Auzentech to release Prelude X-fi

[Helevitia]

Not sure if anyone saw this back on the 16th. Apparently Auzentech(who I hear makes good audiophile sound cards) are going to license the X-fi chipset from Creative so that they cna have both EAX 5 and Audiophile grade sound. Anybody ever use one of these cards? If so, how are the drivers? How is the sound?

Press Release:

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

[Jammrock]

Never heard of them. Hopefully their drivers are better than Creatives.

[Dr Mordrid]

Almost anything is better than Creatives drivers

I've been using M-Audios higher end cards in video rigs. Tons of inputs and outputs (10x10), 64 bit drivers, XLR input connectors, 7.1 plus bass management, AC-3 and DTS pass-through etc.



But I really want this one;

[Helevitia]

Prelude to come out in a few weeks. Looking forward to the reviews.

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=7492

[Helevitia]

More info. I'm really getting excited about this card. Top end audio, X-fi support, real time DD encoding and support for HDMI 1.3!

Key Components
Creative X-Fi CA20K Audio Processor
One AKM AK-5394 super high performance 192kHz 24-bit ADC for analog input
Four AKM AK-4396 192kHz 24-bit advanced multi-bit DAC for analog output
64Mbytes of memory for audio processing
High fidelity audio OP-Amps for analog input and output
Front L/R output OP-Amp is replaceable by end-user
Dual mode SPDIF receiver and transmitter

IO Connectors
One 3.5mm MIC input connector in rear panel
One 3.5mm line input connector in rear panel
One 4-pin AUX connector on board
Four 3.5mm 8 channel line output connectors in rear panel
(FL/FR/C/SW/RL/RR/RSL/RSR)
One S/PDIF combo input connector in rear panel for receiving either coaxial
or optical digital
One S/PDIF combo output connector in rear panel for transmitting either
coaxial or optical digital
16-bit to 24-bit recording sampling rates: 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32,
44.1, 48 and 96kHz
One 10-pin front panel connector on board for MIC input and headphone support
One 40-pin digital extension header on board to support AD-Link and other
digital functionality

Technical Specifications
24-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion of analog inputs at 96kHz sample rate
24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of digital sources at 96kHz to analog
7.1 channel speaker output
24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of stereo digital sources at 192kHz to
stereo output
16-bit to 24-bit recording sampling rates: 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32,
44.1, 48 and 96kHz
ASIO 2.0 support at 16-bit/44.1kHz, 16-bit/48kHz, 24-bit/44.1kHz
24-bit/48kHz and 24-bit/96kHz with direct monitoring.
Enhanced SoundFont support of up to 24-bit resolution

Here is the link to the Hi-Res version:

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/imagehosting/prelude71_hi-res.jpg

[Jammrock]

Damn! That looks like a swett card on paper. I sure hope they write their own drivers, and they are good, as in better than Creatives. And work well in Vista... Lots of ifs.

[Helevitia]

Damn! That looks like a swett card on paper. I sure hope they write their own drivers, and they are good, as in better than Creatives. And work well in Vista... Lots of ifs.

Have you ever heard of the X-Meridian? Most reviews praise this card for high quality audio and the fact that you can replace the op amps on it. I've never read anything bad about the drivers. I'm willing to take a chance

[Helevitia]

Just noticed that have Vista 32 & 64-bit drivers:

Q : Are Auzentech Soundcards compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista?
A: Yes, Vista drivers are available. We have developers hard at work perfecting Microsoft Windows Vistaâ„¢ drivers to power all of our sound cards for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. See below for the latest information.

Latest News about Vista Compatibility
04/24/07
We are pleased to announce the release of beta soundcard drivers for use with 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows Vistaâ„¢. These soundcard drivers work with Auzentech's

The 32-bit drivers came out in February

[Fluff]

Look at all those beautiful capacitors!!! Cheap Hardware DSP loudspeaker correction / EQ here we come. Should be possible. version of this www.deqx.com

Now do i get this or a RME HDSPe 9632 PCIe sound card when it comes out.

[az]

You want beautiful caps on a sound card?

[Nowhere]

And I really wonder...why do you have such hopes that they won't be reusing drivers made by creators of the chip; that they will make their, better?

[Kooldino]

Speaking of caps...I saw some ad for a Gigabyte board where they used some new, fancy cap?

[Helevitia]

Speaking of caps...I saw some ad for a Gigabyte board where they used some new, fancy cap?

You are referring to Solid vs. Electrolytic Capacitors

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/FileList/NewTech/2006_motherboard_newtech/article_02_all_solid.htm

Other motherboard companies are doing the same.

[Helevitia]

Auzentech revised the shipping date to "the end of June". I'll probably be the guinea pig and buy this card when it comes out.

[Helevitia]

You want beautiful caps on a sound card?

One other thing, this sound card has the older electrolytic caps where as the Prelude has the newer solid caps. Don't get me wrong, the pic above is still nice to look at, just thought I'd point that out. Also, what kind of sound card is that?