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There hasn't been much interest in PC sound
cards lately. People are either quite happy with what they got or
don't think anything out there is worth a look. One reason for this is
because many new motherboards now offer some decent onboard audio and many
do not find a reason to upgrade. I would actually agree with this when
it comes to some of the older generation sound cards. However, the
sound card I will be reviewing today is certainly an exception and one that
truly deserves some consideration. Creative has been manufacturing
sound cards for quite some time and while I honestly lost interest since
the release of the Audigy series, their new line of cards are truly in a
whole other level. Stay with me here as I give you a detailed look at
the new X-Fi XtremeMusic and focus on some of the excellent features that
don't seem to be covered much in other reviews. Its not only the
hardware that is impressive, but the feature-rich software bundle as well!
Packaging & Contents
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There are four models in the X-Fi series. The model I'll be looking at
is the XtremeMusic edition which is essentially the same card, but without
all the extras. This model comes with a software CD, quick install
guide and a nice case badge to please those system builders.
The Card
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This is one of the prettiest PCI cards I've laid eyes on. From its
distinctive black PCB, to its gold plated jacks and bracket, it has quality
written all over it.
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What is really impressive though is the technology behind it, thanks to
their innovative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity processor...
Utilizing the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity
audio processor, your music and movie audio is sent through a two-step
quality enhancement process. First the processor converts the audio into
24-bit/96kHz quality using its virtually transparent SRC (Sample Rate
Converter) engine. Then it remasters and selectively enhances the audio by
analyzing and identifying which parts of the audio stream have been
restricted/damaged during the compression stages to 16-bit and then to MP3.
Specifications
Technical Specs
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 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 at up to 24-bit resolution
Audio Performance (Rated Output @ 2Vrms)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (20kHz Low-pass filter, A-Weighted)
Stereo Output: 109dB
Front and Rear Channels: 109dB
Center, Subwoofer and Side Channels: 109dB
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise at 1kHz (20kHz Low-pass filter) = 0.004%
Frequency Response (-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz input ) = <10Hz to 46kHz
Frequency Response (-3dB, 24-bit/192kHz input) = <10Hz to 88kHz (Stereo
only)
Connectivity
FlexiJack (Performing a 3-in-1 function, Digital I/O1 / Line In /
Microphone) via 3.50mm mini jack
Line level out (Front / Rear / Side / Center / Subwoofer) via 3.50mm mini
jacks
AUX_IN line-level analog input via 4-pin Molex connector on card
One AD_Link (26 pin) connector for linking to the X-Fi I/O Console (upgrade
option)
1 Supports SPDIF Out compressed ac3 signal or PCM for Stereo Digital
Speaker. Also supports SPDIF In with Creative Digital I/O Module (sold
separately).
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