My Review of the Creative SB X-Fi

[ChiPCGuy]

After having chucked anything Creative since the SB Live! debacle and Creative's lies and misdirection, I finally felt it *somewhat* safe to go ahead and buy a X-Fi Xtreme Music soundcard. I got it at Best Buy for $99, so could not pass up the deal. That beats even Newegg's price....

First, let me say I transitioned from a Auzentech (previously known as BlueGears) HDA Digital X-Mystique 7.1 card. An awesome card in it's own right.

I installed the X-Fi in the slot closest to my PCI-E slots, per some suggestions I had read on forums. Then, as is typical for a hardware enthusiast, I set aside the install CD that came with the card and downloaded the latest driver from Creative's website and used that instead--wishing to avoid bloatware. The card worked right off the bat, and I was able to switch between "Gaming" and "Entertainment" modes using the Creative Console. I then realized that the Console was lacking an equalizer. I combed the driver, and could not find one. Hmmm. I guess I HAVE to load some of that bloatware. So, I uninstalled the driver and then loaded the driver disk and was VERY selective in what I installed. I installed all of the applicable consoles, the console switcher, the THX console (critical..more on that later), the speaker setup wizard, and finally the August driver. No issues upon reboot. I then upgraded the driver immediately to the latest from Creative's website.

Ah! Now I have an EQ, it is found in the graphical consoles, not in the more basic driver interface.

At this point, though, I started getting a little disappointed in the card. Creative, amazingly, has skipped TOSLINK digital out and even more amazingly makes you use a 3.5mm mini connector to RCA converter to get Coax digital out. Ok, this card is definitely NOT for those who are geared for digital output to a receiver. I quickly came to the realization that this is a card geared for ANALOG using the DACs on the card.

In stark contrast, my Auzentech X-Mystique has both a TOSLINK and standard RCA jack for digital I/O. Heck, even my on-board ALC882 audio (I am using an ASUS A8R32-MVP mobo) has both of those connectors.

But, back to the Creative card. I started playing music as I am somewhat of a Trance/Dance/Techno freak and generally love anything above 120bpm with a heavy beat. I started fiddling with the 24 bit Crystalizer and CMSS-3D to get the "best" sounding music that I could. I found out that my rear Logitech Z-5500 speakers just did not sound...right. Nor the center. I then banked on letting the Creative card control my speakers completely, and set my Logitechs to their default settings. I had previously jacked up my rear speaker sound to compensate for their distance from me, but had done so on the Logitech control pod. I then played some more music and now I hardly had any sound from the rear speakers while using the CMSS-3D. Frustrated, I used the speaker setup wizard and I still could not make things sound right.

Ahhh!!!! Ready to swear off Creative for another decade or so and return the card, I then stumbled on the THX console. This is where you can setup your speakers and subwoofer to compensate for angle and distance. I did so, and WOW. Now we are talking turkey....

I started experimenting with music and found my best setup was with the Crystalizer set to 30% (the default is OFF, and when you turn it on it defaults to 50%) and CMSS-3D set to "Stereo Surround". "Stereo Xpand" just did not sound right. I then set the EQ to Dance and life is now good. The sound is awesome...very punchy base and incredibly loud and clear music. If my neighbors did not hate me before, they will NOW! I live in an apartment....

I then loaded up Doom 3, and then downloaded the latest patch with includes the EAX patch for EAX 4.0. I switched modes to "Gaming" using the Creative Mode Switcher. I noticed that by default the Crystalizer is still disabled in this mode. I turned it on, but put it at 30%. I left the EQ on, but FLAT. I left the CMSS-3D at Stereo Xpand, interested in seeing if it would work right in games. It did.

Doom3 with EAX 4.0 is incredible. That is all I can say. I can have a character speaking in the center of my LCD and then turn right and start hearing the sound from my left speaker. Incredible positioning. I also noticed for the first time that I could hear monsters sneaking up BEHIND me from my rear speakers, and usually I can tell from which direction behind me. This is too cool. I have gamed for dozens of hours and have had no issues--no lockups or BSODs.

Ok, Creative is starting to make me a believer again.

I went back into the Game Console using the Creative Console Launcher (ok, the learning curve for these drivers is pretty high) and tried out the CMSS-3D in Stereo Surround like I had with Entertainment mode. No difference in sound between Stereo Surround and Stereo Xpand in Doom3. Interesting.

Now, for the Auzentech HDA Digital X-Mytique. I had been using that card since it hit the market--more than six months ago. By comparison, it has incredible digital output and Dolby Digital Live! 5.1 hardware encoding. I was able to set my Logitech Z-5500 pod to Optical digital and then Stereo X2 for music on the control pod (the pod would remember to use Stereo X2 for two channel audio) and when I switched the far simpler Auzentech control panel to Dolby Digital Live! 5.1, the pod would automatically recognize Dolby Digital as the input. Largely, I used the Logitech control pod plus a software EQ such as found in iTunes to control how the music/movie sounded. For movies, I have found the Auzentech card is unbeatable. Let me restate that:

For movies, especially when using the Dolby Digital Live! 5.1 hardware encoding to my Logitech Z-5500 on TOSLINK, the Auzentech card totally stomps, burns, tramples, trashes, and mutilates the X-Fi. And that is understating it.

For music, the Auzentech card is OK. Not the most incredible sound, and I could not tell the difference between using the DACs in the control pod when outputting via digital or the DACs on the Auzentech card when outputting analog. That tells me that the DACs in the Logitech pod on the Z-5500 are on-par with the DACs of the Auzentech card---nothing to write home about, but not bad either. Better than on-board sound. The Auzentech driver does not have an EQ, so you need to rely on the EQ found in your favorite software music player. Not a biggie, but still.

For gaming, the Auzentech is still OK. About on-par with on-board sound in terms of FPS, but better sound. It supports EAX 2.0, but that is the limit since Creative has monopolized the market and refuses to license anything higher. The positional audio of the Auzentech card is so-so. Not horrible, but nothing like the X-Fi.

So, when it comes to gaming especially, the X-Fi totally trashes, stomps, burns, tramples, and thrashes the HDA Digital X-Mystique.

As for driver footprint. The Creative console this and that and switcher this and that eat up a LOT of RAM. I am counting around 25MB in Task Manager. Woah. The Auzentech card eats about 8MB. Good thing I have 2 Gigs!

So, in summation:

X-Fi Xtreme Music Pros:

Best gaming card there is in terms of positional audio
Very good analog sound output--probably the best you can get in this price range
Highly customizable sound experience
Maximum FPS available for games due to onboard audio processor

X-Fi Xtreme Music Cons:

Digital I/O configuration is stuck in the mid 1990s (read: VERY LACKING)
Drivers are pigs, RAM usage-wise
Steeeeeeeeep learning curve for getting your sound system setup and everything working
Drivers will forever remain "in question" stability-wise in MY MIND
No Dolby Digital Live! 5.1? Even the ALC882D has that....

Auzentech HDA Digital X-Mystique Pros:

The best card out there for movies when using Dolby Digital Live! 5.1 hardware encoding over digital to a receiver
Superior digital I/O outputs, short of a pro-audio quality sound card that will cost hundreds more
Very small footprint drivers
Upgradable OPAMPS
Decent sound, better than on-board
Proven stable drivers, never seem to cause an issue for anybody

Auzentech HDA Digital X-Mystique Cons:

Drivers are not very flexible, not much to configure
No EQ in the drivers
Analog sound quality could be better..you can change this, but you have to spend $35 at Digikey.com to replace the six OPAMPS on the card with Ti Burr Browns
Positional audio is about as good as on-board sound...not sure WHO to blame, though
A small hit in FPS is taken in games as compared to the X-Fi


I hope someone finds this review/comparison useful.

Edited for spelling!

 

[Bluestealth]

Nice Review, someone finally got that the X-Fi was an analog card, instead of just saying something like OMFG why is there no DDL/DTS Live!... it would be nice if they added those features in their next card, but the analog outs are good enough that I think it would be fine to hook it up to any receiver, albeit with more cables.

You used to be able to get an I/O module for creative cards that added all your outputs and inputs, not sure what happened to that but the header is probably still there.
Although anyone who has tried to order accessories for their creative card knows that they are hard to locate, and even harder to find in the US, sometimes more is available in Europe, of course this aforementioned accessory does nothing about encoding to DTS/Dolby.

I am sure they could drop the AD_Link external connector to a daughter board, or include a digital I/O daughter board, or just bundle the Digital I/O module? Also an X-Gamer card would be nice, you know X-RAM without live-drive or Fatal1ty LED. Perhaps even a card with upgraded DACs but no external drive.

Found the new I/O module that plugs into the top slot on the card 🙂
Digital I/0 Module

 

[ChiPCGuy]

Originally posted by: Bluestealth
Nice Review, someone finally got that the X-Fi was an analog card, instead of just saying something like OMFG why is there no DDL/DTS Live!... it would be nice if they added those features in their next card, but the analog outs are good enough that I think it would be fine to hook it up to any receiver, albeit with more cables.

You used to be able to get an I/O module for creative cards that added all your outputs and inputs, not sure what happened to that but the header is probably still there.
Although anyone who has tried to order accessories for their creative card knows that they are hard to locate, and even harder to find in the US, sometimes more is available in Europe, of course this aforementioned accessory does nothing about encoding to DTS/Dolby.

I am sure they could drop the AD_Link external connector to a daughter board, or include a digital I/O daughter board, or just bundle the Digital I/O module? Also an X-Gamer card would be nice, you know X-RAM without live-drive or Fatal1ty LED. Perhaps even a card with upgraded DACs but no external drive.

Found the new I/O module that plugs into the top slot on the card 🙂
Digital I/0 Module

Thanks for that link! Anyway, you are right, though in that it really makes no difference at this point since I no longer have DTS/Dolby hardware encoding. Almost a moot point, given the very analog nature of the X-Fi.

Edited to say, though, that using the HDA Digital X-Mystique outputting DD Live! via the hardware encoder, there is a VERY noticable difference vs. the X-Fi. The X-Mystique will nearly make you blow your load in your pants with the clarity and overall immersion inmovies. The X-Fi is just...OK. My take on it, I am sure someone else will think differently.

 

[Bluestealth]

There is a bypass feature to hand off decoding in the X-Fi to an external decoder... might be worth a shot, don't have the card(only have the Audigy 2 ZS) so I can't tell you were it is in the myriad of a control panel. I don't think the software decoder in the Creative suite is that great as well btw.

 

[extra]

The reason you noticed no difference in the CMSS modes in doom3 is because CMSS doesn't do its processing to already surround sound output, it only messes with the stereo stuff to expand it to fill all the speakers.

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: ChiPCGuy
For movies, especially when using the Dolby Digital Live! 5.1 hardware encoding to my Logitech Z-5500 on TOSLINK, the Auzentech card totally stomps, burns, tramples, trashes, and mutilates the X-Fi. And that is understating it.

Que? So you prefer the degradation inherent to decoding a compressed stream, then re-encoding it then decoding it yet again then converting to analog via low grade DAC's? The unmolested stream out from either the X-Fi or the Auzentech should be noticeably better than all that. Better still, the X-Fi analog out surely has superior DAC's to that PC sound kit so barring any interference should only be limited by the low-grade amplifier before being limited by the speakers. It "sounds" to me that you are more keen on altering sound than trying to reproduce it as intended. Whateva flizoats yer bizoat. 😛

 

[imaheadcase]

Worst soundcard EVER.

http://forums.creative.com/creativelabs...board.id=soundblaster&message.id=31426

That thread is the only open thread about the subject cause Creative shuts down any new thread about the popping/crackling issue that is happening to countless users.

I will sum on that 100+ page thread for you all here.

Creative has reproduced the crackling noises users have had. They can NOT find a fix for it, they will not replace our cards because its past 30 day return.

They have been promising new drivers to fix the issue for months now, some people who RMA the cards back for a new one got the SAME card back in mail with creative claiming its a NEW one. lol

What makes this worse is that people who buy this card it could be a month or so before the crackling popping noises appear. So lots of good reviews for the card show up online before the problems start for users.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Auric

Originally posted by: ChiPCGuy
For movies, especially when using the Dolby Digital Live! 5.1 hardware encoding to my Logitech Z-5500 on TOSLINK, the Auzentech card totally stomps, burns, tramples, trashes, and mutilates the X-Fi. And that is understating it.

Que? So you prefer the degradation inherent to decoding a compressed stream, then re-encoding it then decoding it yet again then converting to analog via low grade DAC's? The unmolested stream out from either the X-Fi or the Auzentech should be noticeably better than all that. Better still, the X-Fi analog out surely has superior DAC's to that PC sound kit so barring any interference should only be limited by the low-grade amplifier before being limited by the speakers. It "sounds" to me that you are more keen on altering sound than trying to reproduce it as intended. Whateva flizoats yer bizoat. 😛

LOL exactly, in movies the DD encoding should be doing NOTHiNG as the sound is already encoded!

 

[erikistired]

hmmm. my speakers sound okay but maybe i'll go back and install the THX console and fiddle with it.

 

[ChiPCGuy]

Originally posted by: Auric

Originally posted by: ChiPCGuy
For movies, especially when using the Dolby Digital Live! 5.1 hardware encoding to my Logitech Z-5500 on TOSLINK, the Auzentech card totally stomps, burns, tramples, trashes, and mutilates the X-Fi. And that is understating it.

Que? So you prefer the degradation inherent to decoding a compressed stream, then re-encoding it then decoding it yet again then converting to analog via low grade DAC's? The unmolested stream out from either the X-Fi or the Auzentech should be noticeably better than all that. Better still, the X-Fi analog out surely has superior DAC's to that PC sound kit so barring any interference should only be limited by the low-grade amplifier before being limited by the speakers. It "sounds" to me that you are more keen on altering sound than trying to reproduce it as intended. Whateva flizoats yer bizoat. 😛

I am not trying to start a flame war here. I gave what I think is a balanced review of both cards, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses alike.

To me, the DD Live! hardware based encoding and then decoding at the receiver over TOSLINK sounds brighter and more immersive than the X-Fi. I am not saying the X-Fi is bad.

There could be other factors involved in why the sound out of the X-Mystique in this particular situation sounds better than than the X-Fi besides the DACs involved.

Let me ask you this: Have YOU ever had the opportunity to compare the two yourself? Further, have you bothered to write up a balanced review giving your experiences between two soundcards that are both very good in their own respective realms?

You folks need to turn down the fanboism. I am keeping the X-Fi because for me I believe it to be the better card, given my usage pattern. If all I watched was DVD movies on my PC then the X-Fi would not have a spot in my system.

 

[ChiPCGuy]

Originally posted by: fisher
hmmm. my speakers sound okay but maybe i'll go back and install the THX console and fiddle with it.

You may or may not get better sound out of your speakers using the THX console. I am giving my experiences in my environment only, which is certainly unique and different from yours. You might not need to fiddle with anything.

 

[ChiPCGuy]

Originally posted by: imaheadcase
Worst soundcard EVER.

http://forums.creative.com/creativelabs...board.id=soundblaster&message.id=31426

That thread is the only open thread about the subject cause Creative shuts down any new thread about the popping/crackling issue that is happening to countless users.

I will sum on that 100+ page thread for you all here.

Creative has reproduced the crackling noises users have had. They can NOT find a fix for it, they will not replace our cards because its past 30 day return.

They have been promising new drivers to fix the issue for months now, some people who RMA the cards back for a new one got the SAME card back in mail with creative claiming its a NEW one. lol

What makes this worse is that people who buy this card it could be a month or so before the crackling popping noises appear. So lots of good reviews for the card show up online before the problems start for users.

LET ME SAY THIS AGAIN. THIS THREAD IS NOT TO START A FLAME WAR. DAMN IT!

I have not noticed any popping or crackling with the X-Fi.

If other users have, then I don't know what to make of it. I can say that if I had detected any crackling or popping I would have highlighted it in the review.

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: ChiPCGuy

Originally posted by: imaheadcase
Worst soundcard EVER.

http://forums.creative.com/creativelabs...board.id=soundblaster&message.id=31426

That thread is the only open thread about the subject cause Creative shuts down any new thread about the popping/crackling issue that is happening to countless users.

I will sum on that 100+ page thread for you all here.

Creative has reproduced the crackling noises users have had. They can NOT find a fix for it, they will not replace our cards because its past 30 day return.

They have been promising new drivers to fix the issue for months now, some people who RMA the cards back for a new one got the SAME card back in mail with creative claiming its a NEW one. lol

What makes this worse is that people who buy this card it could be a month or so before the crackling popping noises appear. So lots of good reviews for the card show up online before the problems start for users.

LET ME SAY THIS AGAIN. THIS THREAD IS NOT TO START A FLAME WAR. DAMN IT!

I have not noticed any popping or crackling with the X-Fi.

If other users have, then I don't know what to make of it. I can say that if I had detected any crackling or popping I would have highlighted it in the review.

ignore this guy. he's posting his doom and gloom in every xfi thread on the board.

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: ChiPCGuy

Originally posted by: fisher
hmmm. my speakers sound okay but maybe i'll go back and install the THX console and fiddle with it.

You may or may not get better sound out of your speakers using the THX console. I am giving my experiences in my environment only, which is certainly unique and different from yours. You might not need to fiddle with anything.

i'm still messing with the settings. surround sounds horrid in GUN but i think that's the game, not the sound card settings. in everything else it sounds good.

 

[imaheadcase]

Why would you want to ignore me? lol

Im just posting in every thread about X- FI because don't you think people would want to know before they buy the card the problems it has? *sigh kids*

 

[ChiPCGuy]

Originally posted by: imaheadcase
Why would you want to ignore me? lol

Im just posting in every thread about X- FI because don't you think people would want to know before they buy the card the problems it has? *sigh kids*

I do not advocate ignoring you. I, however, am not overly appreciative of your attempt to hijack the thread into a "do not buy this or that" when I am trying to give a balanced view based upon my findings.

If Creative has again covered up large scale issues the word will spread again and Creative will be on just about everyone's dung list again (including mine) but this has not been proven a fact yet and time will tell.

 

[Pariah]

Let me ask you this: Have YOU ever had the opportunity to compare the two yourself? Further, have you bothered to write up a balanced review giving your experiences between two soundcards that are both very good in their own respective realms?

You folks need to turn down the fanboism. I am keeping the X-Fi because for me I believe it to be the better card, given my usage pattern. If all I watched was DVD movies on my PC then the X-Fi would not have a spot in my system.

We don't have to use either card to know if they are not doing the decoding of the DD stream and simply passing the stream to another decoder then the cards should sound exactly the same. That's why everyone is crying foul, because what you claim doesn't make any sense. Either you have configuration discrepancies between the 2 cards, or you're hearing differences that aren't there.

 

[ChiPCGuy]

Originally posted by: Pariah

Let me ask you this: Have YOU ever had the opportunity to compare the two yourself? Further, have you bothered to write up a balanced review giving your experiences between two soundcards that are both very good in their own respective realms?

You folks need to turn down the fanboism. I am keeping the X-Fi because for me I believe it to be the better card, given my usage pattern. If all I watched was DVD movies on my PC then the X-Fi would not have a spot in my system.

We don't have to use either card to know if they are not doing the decoding of the DD stream and simply passing the stream to another decoder then the cards should sound exactly the same. That's why everyone is crying foul, because what you claim doesn't make any sense. Either you have configuration discrepancies between the 2 cards, or you're hearing differences that aren't there.

That is exactly my point. They do NOT sound exactly the same. The reason why is the Auzentech card is capable of HARDWARE ENCODING DOLBY DIGITAL signals USING AN ONBOARD PROCESSOR. The X-Fi DOES NOT possess this capability. You are probably right if I used a direct digital signal over SPDIF to the external decoder using TOSLINK on both cards then they would probably sound the same. But THEY DON'T because the X-Fi does NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO ENCODE IN HARDWARE.

FURTHER, the X-Fi does NOT HAVE TOSLINK OUTPUT.

Let me restate myself: When using DD Live! 5.1 hardware encoding out of the Auzentech card via TOSLINK to an external decoder in MOVIES, the Auzentech card stops, thrashes, trashes, burns, and generally mutilates the X-Fi in brightness and immersiveness of sound. In movies. Over TOSLINK. When using hardware encoded DD Live signaling to an external decoder. I am NOT THE FIRST ONE TO POINT THIS FACT OUT. READ SOME OTHER GODDAMN REVIEWS AND SEE WHAT I MEAN.

Just how much more clear do I have to make myself?

 

[ChiPCGuy]

Originally posted by: Pariah

Let me ask you this: Have YOU ever had the opportunity to compare the two yourself? Further, have you bothered to write up a balanced review giving your experiences between two soundcards that are both very good in their own respective realms?

You folks need to turn down the fanboism. I am keeping the X-Fi because for me I believe it to be the better card, given my usage pattern. If all I watched was DVD movies on my PC then the X-Fi would not have a spot in my system.

We don't have to use either card to know if they are not doing the decoding of the DD stream and simply passing the stream to another decoder then the cards should sound exactly the same. That's why everyone is crying foul, because what you claim doesn't make any sense. Either you have configuration discrepancies between the 2 cards, or you're hearing differences that aren't there.

And one more thing in YOUR CASE ESPECIALLY PARIAH. You are the ultimate Creative fanboy and we have had our arguments in the past over Creative cards.

I have already indicated that I am keeping the X-Fi and that the X-Fi's advantages outweighed the disadvantages AND the advantages of the X-Mystique simultaneously. So, what more do you want?

The rabid fanboism for Creative is nearly enough for me to want to rip the X-Fi out and put the Auzentech back in just to spite you guys. That is how pissed I am getting.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: ChiPCGuy

Originally posted by: Pariah

Let me ask you this: Have YOU ever had the opportunity to compare the two yourself? Further, have you bothered to write up a balanced review giving your experiences between two soundcards that are both very good in their own respective realms?

You folks need to turn down the fanboism. I am keeping the X-Fi because for me I believe it to be the better card, given my usage pattern. If all I watched was DVD movies on my PC then the X-Fi would not have a spot in my system.

We don't have to use either card to know if they are not doing the decoding of the DD stream and simply passing the stream to another decoder then the cards should sound exactly the same. That's why everyone is crying foul, because what you claim doesn't make any sense. Either you have configuration discrepancies between the 2 cards, or you're hearing differences that aren't there.

And one more thing in YOUR CASE ESPECIALLY PARIAH. You are the ultimate Creative fanboy and we have had our arguments in the past over Creative cards.

I have already indicated that I am keeping the X-Fi and that the X-Fi's advantages outweighed the disadvantages AND the advantages of the X-Mystique simultaneously. So, what more do you want?

The rabid fanboism for Creative is nearly enough for me to want to rip the X-Fi out and put the Auzentech back in just to spite you guys. That is how pissed I am getting.

Relax. Does it help you to know that I hate Creative for their crappy software and for the way they ruthlessly crushed Aureal?

 

[Pariah]

ChiPCGuy, you're not getting, this has nothing to do with Creative or Auzentech or any other company. This is simple common knowledge among anyone who knows anything about home theater equipment. All you're doing by your ranting is proving you don't know what you are talking about.

Maybe someone here can explain to us why ChiPCGuy is bringing up DD Live! encoding when talking about watching DVD movies which are already encoded in DD streams? Makes no sense to me.

Oh, and for the record, my X-Fi does have a TOS link connector. Not that it matters, as all X-Fi cards have standard SPDIF out.

 

[ChiPCGuy]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: ChiPCGuy

Originally posted by: Pariah

Let me ask you this: Have YOU ever had the opportunity to compare the two yourself? Further, have you bothered to write up a balanced review giving your experiences between two soundcards that are both very good in their own respective realms?

You folks need to turn down the fanboism. I am keeping the X-Fi because for me I believe it to be the better card, given my usage pattern. If all I watched was DVD movies on my PC then the X-Fi would not have a spot in my system.

We don't have to use either card to know if they are not doing the decoding of the DD stream and simply passing the stream to another decoder then the cards should sound exactly the same. That's why everyone is crying foul, because what you claim doesn't make any sense. Either you have configuration discrepancies between the 2 cards, or you're hearing differences that aren't there.

And one more thing in YOUR CASE ESPECIALLY PARIAH. You are the ultimate Creative fanboy and we have had our arguments in the past over Creative cards.

I have already indicated that I am keeping the X-Fi and that the X-Fi's advantages outweighed the disadvantages AND the advantages of the X-Mystique simultaneously. So, what more do you want?

The rabid fanboism for Creative is nearly enough for me to want to rip the X-Fi out and put the Auzentech back in just to spite you guys. That is how pissed I am getting.

Relax. Does it help you to know that I hate Creative for their crappy software and for the way they ruthlessly crushed Aureal?

Not really, but thanks for the thought. I don't agree with what Creative did, either, on multiple issues besides just how they eliminate competition. I have not found their latest X-Fi software to be "crap" per se, but certainly confusing and your average noob user would be at a near total loss to get the most out of the card.

As for relaxing, just seeing Pariah post is enough for me to want to reach for a few Xanax..........

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: ChiPCGuy

Originally posted by: Pariah

Let me ask you this: Have YOU ever had the opportunity to compare the two yourself? Further, have you bothered to write up a balanced review giving your experiences between two soundcards that are both very good in their own respective realms?

You folks need to turn down the fanboism. I am keeping the X-Fi because for me I believe it to be the better card, given my usage pattern. If all I watched was DVD movies on my PC then the X-Fi would not have a spot in my system.

We don't have to use either card to know if they are not doing the decoding of the DD stream and simply passing the stream to another decoder then the cards should sound exactly the same. That's why everyone is crying foul, because what you claim doesn't make any sense. Either you have configuration discrepancies between the 2 cards, or you're hearing differences that aren't there.

That is exactly my point. They do NOT sound exactly the same. The reason why is the Auzentech card is capable of HARDWARE ENCODING DOLBY DIGITAL signals USING AN ONBOARD PROCESSOR. The X-Fi DOES NOT possess this capability. You are probably right if I used a direct digital signal over SPDIF to the external decoder using TOSLINK on both cards then they would probably sound the same. But THEY DON'T because the X-Fi does NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO ENCODE IN HARDWARE.

FURTHER, the X-Fi does NOT HAVE TOSLINK OUTPUT.

Let me restate myself: When using DD Live! 5.1 hardware encoding out of the Auzentech card via TOSLINK to an external decoder in MOVIES, the Auzentech card stops, thrashes, trashes, burns, and generally mutilates the X-Fi in brightness and immersiveness of sound. In movies. Over TOSLINK. When using hardware encoded DD Live signaling to an external decoder. I am NOT THE FIRST ONE TO POINT THIS FACT OUT. READ SOME OTHER GODDAMN REVIEWS AND SEE WHAT I MEAN.

Just how much more clear do I have to make myself?

You are awfully defensive. Just cool it, we're not "flaming" you or trying to insult you. We are just pointing out an error in your review.

Movie audio is already ENCODED in DD or DTS. Therefore the Auzentech card does not use its DD encoding abilities. You cannot REENCODE an encoded signal...at least not in this case.

It is FULLY possible that the auzentech does movies audio better. However, it is NOT due to the encoding ability of the card.

 

[ChiPCGuy]

Originally posted by: Pariah
ChiPCGuy, you're not getting, this has nothing to do with Creative or Auzentech or any other company. This is simple common knowledge among anyone who knows anything about home theater equipment. All you're doing by your ranting is proving you don't know what you are talking about.

Maybe someone here can explain to us why ChiPCGuy is bringing up DD Live! encoding when talking about watching DVD movies which are already encoded in DD streams? Makes no sense to me.

Oh, and for the record, my X-Fi does have a TOS link connector. Not that it matters, as all X-Fi cards have standard SPDIF out.

If you are so sure I am so wrong, why don't YOU explain?

The X-Fi Xtreme Music sound card does not have TOSLINK. It does not have standard SPDIF out either. Standard SPDIF would involve the use of a RCA connector. You have to buy an adapter for the X-Fi.

You can also buy an add-on dongle that connects to the mini jack that converts to TOSLINK and RCA, but you have to spend extra money. My point there is that no one else makes you pay extra to get this besides Creative and that is why I dinged them for this.

You refuse to acknowledge even the slightest and most obvious shortcomings of your beloved Creative?

 

[ChiPCGuy]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: ChiPCGuy

Originally posted by: Pariah

Let me ask you this: Have YOU ever had the opportunity to compare the two yourself? Further, have you bothered to write up a balanced review giving your experiences between two soundcards that are both very good in their own respective realms?

You folks need to turn down the fanboism. I am keeping the X-Fi because for me I believe it to be the better card, given my usage pattern. If all I watched was DVD movies on my PC then the X-Fi would not have a spot in my system.

We don't have to use either card to know if they are not doing the decoding of the DD stream and simply passing the stream to another decoder then the cards should sound exactly the same. That's why everyone is crying foul, because what you claim doesn't make any sense. Either you have configuration discrepancies between the 2 cards, or you're hearing differences that aren't there.

That is exactly my point. They do NOT sound exactly the same. The reason why is the Auzentech card is capable of HARDWARE ENCODING DOLBY DIGITAL signals USING AN ONBOARD PROCESSOR. The X-Fi DOES NOT possess this capability. You are probably right if I used a direct digital signal over SPDIF to the external decoder using TOSLINK on both cards then they would probably sound the same. But THEY DON'T because the X-Fi does NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO ENCODE IN HARDWARE.

FURTHER, the X-Fi does NOT HAVE TOSLINK OUTPUT.

Let me restate myself: When using DD Live! 5.1 hardware encoding out of the Auzentech card via TOSLINK to an external decoder in MOVIES, the Auzentech card stops, thrashes, trashes, burns, and generally mutilates the X-Fi in brightness and immersiveness of sound. In movies. Over TOSLINK. When using hardware encoded DD Live signaling to an external decoder. I am NOT THE FIRST ONE TO POINT THIS FACT OUT. READ SOME OTHER GODDAMN REVIEWS AND SEE WHAT I MEAN.

Just how much more clear do I have to make myself?

You are awfully defensive. Just cool it, we're not "flaming" you or trying to insult you. We are just pointing out an error in your review.

Movie audio is already ENCODED in DD or DTS. Therefore the Auzentech card does not use its DD encoding abilities. You cannot REENCODE an encoded signal...at least not in this case.

It is FULLY possible that the auzentech does movies audio better. However, it is NOT due to the encoding ability of the card.

I am defensive because basically I am being told that I am hearing things that are not there (not by you) or that somehow I am wrong about what I am hearing.

I do thank you for taking the moment to acknowledge that the Auzentech card may do movies better, and not necessarily because of the DD Live encoding capability. As I replied earlier, there might be other factors in play here besides DACs as well. I cannot say exactly WHY the Auzentech sounds better in movies, I can only point out that it does. And the difference is not subtle. It is major.