kris23

hey guys, i have a bit of a dilemma...

as i am moving onto a new system, i need a PCI-E sound card to go with my gear.

i currently have a Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music that wont be usable with the new board.

Ive been looking at different cards but i am not sure if buying one now is a good idea...

I basically need a card that can output 7.1 analog surround and support the use of a microphone.

It also needs to be PCI-E.

i have a shotgun mic that i use with my surround sound instead of using a headset... i hate those things...

what i want most is the best sound quality.... everything else is secondary...

the cards ive been looking at are the:

Xonar Xense, Xonar D2X, Auzentech X-Fi Forte, and X-Fi Titanium HD (provided that an expansion card actually does come out for it to use 7.1 surround.)

After a bit of digging, it looks like the Xonar D2X is the best of the list as it has better DACs than even the more expensive Xense, but will there be a better card coming out that can outdo it completely?

if anyone has any suggestions for a PCI-E 7.1 Surround sound card, im all ears!

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niceguyrichy

everybody i've ever asked has recommended the D2X, looking to get one myself sometime real soon actually

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kris23

hmm... looks like i may have to go out and buy one soon as the local frys has them for about $160 for the remaining stock...

anyone else got any suggestions? so far im leaning to the D2X

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gk8aq

If you can buy this one the best of the best currently: Elite Bastards - ASUS Xonar HDAV 1.3 Deluxe sound card review - ASUS Xonar HDAV 1.3 Deluxe

I wonder when will Creative release X-Fi Titanium HD with the 7.1 analog kit like the one Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 Deluxe has

kris23

as that card's analog circuitry is identical to the D2X with that very review stating that the D2X is rated slightly above it...

i have no use for the HDMI as i plan to continue using analog outputs for audio and my monitors are all DVI... though it does look excellent for an HTPC.

but thanks for the review link! definitely a good read.

looks like another win for the D2X...

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Tipstaff

All I can say is stay away from the Auzentech X-Fi Forte. I have it myself, and it was the biggest mistake I ever made. There`s just to many issues the user has to overcome on their own for me to recommend this card.

First, Creative has abandoned all driver support for their old cards. Since Auzentechs drivers are based on Creatives, you can see how much support you`re going to get. Last set from Auzentech was 1 month after Creatives, almost 1 year ago.

Second, the Auzentech X-Fi Forte STILL has isolation issues. You may encounter noise and or feedback from the connectors as they don`t seem to be isolated from the backplate. Fix: you need to put some electrical tape, or some of those paper rings you get with cases in between the connectors and the plate. Auzentech said they were looking into changing the connectors with plastic ones, or at least isolating the connectors, but they never did.

Third: Zero f***ing support. Not only does Auzentech like to ban users that post in their forums with anything that might be a negative towards their products, but they have a habit of either taking forever to respond to questions, or not doing so at all.

Lastly, the card is very susceptible to heat. So much so that if the card gets hot (which the X-Fi normally does anyway), the card will stop working. Fix: either have a fan that directly blows on the card, or do what I did, and put a ramsink on the main X-Fi chip (I used a spare copper one).

If I were to buy another card, right this minute, it would be the Creative X-Fi Titanium HD. I`ve bought one for a client before, and it`s far superior to any of the previous X-Fi cards. Not to mention it`s a currently supported card (even if the driver hasn`t been updated since Feb.2011 Creative is currently supporting it). I`m also inclined to go with the other 2 options mentioned so far. I`ve only ever bought one Xonar, and I was rather surprised by it. Definitely a good alternative to onboard solutions like the VIA, Sigmatel, Connexant and such, but not the Realtek HD chip. It`s probably on par with that chip.

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Takaharu

I have a D2X and it overheats next to my 570s during heavy gameplay

Still, I'd say it was money well spent for a soundcard - you can really hear the improvement in sound quality even without an audiophile setup. When I was looking for a soundcard, the ASUS Xonar series beat the muck out of Creative for their value-for-money according to multiple sources.
Be careful with the initial testing if you do decide to go with the D2X - turn your speakers down lower than you usually would. The 118db max output really does make that much difference.

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niceguyrichy

seriously ?
well that's a worry, my rig runs a bit hot, i may have to rethink...

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Judas

i like to avoid all the headaches of sound cards that excist with permanent support for even older chips by just making damn sure the motherboards i get have realtek audio chip on it.

everytime i use a add-on sound card..... i run into some sort of issues.... i'm quite sick of it.

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kris23

the problem i have with onboard despite how good some of them sound is the fact that they tend to pick up system noise....

like hearing buzzing from the system whenever i move my mouse or when the processor is seeking from the drive i hear beeping.... annoying for me since i am just not used to it... the X-fi i had has always taken care of that problem.

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Veridian3

Go nuts, buy the Titanium HD + a sound system with digital input

kris23

too much...

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Veridian3

No such thing

kris23

haha...maybe when i get a GOOD home theater system...

hey Stuart, do you know when creative is going to release that expansion card?

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Veridian3

Nope, will try and find out but dont expect a quick response.

kris23

thanks man, i know id rather wait on that if it ends up being the best of both worlds...

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Judas

uh yes..... i find quite often that some of the onboard sound systems are effected by system noice.. which is indeed beyond irritating..

majority of the time that i get this is due to the front panel header being in use and the case actually having very very poor shielding or something which causes this..

For those system i just unplug the damn header and use the rear connectors.... OR sometimes you can find those front panel headers that fit the 3 1/2 drive bay slots which are properly sheilded/grounded..

The other cases was due to faulty chip/motherboard.

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kris23

hmm... maybe i should just buy one of these?

Amazon.com: Refurbished Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium PCI Express Sound Card: Electronics

pretty much better than what ive been using and is dirt cheap, a fourth of the price of the other cards ive been looking at... i dont mind buying refurbs either.

since its so cheap, it probably wouldn't hurt so much if a much better X-Fi comes out in the future!

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synthesis204

I have this and can't say enough good things about it.

Newegg.com - ASUS Xonar D2X 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Express x1 Interface Sound Card

(To be fair, my version is the PCI version, not PCI-E, but besides that's theyre identical). Drivers work well in XP, Vista, and 7, support for 5.1 and 7.1, spdif, had it for two years no issues since the last driver update. I would've opted for a X-Fi but there seems to be so many issues/complaints about creative recently I just wouldn't.

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kris23

i dont really know why im not completely sold on the D2X... probably because im used to the processing power and options found with the X-Fi cards...

besides... neither newegg, amazon, nor fry's have the D2X in-stock anymore... so i guess that train has left the station...

its odd, seems like the card is being discontinued, none of the stores except possibly newegg have plans on getting more.

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synthesis204

I have the D2, which is the PCI version of it. And to be fair, it is a few years old, but it works wonders still. Good luck with whatever you go with, I suppose (: Personally I'd go with ASUS or Auzentech, but to each their own.

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kris23

wow... doing some shopping around, it does indeed look like its discontinued....

hopefully a suitable successor comes out soon

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caqde

another option on the refurbs is Amazon.com: Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty P (REFURBISHED): Electronics

$25 more than the one you were looking at its the Fatality edition which has the X-ram on it and is currently what I am using.

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AMD Phenom II X4 925 AM3/ Giga-byte MA790XT-UD4P
XFX HD5770 1GB / 2x8GB of Geil DDR3 12800 10-10-10-28
Samsung SH-S182D DVD-RW drive / Sony Optiarc BD-5300S BD-RW drive
Western Digital WD1501FASS(Primary)/Western Digital 15EADS(Secondary)/Western Digital 7500AACS(Secondary)/Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320gb(Secondary)
Antec TP-550 / CoolerMaster CMStacker
Sound Blaster X-FI Titanium Fatal1ty Professional / Creative Inspire 6600 6.1 speakers
Samsugn T200HD 20" LCD Monitor / Logitech Internet 350 Black Keyboard
Logitech MX510 Mouse

kris23

yep i was actually leaning towards that the moment i saw it while browsing, i probably will get it.

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Takaharu

Just an FYI, both the Fatal1ty and D2X are currently in use in my household. The D2X has a noticeably better audio quality and is capable of higher db. My parents made that comparison as well and none of us are anywhere near audiophilia.
I couldn't knock the Fatal1ty, however, as it's used in the theatre system my parents own. Blu-Rays sound nice and full.

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synthesis204

I'll see if I can find the successor, would be weird for ASUS to just discontinue its audio cards with no successor (they have one for spdif/optical stuff, but not traditional analog jacks). It seems like some websites still have the D2/D2X in stock if you're interested...they're just not mainstream sites.

@Tak: I'm currently just using the D2 for stereo output (green jack) and microphone. What set up do you have with it/how is it?

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Takaharu

I use a Logitech Z-5500 via coax.
For a direct comparison, the Fatal1ty is connected to a set of KEF speakers through an Onkyo amplifier via optical cable (yeah, I know the models matter but the brands should say enough). My PC was connected to that setup the same way when Tron Legacy didn't want to play properly through the media centre PC and the sound difference was that noticeable.
I also use the D2X with the original Creative Fatal1ty headset for gaming and when I'm watching films on my TV I use two Eltax floor-standing speakers through a Technics digital synthesiser. Each of those provides a crisp, clear sound quality in my opinion with plenty of bass and loads of room for an increase of volume.

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