X-Fi XtremeGamer: What "digital out" wire do I need?

dozerking · Mar 21, 2008, 03:40 PM

I just picked up a new X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 card and a Logitech Z-5500 sound system, and I want to hook it up using a digital connection. There's a "digital out" port on the back of the sound card, but it doesn't look like a standard optical port. Do I need a converter? Mini tos converter perhaps? It would be nice if the manual hinted to this, but I have no clue.

Edit: On the back of the Z-5500 unit, I can use either Coaxial or Optical Digital connection.

Second, did I make the right choice with the sound card, should I have gotten a better card to go with the speakers? I was told the Z-5500 package is fantastic.

Thanks for the Help!

dozerking · Mar 21, 2008, 03:42 PM

Here is a picture of the jack, it's called a "Flexi Jack"

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggIma...102-006-02.jpg

**kris23** · Mar 21, 2008, 03:59 PM

you shoulda gotten a better card, check out the X-fi Prelude by Auzentech, newegg has it.

dozerking · Mar 21, 2008, 04:04 PM

How much better is it kris23? Substantially better that it's worth spending the extra $100?

I can easily RMA it right now if I want to return it. I was told by a few that the X-Fi is damn near good enough.

MicahSJ · Mar 21, 2008, 04:54 PM

Hello dozerking,

Newegg has the X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Champion Series sound card, which I think would go really well with your speaker system. It also has a $50.00 mail-in rebate. Newegg doesn't carry the Prelude, but I'm sure you could find it somewhere else.

It's either that or you would have to purchase one of those I/O digital modules from the Creative Labs Ebay store.

If I were you and had the money I would get the X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Champion Series from Newegg, especially with that rebate.

I'm sure that the Prelude is also very good as well, if you can find it somewhere else.

dozerking · Mar 21, 2008, 05:13 PM

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, I think I'm gonna RMA the X-fi Xtremegamer and get the prelude. I was considering the Fatality card as well, but they both offer EAX 5.0, which for gaming seems to be the key.

Will either of those cards need an I/O digital module too? Or will standard Optical cables or Digital Coax work directly?

dozerking · Mar 21, 2008, 05:19 PM

I found the Prelude on Newegg, is this the same card you were talking about?

Newegg.com - AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

MicahSJ · Mar 21, 2008, 05:19 PM

I do know that the Fatality doesn't need the I/O module. I will do some checking on the Prelude and see what I can find.

MicahSJ · Mar 21, 2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dozerking

I found the Prelude on Newegg, is this the same card you were talking about?

Newegg.com - AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

My apologies; that's the one Kris23 was talking about. It uses the C-Media chipset whereas the Fatality is of course the name of the chipset by Creative. I've used C-media before, but have went back to Creative because of EAX issues with some games and applications. For compatibilty I would go ahead and go with the Fatality, but of course it's your decision. I'm just trying to give you my thoughts on both cards.

dozerking · Mar 21, 2008, 05:29 PM

What issues with EAX did you have? Is it a driver issue or a hardware issue with the Prelude?

Thanks!

MicahSJ · Mar 21, 2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dozerking

What issues with EAX did you have? Is it a driver issue or a hardware issue with the Prelude?

Thanks!

I think it was a combination of the two. It just didn't work half the time or at all. I also got some hissing and other effects from using the EAX. I've never had any of these problems with none of the Creative cards I've used...the Live, Audigy, and now the X-Fi card which I have now.

dozerking · Mar 21, 2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MicahSJ

I think it was a combination of the two. It just didn't work half the time or at all. I also got some hissing and other effects from using the EAX. I've never had any of these problems with none of the Creative cards I've used...the Live, Audigy, and now the X-Fi card which I have now.

Hmm..What is your motherboard? What is the chipset? I've heard certain chipsets can cause issues.

(I have the Asus P5E Mobo which uses the X38 chipset.)

MicahSJ · Mar 21, 2008, 05:49 PM

From my past experiences with both the Intel and C-Media chipset combinations, it has not been that good.

MicahSJ · Mar 21, 2008, 06:14 PM

My apologies again. I was looking at specs for the card on Auzentech's website and it uses the X-Fi chipset from Creative. That's a surprise! So, I would recommend getting either one of the cards, whichever one you can afford. I would myself still get the Fatality it's made by Creative themselves and you have a lot more features than you do with the Prelude.

**dj_stick** · Mar 22, 2008, 02:45 AM

but you don't get the audio quality of the prelude when you go with CL, but you do get their bloatware "features"

Mar 21, 2008, 03:40 PM	#1
dozerking DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0	X-Fi XtremeGamer: What "digital out" wire do I need? I just picked up a new X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 card and a Logitech Z-5500 sound system, and I want to hook it up using a digital connection. There's a "digital out" port on the back of the sound card, but it doesn't look like a standard optical port. Do I need a converter? Mini tos converter perhaps? It would be nice if the manual hinted to this, but I have no clue. Edit: On the back of the Z-5500 unit, I can use either Coaxial or Optical Digital connection. Second, did I make the right choice with the sound card, should I have gotten a better card to go with the speakers? I was told the Z-5500 package is fantastic. Thanks for the Help!

Mar 21, 2008, 03:59 PM	#3
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,990 Rep Power: 121 System Specs	you shoulda gotten a better card, check out the X-fi Prelude by Auzentech, newegg has it. __________________ 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!

Mar 21, 2008, 04:04 PM	Thread Starter #4
dozerking DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0	How much better is it kris23? Substantially better that it's worth spending the extra $100? I can easily RMA it right now if I want to return it. I was told by a few that the X-Fi is damn near good enough. Last edited by dozerking; Mar 21, 2008 at 04:20 PM.

Mar 21, 2008, 03:42 PM	Thread Starter #2
dozerking DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0	Here is a picture of the jack, it's called a "Flexi Jack" http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggIma...102-006-02.jpg

Mar 21, 2008, 04:54 PM	#5
MicahSJ DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 36 Rep Power: 0	Hello dozerking, Newegg has the X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Champion Series sound card, which I think would go really well with your speaker system. It also has a $50.00 mail-in rebate. Newegg doesn't carry the Prelude, but I'm sure you could find it somewhere else. It's either that or you would have to purchase one of those I/O digital modules from the Creative Labs Ebay store. If I were you and had the money I would get the X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Champion Series from Newegg, especially with that rebate. I'm sure that the Prelude is also very good as well, if you can find it somewhere else.

Mar 21, 2008, 05:13 PM	Thread Starter #6
dozerking DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I think I'm gonna RMA the X-fi Xtremegamer and get the prelude. I was considering the Fatality card as well, but they both offer EAX 5.0, which for gaming seems to be the key. Will either of those cards need an I/O digital module too? Or will standard Optical cables or Digital Coax work directly?

Mar 21, 2008, 05:19 PM	Thread Starter #7
dozerking DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0	I found the Prelude on Newegg, is this the same card you were talking about? Newegg.com - AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

Mar 21, 2008, 05:29 PM	Thread Starter #10
dozerking DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0	What issues with EAX did you have? Is it a driver issue or a hardware issue with the Prelude? Thanks!

Mar 21, 2008, 05:49 PM	#13
MicahSJ DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 36 Rep Power: 0	From my past experiences with both the Intel and C-Media chipset combinations, it has not been that good.

Mar 21, 2008, 06:14 PM	#14
MicahSJ DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 36 Rep Power: 0	My apologies again. I was looking at specs for the card on Auzentech's website and it uses the X-Fi chipset from Creative. That's a surprise! So, I would recommend getting either one of the cards, whichever one you can afford. I would myself still get the Fatality it's made by Creative themselves and you have a lot more features than you do with the Prelude.