sound card with fiber optical out

[PinchyCM]

doesn't look like creative is giving the emu0404 any support right now so i'm looking for options.

any suggestions?

 

[PurdueRy]

Auzentech cards have vista drivers. I would recommend a simple chaintech sound card but not sure if via has support for vista yet

 

[QuantumPion]

I'm using the SPDIF (toslink) out on my motherboard's onboard soundcard, a realtek AC97, in vista. It works fine, although every time I want to use a digital source like a DVD I have to go to the sound properties page and make spdif the default out, and then change it back to regular speakers for everything else.

 

[PinchyCM]

do you think the 32 bit drivers will work with the 64bit vista?

yeah, i'm not going to be using any analog output - i hook up my pc to a reciever that powers my bookshelves/sub.

 

[PinchyCM]

Anyone try the AuzenTech AZT-XM71? Any good?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: PinchyCM
Anyone try the AuzenTech AZT-XM71? Any good?

If you are looking into that card you would be better off going with the inferno that they also distribute. It strips the card of its analog circuitry but keeps all the digital features(besides a few I/O differences)

 

[PinchyCM]

Ah, cool. Thanks for the heads up.

I think what I'm really looking for is just something that is compatible with vista that has an optical fiber out. This is going to sound dumb, but digital is digital right? I mean, if all the decoding is done via software ie PowerDVD, Foobar, etc... it shouldn't matter, right?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: PinchyCM
Ah, cool. Thanks for the heads up.

I think what I'm really looking for is just something that is compatible with vista that has an optical fiber out. This is going to sound dumb, but digital is digital right? I mean, if all the decoding is done via software ie PowerDVD, Foobar, etc... it shouldn't matter, right?

There should be no decoding done on the digital signal when it is sent out to your receiver to be received as encoded digital audio(provided the source is encoded)

The advantage of these auzentech cards is they can encode into Dolby digital or DTS in real time. This means in games or video sources that normally only support surround sound via analog connections, you can encode to digital and still get surround sound to your receiver.

If you don't see yourself going and playing games at all then a cheap Chaintech AV710 will do the job fine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829120103

If you want some more control over the audio from your computer then I would recommend the previously mentioned inferno sound card.

 

[PinchyCM]

Thanks Purdue Ry. Go Boliers! (I'm a purdue alum)

I can't seem to find any drivers for it to work with Vista.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: PinchyCM
Thanks Purdue Ry. Go Boliers! (I'm a purdue alum)

I can't seem to find any drivers for it to work with Vista.

Assuming you meant the chaintech:

http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=420&OSID=36&CatID=2910&SubCatID=107

 

[PinchyCM]

Er, yeah. Chaintech. My bad. It's been a long day.

I just saw that, they looked a bit old and were betas.

Any testimonals?

 

[hondaf17]

Hey guys,

Thanks to Purdue's suggestions a long time ago, I bought the Auzentech Xplosion sound card and have been very well pleased! Sounds great in games (nevermind the lack of EAX support) and music/movies sound spectacular. I couldn't be happier with the sound quality.

However, perusing their website, it doesn't appear they have 64-bit Vista drivers available for this card. I've got an edition of Vista Ultimate burning a whole on my desk, and the lack of this driver is postponing my install. Any idea if 32-bit would work in 64-bit Vista? I e-mailed Auzentech to see if they're even making 64-bit Vista Xplosion drivers and haven't heard back in about a week.

Cheerio.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: hondaf17
Hey guys,

Thanks to Purdue's suggestions a long time ago, I bought the Auzentech Xplosion sound card and have been very well pleased! Sounds great in games (nevermind the lack of EAX support) and music/movies sound spectacular. I couldn't be happier with the sound quality.

However, perusing their website, it doesn't appear they have 64-bit Vista drivers available for this card. I've got an edition of Vista Ultimate burning a whole on my desk, and the lack of this driver is postponing my install. Any idea if 32-bit would work in 64-bit Vista? I e-mailed Auzentech to see if they're even making 64-bit Vista Xplosion drivers and haven't heard back in about a week.

Cheerio.

From their website:

03/01/07
64-bit Vista drivers for the X-Meridian soundcard are expected in mid-April, 2007.

Hope that helps!

 

[hondaf17]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: hondaf17
Hey guys,

Thanks to Purdue's suggestions a long time ago, I bought the Auzentech Xplosion sound card and have been very well pleased! Sounds great in games (nevermind the lack of EAX support) and music/movies sound spectacular. I couldn't be happier with the sound quality.

However, perusing their website, it doesn't appear they have 64-bit Vista drivers available for this card. I've got an edition of Vista Ultimate burning a whole on my desk, and the lack of this driver is postponing my install. Any idea if 32-bit would work in 64-bit Vista? I e-mailed Auzentech to see if they're even making 64-bit Vista Xplosion drivers and haven't heard back in about a week.

Cheerio.

From their website:

03/01/07
64-bit Vista drivers for the X-Meridian soundcard are expected in mid-April, 2007.

Hope that helps!

Yeah, I saw that, but I've got the X-Plosion!
By the way - since you're in this thread - thanks for your original suggestion to buy this card awhile back - couldn't be happier - now if only they release 64-bit Vista...

 

[hondaf17]

Hey Guys,

I found this, on a review at Newegg. I know it's not the best spot for technical advice, but hopefully he's right:

The XPlosion happily runs using the XMystique's beta x64 drivers on Auzentech's web site. You can run a minijack cable back into your case through a hole and connect it to your front panel audio cable without much trouble if you really need it.

I've got a copy of Vista Ultimate sitting here and if I try it this weekend I'll let you know if I succeed.