X-fi to Home audio Receiver?

[zetachi]

Anyone know if it is possible to hook up an X-fi card to a home audio receiver?

I'm looking to upgrade and would like to know if it is possible since I don't want to buy another set of surround sound speakers since i already have a set hooked up to my tv and stereo.

Thanks

Z

PS what's your opinion on this ...Newegg has the Xtreme Gamer and the Extreme Gamer Fatality on sale with rebates. Gamer is $49.99 AMIR Fatality is $85.99.

Think its worth the price difference for the Fatality?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

You can hook up an X-Fi, but there may be some issues depending on what you're trying to accomplish and what kind of connections the receiver has. Getting a different card may be your best bet for an easy connection.

This might answer some of your questions.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...1=digital+audio+thread

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: zetachi
Anyone know if it is possible to hook up an X-fi card to a home audio receiver?

I'm looking to upgrade and would like to know if it is possible since I don't want to buy another set of surround sound speakers since i already have a set hooked up to my tv and stereo.

Thanks

Z

PS what's your opinion on this ...Newegg has the Xtreme Gamer and the Extreme Gamer Fatality on sale with rebates. Gamer is $49.99 AMIR Fatality is $85.99.

Think its worth the price difference for the Fatality?

Yep, its easy enough just use Mini to RCA adapters from the X-Fi to your 5/6/7.1 inputs on your receiver. Your TV/cable/DVD player should be using Toslink/Digital Coax/HDMI for sound so no conflict there. Fatality isn't worth it over the Xtreme Gamer since X-Ram is useless (and possibly problematic with memory addressing and some configurations). I got the Fatility Pro for the face plate but you get a glowing red "F" that's visible if you have a side panel.

Another, newer option is the Auzentech X-Fi Prelude which also does real-time Dolby Digital Encoding I believe. My guess is that it encodes EAX 5 into a DD audio stream which can then be run to your receiver via toslink/digital coax and decoded.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: zetachi
Anyone know if it is possible to hook up an X-fi card to a home audio receiver?

I'm looking to upgrade and would like to know if it is possible since I don't want to buy another set of surround sound speakers since i already have a set hooked up to my tv and stereo.

Thanks

Z

PS what's your opinion on this ...Newegg has the Xtreme Gamer and the Extreme Gamer Fatality on sale with rebates. Gamer is $49.99 AMIR Fatality is $85.99.

Think its worth the price difference for the Fatality?

Yep, its easy enough just use Mini to RCA adapters from the X-Fi to your 5/6/7.1 inputs on your receiver. Your TV/cable/DVD player should be using Toslink/Digital Coax/HDMI for sound so no conflict there. Fatality isn't worth it over the Xtreme Gamer since X-Ram is useless (and possibly problematic with memory addressing and some configurations). I got the Fatility Pro for the face plate but you get a glowing red "F" that's visible if you have a side panel.

Another, newer option is the Auzentech X-Fi Prelude which also does real-time Dolby Digital Encoding I believe. My guess is that it encodes EAX 5 into a DD audio stream which can then be run to your receiver via toslink/digital coax and decoded.

And keep in mind that depending on your card, creative may need the "camcorder" type cables to get higher than 5.1 since they still try to use 3 jacks to get you 6.1 or 7.1 with their implementation.

 

[zetachi]

OK update seems my older receiver only has RCA left and right connections. Its a Kenwood VR-615 from a theater in a box system. So which connector from the X-fi would i use. The receiver also has CD/DVD Optical and coaxial digital connectors.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: zetachi
OK update seems my older receiver only has RCA left and right connections. Its a Kenwood VR-615 from a theater in a box system. So which connector from the X-fi would i use. The receiver also has CD/DVD Optical and coaxial digital connectors.

The VR-615 should have 3 pairs of RCA left/right connections right? That's standard 5.1 ch analog input. You'll need three 3.5mm stereo miniplug to RCA adapters, one for center/sub, front left/right, and rear left/right. The cable itself looks like one 3.5mm mini (headphone for small electronics) to two RCA plugs. The iPod to stereo adapters are the same thing, although you may want to get something with smaller mini plug profiles since you'll need to plug 3 mini into the back of your X-Fi adjacent to one another.

Mini to RCA adapter

You can search around for "gold-plated" or shielded ones. Most say it doesn't matter but they're not expensive anyways, maybe $8 each from Radioshack or BestBuy.

 

[Crizza]

If you have an open coax or optical input, just get one of these to go with your card and you're set:
http://us.creative.com/product...tegory=55&product=1780

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Crizza
If you have an open coax or optical input, just get one of these to go with your card and you're set:
http://us.creative.com/product...tegory=55&product=1780

Except I bet he expects surround sound when he's gaming

 

[zetachi]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Crizza
If you have an open coax or optical input, just get one of these to go with your card and you're set:
http://us.creative.com/product...tegory=55&product=1780

Except I bet he expects surround sound when he's gaming

I only use my Sennheiser PC150 for Gaming not speakers

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: zetachi

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Crizza
If you have an open coax or optical input, just get one of these to go with your card and you're set:
http://us.creative.com/product...tegory=55&product=1780

Except I bet he expects surround sound when he's gaming

I only use my Sennheiser PC150 for Gaming not speakers

If you only use headphones for gaming you can just run a digital coax from the X-Fi to your receiver if you have a free coax input available. You'll need a mono 3.5mm to RCA converter for this (its just a gold plug, 3.5mm male to RCA female). Keep in mind though you won't get any of the X-Fi's EAX/CMSS and various other DSP features this way, as the X-Fi's digital outputs are passthrough only. Plug your headphones into the main front speaker output (3.5mm converter should be included with your headphones) and you'll get EAX through your headphones. Some people like it but others say its a bit overwhelming as it feels there's a war going on in the middle of your brain.

 

[zetachi]

Is this what I need for digital Coax?

http://www.monoprice.com/produ...=1&format=1#largeimage

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: zetachi
Is this what I need for digital Coax?

http://www.monoprice.com/produ...=1&format=1#largeimage

Ya, but only get the 25ft one if you really need 25ft. Otherwise you'll have a whole lot of extra wiring and increase chance for interference/loss.

You'll also need one of these Mini to RCA adapter. Looks like Monoprice is out of em but you can get one at Radioshack for like $2-3. They're a bit nicer too, all copper with gold-plating.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Crizza
If you have an open coax or optical input, just get one of these to go with your card and you're set:
http://us.creative.com/product...tegory=55&product=1780

Except I bet he expects surround sound when he's gaming

My X-Fi is connected via digital coaxial (through that I/O module) to a Yamaha receiver, and I have superb sound in music, films as well as games... absolutely superb!

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Crizza
If you have an open coax or optical input, just get one of these to go with your card and you're set:
http://us.creative.com/product...tegory=55&product=1780

Except I bet he expects surround sound when he's gaming

My X-Fi is connected via digital coaxial (through that I/O module) to a Yamaha receiver, and I have superb sound in music, films as well as games... absolutely superb!

The only downside with that is there is very little benefit to having an X-fi when just using the digital connection.

 

[zetachi]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Crizza
If you have an open coax or optical input, just get one of these to go with your card and you're set:
http://us.creative.com/product...tegory=55&product=1780

Except I bet he expects surround sound when he's gaming

My X-Fi is connected via digital coaxial (through that I/O module) to a Yamaha receiver, and I have superb sound in music, films as well as games... absolutely superb!

The only downside with that is there is very little benefit to having an X-fi when just using the digital connection.

what would you suggest in this situation? Also wil I still be able to connect the mike from my headset since the their are two seperate lines on the headset.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: zetachi

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Crizza
If you have an open coax or optical input, just get one of these to go with your card and you're set:
http://us.creative.com/product...tegory=55&product=1780

Except I bet he expects surround sound when he's gaming

My X-Fi is connected via digital coaxial (through that I/O module) to a Yamaha receiver, and I have superb sound in music, films as well as games... absolutely superb!

The only downside with that is there is very little benefit to having an X-fi when just using the digital connection.

what would you suggest in this situation? Also wil I still be able to connect the mike from my headset since the their are two seperate lines on the headset.

Good question. I would probably go with the digital connection for ease. Then use your headset straight out of the X-fi. Sure, you will be bypassing it for when you use the receiver...but its much easier, cheaper and easily configurable connection. People often have problems getting the 6 channel direct cables to a receiver working well for some reason.

I did it in the past, it wasn't fun, but I did it. In fact, I hated messing with it so much its what led me to get my Auzentech X-Plosion card so I could do surround sound over the digital connection. That card didn't have the analog quality so I got a E-mu 1212m for that purpose. I am somewhat of a soundcard collector

 

[baronzemo78]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
The only downside with that is there is very little benefit to having an X-fi when just using the digital connection.

Why is that? I have a sound blaster X-Fi platinum. If I want great surround sound for games through my receiver how should you hook it up? With the home theater cables Creative sells?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: baronzemo78

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
The only downside with that is there is very little benefit to having an X-fi when just using the digital connection.

Why is that? I have a sound blaster X-Fi platinum. If I want great surround sound for games through my receiver how should you hook it up? With the home theater cables Creative sells?

Because the digital connection does not use two of the most important(in terms of what you are paying for) parts, the D->A converter and OP AMPS.

If you are solely using a receiver with a X-fi I would connect via analog if you value surround sound in games. If its a very good receiver and you don't care about surround sound in games then digital would be fine. If you want a set of computer speakers connected and a receiver then I would connect the receiver via digital and the speakers via analog.

Yes, the home theater cables are what you want. However, all they are are 3.5mm stereo to RCA splitters. You can likely get these for cheaper from other places.

 

[baronzemo78]

Awesome. Thanks so much for the advice. I will probably just get the stereo to RCA splitters then. I'm planning on hooking my X-Fi up to a Denon 3808ci once I get my 7.1 home theater setup after taxes!

 

[Bad Dude]

I thought the X-Fi advantage was the EAX 5 over other sound cards in gaming. Other than this advantage, I don't think it has any other advantage over the other sound cards in digital connection.

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: baronzemo78

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
The only downside with that is there is very little benefit to having an X-fi when just using the digital connection.

Why is that? I have a sound blaster X-Fi platinum. If I want great surround sound for games through my receiver how should you hook it up? With the home theater cables Creative sells?

Because the digital connection does not use two of the most important(in terms of what you are paying for) parts, the D->A converter and OP AMPS.

If you are solely using a receiver with a X-fi I would connect via analog if you value surround sound in games. If its a very good receiver and you don't care about surround sound in games then digital would be fine. If you want a set of computer speakers connected and a receiver then I would connect the receiver via digital and the speakers via analog.

Yes, the home theater cables are what you want. However, all they are are 3.5mm stereo to RCA splitters. You can likely get these for cheaper from other places.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Bad Dude
I thought the X-Fi advantage was the EAX 5 over other sound cards in gaming. Other than this advantage, I don't think it has any other advantage over the other sound cards in digital connection.

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: baronzemo78

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
The only downside with that is there is very little benefit to having an X-fi when just using the digital connection.

Why is that? I have a sound blaster X-Fi platinum. If I want great surround sound for games through my receiver how should you hook it up? With the home theater cables Creative sells?

Because the digital connection does not use two of the most important(in terms of what you are paying for) parts, the D->A converter and OP AMPS.

If you are solely using a receiver with a X-fi I would connect via analog if you value surround sound in games. If its a very good receiver and you don't care about surround sound in games then digital would be fine. If you want a set of computer speakers connected and a receiver then I would connect the receiver via digital and the speakers via analog.

Yes, the home theater cables are what you want. However, all they are are 3.5mm stereo to RCA splitters. You can likely get these for cheaper from other places.

EAX5 is a feature it has however Creative is not the only company anymore with a card with this. The Auzentech X-Prelude has EAX5 because it uses the X-fi chip.

However, this advantage is negated if you are using a digital connection. One of the prime aspects of EAX is ambient effects. Since Creative's cards do not support surround sound in games over a digital connection, this advantage is lost. It is maintained in the X-Prelude because of how it handles digital sound.