Auzen X-FI™ Prelude 7.1 Coming Soon

Caliostro · Apr 16, 2007, 04:14 PM

Santa Clara, CA -April 16, 2007: Auzentech, Inc. (www.auzentech.com), developer of the world's first Dolby® Digital Live and DTS® Connect PCI sound card, announces today a new sound card series based on the Creative X-FI™ chipset.

More:
http://www.auzentech.com/site/company/press.php

Wow , looks like a X-Meridian +X-Fi Chip will arrive soon.
I cant wait to see this card.

Erroneus · Apr 16, 2007, 04:23 PM

Yeah that could turn out to be a killer, but I'm gonna bet it's going to cost a lot, since they have to pay Creative for each x-fi chip used.

GeneralClaymore · Apr 16, 2007, 05:02 PM

yea i betting that too. but also wouldnt that hurt creative too since there be no more point in buying XFI from them. When the Auzen XFI comes out since it be both DD live and eax5 eh.

Necrosis · Apr 16, 2007, 05:55 PM

It probably also means they'll eventually drop support for their former products. Looks like it could be another buy out.

Or Creative has finally decided to be a fair player on the market. They wouldn't have to foot the bill to build the card, or make drivers.

Rogacz · Apr 17, 2007, 11:34 AM

That thing will be real monstrosity but will cost at last 1.5x (if not 2x) the price of X-Meridian.

X-Meridian quality + X-Fi processing = win

REGENERATION · Apr 17, 2007, 11:40 AM

Good news. Too bad they will have to use Creative’s crappy drivers and software. All they need to do now is to replace all these freaking’ amateurs they call ‘software developers’ and X-Fi would rock.

Rogacz · Apr 17, 2007, 12:25 PM

They don't. They buy only chip, not the drivers. They need to write they own, new drivers.

Keefa · Apr 18, 2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogacz

They don't. They buy only chip, not the drivers. They need to write they own, new drivers.

Any source to back that up? I've read the opposite on several forums but I'd sure like to believe this. The drivers Creative made could really use a rewrite.

Necrosis · Apr 18, 2007, 10:58 AM

I sure hope they don't have to use Creative's drivers. Talk about a buzz kill...

Rogacz · Apr 18, 2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keefa

Any source to back that up? I've read the opposite on several forums but I'd sure like to believe this. The drivers Creative made could really use a rewrite.

No source. That just sounds logical. If Auzen wants to add all this DTS and DD stuff to X-Fi they also need to write own drivers. Or at last mix own drivers with CL ones (awful).

X-Fi is a good chip but it's not using it's powers because of poor drivers.

And after all it will be a new card, not just another X-Fi version.

Btw. I don't know how will Auzen implement Dolby HPH and CMSS 3D HPH at once.

Caliostro · Apr 18, 2007, 01:46 PM

Maybe CMI8788 + X-Fi on one Card ?

I dont think creative give´s away "true" X-Fi´s.
I expect to see the same chip they put on the Extreme Audio which means EAX5 in Software Mode.

**kris23** · Apr 18, 2007, 03:05 PM

ill just wait before i buy, this seems to be my saviour from my crappy drver problem......

popej · Apr 20, 2007, 09:48 AM

Azuentech gives raw C-Media written drivers for X-Meridian. Creative X-Fi is much more complicated DSP than C-Media Oxygen. I wouldnt expect that Azuentech is interested to or capable to develop drivers.

It's even worst. "All this DTS and DD stuff" comes directly from C-Media. I'm afraid you wont see that in X-Fi drivers. If you read carefully Azuentech press anouncement, you will find that they do not claim DD-Live support for this card.

Rogacz · Apr 20, 2007, 11:56 AM

So this will be another X-Fi crap.

ROBSCIX · Apr 20, 2007, 01:49 PM

If you read carfully, they say they will have Dolby Digital Live Support by Quater 4.

The Auzen X-FI™ Prelude 7.1 is scheduled for release near the end of May 2007. It will fully support EAX 5.0 and have the same expandability as the Auzen X-Meridian™ 7.1. Support for Dolby® Digital Live real time encoding for Vista is scheduled for Q4 of this year.
The Auzen X-Fi™ Prelude marks the first time Creative has permitted a third-party soundcard vendor to use the Creative X-FI™ chipset in its own soundcard design.

If you know anything about Auzentech, they make awsome soundcards. What I think your gonna get is a card totally different from existing models. This card will be more of a HTPC card featuring digital I/O etc and features such as DD and possibly DTS and feature amazing components, build quality and sound totally amazing. This card is gonna be a X-fi crossed with a X-Meridian and that means very high sound quality in everything you may want to do.

popej · Apr 20, 2007, 02:09 PM

We read the same sentence and come to different conclusion :-)

Rogacz · Apr 20, 2007, 07:05 PM

I really hope it will be like that. And won't be ultra-expensive.

ROBSCIX · Apr 30, 2007, 03:30 PM

I don't think it will contain dual chips. There is really no reason why Dolby/Digital or DTS features couldn't be added to a card using a 20K1 DSP. Creative just didn't add it to their card becasue it increases price and I guess they figured gamers wouldn't want it. I think we will see both. Remember alot of onboards are coming out with atleast Dolby Digital so this is a needed feature.

rico01 · May 5, 2007, 03:45 PM

Creative is also quite adamant that DDL reduces sound quality.

Creative has achieved what they've set out to do, me thinks. They have been selling the X-Fi and had it exclusive for almost 2 years and building up the brand name of the X-Fi range. Now the turn has come to sell the chip to others to generate more cash flow, i e pure business. I think it would be quite naive to believe that Creative does this to act in any way altruistic. It doesn't necessarily mean they will drop support for any products, even if that support is already lacking in several departments.

This move makes sense for both companies.

Maddogg6 · May 5, 2007, 04:02 PM

I think - with Vista dropping 'hardware accelerated' audio - forced CL to rethink their strategy - now that their monopoly has been severely hindered.

Quoted from here:
http://au.pc.ign.com/articles/759/759538p1.html

Quote:

Microsoft's Windows team made the bold decision to rewrite the Vista audio stack from the ground up, and in doing so they removed hardware acceleration for DirectSound. That's right. They took hardware support away from the most ubiquitous sound API implemented in games over the past several years.

Which effectively removes CL's market strengths. - my guess - its CL's monoply that made M$ make the decision to do this... ??

This card sounds very promising - if/when I end up in Vista...

ROBSCIX · May 5, 2007, 04:08 PM

@Rico01, Using DD for gaming or current DVD is fine. No current games include audio over the sampling rate and bit depth of Dolby Digital Live. Most gaming audio is 16/44.1 and maybe if your lucky 16/48Khz. So that is fine for DD. BTW if I was you I wouldn't believe too much of what Creative labs has to say about anything...

rico01 · May 5, 2007, 04:35 PM

Did I say "I believe what Creative is saying is true"?? Or did I say "Creative is also quite adamant that DDL reduces sound quality."? As far as I'm concerned I'm not saying anything about the sound quality of DDL since I don't use it and have no plans to do so. It was merely a statement made to inform others why Creative didn't include DDL with their X-Fi cards. Geez, some people just read what they want to read...

Maddogg6 · May 5, 2007, 05:49 PM

technically DD - *does* use a 'lossy' compression. So - CL isnt lying/misleading - its just such a small degradation - most people wont care - to me - its CL's 'cop out' for not paying the license fee to Dolby.

rico01 · May 5, 2007, 09:17 PM

Actually a very good point that maddog. I also agree that the average user won't care if it is lossless or lossy compression. After all, people are using mp3s like nuts (including me) which should show it is a likely statement.

For me a DDL card wouldn't be useful though since I have my card connected to my A/V reciever both analogue and digitally. And I use a regular DVD player when watching DVD movies. And personally, regarding music, I'm a 2-channel junkie.

For those who want DDL I say go for it. I'm just not interested in it.

ROBSCIX · May 6, 2007, 01:11 AM

Rico1, I apologize is I misinterpreted your posts. I try NOT to read into things. Your right alot of people may think DD is great BUT there are down sides. Lossy compression as you said. I was pointing out that it's no biggie if your not using Hi res audio which gaming audio is not. Also the sound quality of digital is dependant mainly on what it's connected to. For instance what alot of us X-Meridian users have found is that the DAC in the XM is better then the DAC in their receivers. Alot of reciever didn't use high quality digital connection electronics. I have seen Denon's with piss poor DAC's and units under that quality well you might aswell forget about it. Not saying it won't sound good but some times you will get better sound using analog connections. Depends on your gear. @Madd, I find it amusing Creative downplays and bad mouths a feature they don't offer.

**dj_stick** · May 6, 2007, 01:13 AM

Robscix - the standard for dolby digital (AC3) is actually 16bit/48khz x 6, plus it is also a lossy codec (required to fit 6 channels into the bandwidth of an SPDIF interface)
hope that clears up a little confusion

btw DTS is also a lossy codec, but iirc it has a higher bandwidth than AC3

ROBSCIX · May 8, 2007, 11:43 PM

I know exactly what Dolby Digital Live. I have that aswell as DTS Connect on my card. I am not confused about it in the least...

Judas · May 8, 2007, 11:49 PM

the company that builds the chips, writes the drivers, plain and simple.... but ONLY the drivers. The software and packaging will then be taken over by the company building the entire card. However, LETS hope that they just don't build the cards, then make so that you can slap just a creative package on it.... i like reference drivers and all, but creative blows in that department.

**kris23** · May 9, 2007, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

the company that builds the chips, writes the drivers, plain and simple.... but ONLY the drivers. The software and packaging will then be taken over by the company building the entire card. However, LETS hope that they just don't build the cards, then make so that you can slap just a creative package on it.... i like reference drivers and all, but creative blows in that department.

blows is an understatement........more like swallows their own load

ROBSCIX · May 13, 2007, 10:17 PM

The fact is, to try and judge this card before it released would be nonesense. We are unsure how the driver will be produced. We need to wait and see. If it sounds as good as the XM, you gamers are gonna be in for some killer sound. I am very interested in the Prelude from a hardware standpoint...

Apr 16, 2007, 04:14 PM	#1
Caliostro HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bonn, Germany Posts: 36 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Auzen X-FI™ Prelude 7.1 Coming Soon Santa Clara, CA -April 16, 2007: Auzentech, Inc. (www.auzentech.com), developer of the world's first Dolby® Digital Live and DTS® Connect PCI sound card, announces today a new sound card series based on the Creative X-FI™ chipset. More: http://www.auzentech.com/site/company/press.php Wow , looks like a X-Meridian +X-Fi Chip will arrive soon. I cant wait to see this card.

Apr 16, 2007, 04:23 PM	#2
Erroneus Get off my lawn! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 13,415 Rep Power: 119 System Specs	Yeah that could turn out to be a killer, but I'm gonna bet it's going to cost a lot, since they have to pay Creative for each x-fi chip used. __________________

Apr 16, 2007, 05:02 PM	#3
GeneralClaymore HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MI Posts: 434 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	yea i betting that too. but also wouldnt that hurt creative too since there be no more point in buying XFI from them. When the Auzen XFI comes out since it be both DD live and eax5 eh. __________________ Source: x-fi titanium hd 2x LT1124ACN+ 2x LT1115 > Matrix M-Stage V2 /w 2x LME49710NA> DT880 pro 250ohm

Apr 17, 2007, 11:34 AM	#5
Rogacz Porcupine Floyd Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Poland Posts: 422 Rep Power: 0	That thing will be real monstrosity but will cost at last 1.5x (if not 2x) the price of X-Meridian. X-Meridian quality + X-Fi processing = win __________________

Apr 17, 2007, 12:25 PM	#7
Rogacz Porcupine Floyd Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Poland Posts: 422 Rep Power: 0	They don't. They buy only chip, not the drivers. They need to write they own, new drivers. __________________

Apr 16, 2007, 05:55 PM	#4
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	It probably also means they'll eventually drop support for their former products. Looks like it could be another buy out. Or Creative has finally decided to be a fair player on the market. They wouldn't have to foot the bill to build the card, or make drivers.

Apr 17, 2007, 11:40 AM	#6
REGENERATION DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 59 Rep Power: 0	Good news. Too bad they will have to use Creative’s crappy drivers and software. All they need to do now is to replace all these freaking’ amateurs they call ‘software developers’ and X-Fi would rock.

Apr 18, 2007, 10:58 AM	#9
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	I sure hope they don't have to use Creative's drivers. Talk about a buzz kill...

Apr 18, 2007, 01:46 PM	Thread Starter #11
Caliostro HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bonn, Germany Posts: 36 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Maybe CMI8788 + X-Fi on one Card ? I dont think creative give´s away "true" X-Fi´s. I expect to see the same chip they put on the Extreme Audio which means EAX5 in Software Mode.

Apr 18, 2007, 03:05 PM	#12
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	ill just wait before i buy, this seems to be my saviour from my crappy drver problem...... __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Apr 20, 2007, 09:48 AM	#13
popej DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 57 Rep Power: 0	Azuentech gives raw C-Media written drivers for X-Meridian. Creative X-Fi is much more complicated DSP than C-Media Oxygen. I wouldnt expect that Azuentech is interested to or capable to develop drivers. It's even worst. "All this DTS and DD stuff" comes directly from C-Media. I'm afraid you wont see that in X-Fi drivers. If you read carefully Azuentech press anouncement, you will find that they do not claim DD-Live support for this card. __________________ popej

Apr 20, 2007, 11:56 AM	#14
Rogacz Porcupine Floyd Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Poland Posts: 422 Rep Power: 0	So this will be another X-Fi crap. __________________

Apr 20, 2007, 01:49 PM	#15
ROBSCIX DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,732 Rep Power: 0	If you read carfully, they say they will have Dolby Digital Live Support by Quater 4. The Auzen X-FI™ Prelude 7.1 is scheduled for release near the end of May 2007. It will fully support EAX 5.0 and have the same expandability as the Auzen X-Meridian™ 7.1. Support for Dolby® Digital Live real time encoding for Vista is scheduled for Q4 of this year. The Auzen X-Fi™ Prelude marks the first time Creative has permitted a third-party soundcard vendor to use the Creative X-FI™ chipset in its own soundcard design. If you know anything about Auzentech, they make awsome soundcards. What I think your gonna get is a card totally different from existing models. This card will be more of a HTPC card featuring digital I/O etc and features such as DD and possibly DTS and feature amazing components, build quality and sound totally amazing. This card is gonna be a X-fi crossed with a X-Meridian and that means very high sound quality in everything you may want to do.

Apr 20, 2007, 02:09 PM	#16
popej DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 57 Rep Power: 0	We read the same sentence and come to different conclusion :-) __________________ popej

Apr 20, 2007, 07:05 PM	#17
Rogacz Porcupine Floyd Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Poland Posts: 422 Rep Power: 0	I really hope it will be like that. And won't be ultra-expensive. __________________

Apr 30, 2007, 03:30 PM	#18
ROBSCIX DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,732 Rep Power: 0	I don't think it will contain dual chips. There is really no reason why Dolby/Digital or DTS features couldn't be added to a card using a 20K1 DSP. Creative just didn't add it to their card becasue it increases price and I guess they figured gamers wouldn't want it. I think we will see both. Remember alot of onboards are coming out with atleast Dolby Digital so this is a needed feature.

May 5, 2007, 03:45 PM	#19
rico01 Audio Junkie Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 126 Rep Power: 0	Creative is also quite adamant that DDL reduces sound quality. Creative has achieved what they've set out to do, me thinks. They have been selling the X-Fi and had it exclusive for almost 2 years and building up the brand name of the X-Fi range. Now the turn has come to sell the chip to others to generate more cash flow, i e pure business. I think it would be quite naive to believe that Creative does this to act in any way altruistic. It doesn't necessarily mean they will drop support for any products, even if that support is already lacking in several departments. This move makes sense for both companies. __________________ My middle-name is Audiophile.

May 5, 2007, 04:08 PM	#21
ROBSCIX DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,732 Rep Power: 0	@Rico01, Using DD for gaming or current DVD is fine. No current games include audio over the sampling rate and bit depth of Dolby Digital Live. Most gaming audio is 16/44.1 and maybe if your lucky 16/48Khz. So that is fine for DD. BTW if I was you I wouldn't believe too much of what Creative labs has to say about anything...

May 5, 2007, 04:35 PM	#22
rico01 Audio Junkie Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 126 Rep Power: 0	Did I say "I believe what Creative is saying is true"?? Or did I say "Creative is also quite adamant that DDL reduces sound quality."? As far as I'm concerned I'm not saying anything about the sound quality of DDL since I don't use it and have no plans to do so. It was merely a statement made to inform others why Creative didn't include DDL with their X-Fi cards. Geez, some people just read what they want to read... __________________ My middle-name is Audiophile.

May 5, 2007, 05:49 PM	#23
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 0	technically DD - does use a 'lossy' compression. So - CL isnt lying/misleading - its just such a small degradation - most people wont care - to me - its CL's 'cop out' for not paying the license fee to Dolby.

May 5, 2007, 09:17 PM	#24
rico01 Audio Junkie Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 126 Rep Power: 0	Actually a very good point that maddog. I also agree that the average user won't care if it is lossless or lossy compression. After all, people are using mp3s like nuts (including me) which should show it is a likely statement. For me a DDL card wouldn't be useful though since I have my card connected to my A/V reciever both analogue and digitally. And I use a regular DVD player when watching DVD movies. And personally, regarding music, I'm a 2-channel junkie. For those who want DDL I say go for it. I'm just not interested in it. __________________ My middle-name is Audiophile.

May 6, 2007, 01:11 AM	#25
ROBSCIX DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,732 Rep Power: 0	Rico1, I apologize is I misinterpreted your posts. I try NOT to read into things. Your right alot of people may think DD is great BUT there are down sides. Lossy compression as you said. I was pointing out that it's no biggie if your not using Hi res audio which gaming audio is not. Also the sound quality of digital is dependant mainly on what it's connected to. For instance what alot of us X-Meridian users have found is that the DAC in the XM is better then the DAC in their receivers. Alot of reciever didn't use high quality digital connection electronics. I have seen Denon's with piss poor DAC's and units under that quality well you might aswell forget about it. Not saying it won't sound good but some times you will get better sound using analog connections. Depends on your gear. @Madd, I find it amusing Creative downplays and bad mouths a feature they don't offer.

May 8, 2007, 11:43 PM	#27
ROBSCIX DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,732 Rep Power: 0	I know exactly what Dolby Digital Live. I have that aswell as DTS Connect on my card. I am not confused about it in the least...

May 13, 2007, 10:17 PM	#30
ROBSCIX DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,732 Rep Power: 0	The fact is, to try and judge this card before it released would be nonesense. We are unsure how the driver will be produced. We need to wait and see. If it sounds as good as the XM, you gamers are gonna be in for some killer sound. I am very interested in the Prelude from a hardware standpoint...