Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 Sound Card Review - Page 2

Chai · 16th Dec 2007, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papercut

Hotrodding the X-Fi: A Layman's Guide (No 56k) - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

Yeah, I know how to mod, just isn't worth the trouble, plus we can't buy XtremeMusic off the shelf anymore.

empire23 · 27th Dec 2007, 03:31 AM

Anyways, bump for update. It seems that Auzentech has released the long awaited Dolby Digital support we've been waiting for. Haven't installed the drivers as i'm busy reading up on feedback loops and crap about pass transistors.

Chai · 27th Dec 2007, 07:16 AM

Where did you get it from?

empire23 · 27th Dec 2007, 07:24 AM

Their website lol.

Anyways if they were kind enough to implement Jung Multiloop or a buffered topology, i'd declare the card god like. Throw in MOSFET output stage for way past God like.

ELECTRONIC DESIGN - December 14, 1998 - Walt's Tools and Tips - Op-Amp Audio

Reading through old papers by Walt Jung and Erno Borbely, so i though anyone interestered would appreciate the read.

Chai · 27th Dec 2007, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by empire23

Their website lol.

Anyways if they were kind enough to implement Jung Multiloop or a buffered topology, i'd declare the card god like. Throw in MOSFET output stage for way past God like.

ELECTRONIC DESIGN - December 14, 1998 - Walt's Tools and Tips - Op-Amp Audio

Reading through old papers by Walt Jung and Erno Borbely, so i though anyone interestered would appreciate the read.

No no, I meant the card?

empire23 · 27th Dec 2007, 07:45 AM

It's the same review card. It's just that they added a new driver that allows for the support of dolby digital decoding and encoding.

Chai · 27th Dec 2007, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by empire23

It's the same review card. It's just that they added a new driver that allows for the support of dolby digital decoding and encoding.

How much you got the card for, and where did you buy it?

empire23 · 27th Dec 2007, 08:56 AM

lol leview sample. But the general price is around 750 ringgit if you look in the LYN forum bulks. Pricey, but when compared to the similarly priced 1212M, i think i rather take this ler.

Chai · 27th Dec 2007, 09:04 AM

Yup, I saw the LYN bulk, but at RM780, it's way overpriced especially when Newegg is only selling at US190 (RM627).

1212 is for a different market. Prelude is mainly for gamers.

Nicksta · 14th Jan 2008, 02:35 PM

Hi all,

I ordered a Auzentech Prelude today due primarily to your great review. I had planned on putting this card in my gaming rig as an upgrade from my Realtek onboard six channel which I have been limping along with until now. But after reading reviews a few questions raised themselves that I am hoping you guys might be able to help me with.

I currently also have a HTPC with a Auzentech Xplosion plugged in by Coax SPDIF to my Sherwood Newcastle R-965 receiver
sherwoodusa.com/prod_r965.html

I read with interest that you made mention to the 1852's which are actually used in my sherwood and also that my Sherwood uses an older ADC the AK5380. In light of the quality of components in the xplosion, the prelude and my R965, I started to think about which DAC's I should use and whether the DAC and ADC's on the Prelude were actually better quality than those in my R965 or indeed if the xplosions componentry is actually better than the R965's components.

My thoughts were that if the DAC's on the Xplosion are better than the DAC's in my receiver then perhaps I should swap from SPDIF to six analog inputs on the amp and let the xplosion do the decoding from here on in?

I already have a sneaking suspicion that if I put the Prelude into my HTPC then the answer to the question above in this instance would be definately swap from SPDIF to analog inputs as the DAC's on the Prelude seem newer and superior to those included in my aging receiver. The only thing stopping me from doing this right now is the state of play with DTS support on its current driver release (I understand only DD live is currently implemented unlike my xplosion where DDlive and DTS interactive are present)

Beyond this, I wondered if the DD and DTS decoding cababilities of either the prelude or the xplosion would be better (more immersive/better soundstage etc) than those in my sherwood due to them being newer revisions??

I know at the end of the day, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, but I don't want to go pulling things out and recabling if the stats don't stack up first.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Nick

27th Dec 2007, 03:31 AM	#12 (permalink)
empire23 BRB. Attacking Russia Join Date: 4 Feb 2006 Location: Ze Fatherland Posts: 273 Reputation: 390 Rep Power: 6	Anyways, bump for update. It seems that Auzentech has released the long awaited Dolby Digital support we've been waiting for. Haven't installed the drivers as i'm busy reading up on feedback loops and crap about pass transistors. __________________ I'm in Ur Forums, Spamming Ur Boards.

27th Dec 2007, 07:16 AM	#13 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 26,054 Reputation: 3845 Rep Power: 70	Where did you get it from? __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/ Intel E8400 @ 4GHz \| Abit IP35 Pro \| Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX \| Asus EN8800GTS 512MB \| WD Raptor WD740 \| WD 5000AAKS x2 \| Antec TPII-480 \| EMU 0404 PCI \| Dtek FuZion CPU \| Swiftech MCW60 \| Swiftech MCR320QP \| Swiftech MCP350 \| Dell 2001FP \| BenQ G2400W \| Logitech G5 \| Logitech G25 \| Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

27th Dec 2007, 07:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
empire23 BRB. Attacking Russia Join Date: 4 Feb 2006 Location: Ze Fatherland Posts: 273 Reputation: 390 Rep Power: 6	Their website lol. Anyways if they were kind enough to implement Jung Multiloop or a buffered topology, i'd declare the card god like. Throw in MOSFET output stage for way past God like. ELECTRONIC DESIGN - December 14, 1998 - Walt's Tools and Tips - Op-Amp Audio Reading through old papers by Walt Jung and Erno Borbely, so i though anyone interestered would appreciate the read. __________________ I'm in Ur Forums, Spamming Ur Boards.

27th Dec 2007, 07:45 AM	#16 (permalink)
empire23 BRB. Attacking Russia Join Date: 4 Feb 2006 Location: Ze Fatherland Posts: 273 Reputation: 390 Rep Power: 6	It's the same review card. It's just that they added a new driver that allows for the support of dolby digital decoding and encoding. __________________ I'm in Ur Forums, Spamming Ur Boards.

27th Dec 2007, 08:56 AM	#18 (permalink)
empire23 BRB. Attacking Russia Join Date: 4 Feb 2006 Location: Ze Fatherland Posts: 273 Reputation: 390 Rep Power: 6	lol leview sample. But the general price is around 750 ringgit if you look in the LYN forum bulks. Pricey, but when compared to the similarly priced 1212M, i think i rather take this ler. __________________ I'm in Ur Forums, Spamming Ur Boards.

27th Dec 2007, 09:04 AM	#19 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 26,054 Reputation: 3845 Rep Power: 70	Yup, I saw the LYN bulk, but at RM780, it's way overpriced especially when Newegg is only selling at US190 (RM627). 1212 is for a different market. Prelude is mainly for gamers. __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/ Intel E8400 @ 4GHz \| Abit IP35 Pro \| Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX \| Asus EN8800GTS 512MB \| WD Raptor WD740 \| WD 5000AAKS x2 \| Antec TPII-480 \| EMU 0404 PCI \| Dtek FuZion CPU \| Swiftech MCW60 \| Swiftech MCR320QP \| Swiftech MCP350 \| Dell 2001FP \| BenQ G2400W \| Logitech G5 \| Logitech G25 \| Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

14th Jan 2008, 02:35 PM	#20 (permalink)
Nicksta Newbie Join Date: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 2 Reputation: 0 Rep Power: 0	Which decoders to use? Hi all, I ordered a Auzentech Prelude today due primarily to your great review. I had planned on putting this card in my gaming rig as an upgrade from my Realtek onboard six channel which I have been limping along with until now. But after reading reviews a few questions raised themselves that I am hoping you guys might be able to help me with. I currently also have a HTPC with a Auzentech Xplosion plugged in by Coax SPDIF to my Sherwood Newcastle R-965 receiver sherwoodusa.com/prod_r965.html I read with interest that you made mention to the 1852's which are actually used in my sherwood and also that my Sherwood uses an older ADC the AK5380. In light of the quality of components in the xplosion, the prelude and my R965, I started to think about which DAC's I should use and whether the DAC and ADC's on the Prelude were actually better quality than those in my R965 or indeed if the xplosions componentry is actually better than the R965's components. My thoughts were that if the DAC's on the Xplosion are better than the DAC's in my receiver then perhaps I should swap from SPDIF to six analog inputs on the amp and let the xplosion do the decoding from here on in? I already have a sneaking suspicion that if I put the Prelude into my HTPC then the answer to the question above in this instance would be definately swap from SPDIF to analog inputs as the DAC's on the Prelude seem newer and superior to those included in my aging receiver. The only thing stopping me from doing this right now is the state of play with DTS support on its current driver release (I understand only DD live is currently implemented unlike my xplosion where DDlive and DTS interactive are present) Beyond this, I wondered if the DD and DTS decoding cababilities of either the prelude or the xplosion would be better (more immersive/better soundstage etc) than those in my sherwood due to them being newer revisions?? I know at the end of the day, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, but I don't want to go pulling things out and recabling if the stats don't stack up first. Your advice is greatly appreciated. Cheers, Nick