear speakers?

thanks

 

[mindless1]

genius, if your audio is 2 channel you should get 2 channel output. Thus you need a player that supports and audio that has at least 4 channel output for rear speakers.

Or, try that "stereo Expander" feature. You might also try "5.1" mode and check the "Enable Digital Out" box and appropriate subsection under it.

 

[konakona]

why would you want to force the sound out of the rear channel when it was recorded and meant to be listened thru just two channels?

 

[TekDemon]

Originally posted by: dderidex

Originally posted by: Wedge1
Would these work well with the
Logitech Z-3 Speakers w/ Subwoofer? I bought these speakers and the Chaintech soundcard as Christmas gifts for my two neices.

Don't see why not.

I'm going with the Cyber Acoustics speakers, myself.

Wow I really thought you were joking...I had a set of CA speakers that I bought as filler for an order once at like $9...not even worth the $9 in retrospect...
Shoddy quality both in terms of how it sounds and how it'll fall apart even if you hardly use it.

 

[mindless1]

Originally posted by: TekDemon

Wow I really thought you were joking...I had a set of CA speakers that I bought as filler for an order once at like $9...not even worth the $9 in retrospect...
Shoddy quality both in terms of how it sounds and how it'll fall apart even if you hardly use it.

I'll second that, Cyberaccoustic isn't so good in build or sound, nevermind that they can't be 68W because the external power brick could only input less than half that (then subtract for inefficiency). They probably used some 68W-into-2 Ohm BTL amp chip and silly them, they forget to account for every other part of the system being lucky to manage 20W. Oops I almost turned this post into a rant, sorry.

 

[mindless1]

Originally posted by: VanillaH
why would you want to force the sound out of the rear channel when it was recorded and meant to be listened thru just two channels?

A better question might be, "why would one want to hook the two front channel speakers up to the two front channels at all (when the source is only 2 channel) on a AV-710 with it's better rear channel output?"

That is, for best front left and right analog output from two channel source, one would hook up their front left and right speakers to the card's REAR output. Main problem witht hat is if that someone also wanted to use it in true surround mode occasionally, then they'd have to swap the front and rear outputs back and forth (which the right switchbox would do easily enough but it shall be assumed no switchbox due to no mention of one).

 

[Granorense]

I know my question my be off the topic here, but what is the best sound card for music. I have a Sound Blaster Live 5.1 and Logitec Z-560 speakers; would this card (Chaintech) be better then the one I currently own? How does it compare with high end Creative cards like the pros?

 

[mindless1]

Granorense, the newest generation of high-end Creative Cards are fairly good. 2nd-newest generation isn't, there was even a class action suit about how creative deceived customers by claiming (24-bit support or something like that, i forget now).

The "best" sound card for music is one where you use UNresampled digital out. That makes this card as good or better than any creative card. You can't use analog out then run it to mere Logitec speakers and be thinking "best", it just doesn't work that way with audio, all parts in the chain must at least not alter sound (minimally that is).

The creative cards do have better front-channel analog out than the Chaintech's front out. Thus most people wanting 2 channel out analog with the chaintech use the superior rear output channels. IF you need more than 2.1 channels of output then a new higher-end Creative card is your best bet with those speakers. That is, best bet between the two cards, there ARE other cards better than either but they become more and more specialized, not a one-shoe-fits-all situation on some so you need to make up your own mind what's best in high-end cards.

Check out some reviews of cards and especially the forums at an audiophile oriented website(s) like head-fi

 

[genius99]

Originally posted by: mindless1
genius, if your audio is 2 channel you should get 2 channel output. Thus you need a player that supports and audio that has at least 4 channel output for rear speakers.

Or, try that "stereo Expander" feature. You might also try "5.1" mode and check the "Enable Digital Out" box and appropriate subsection under it.

Thanks mindless1, it worked!

I selected 'Stereo EXpander'.