Product Description

AUZEN X-PFI PRELUDE 7.1 - AUZENTECH (ACCESSORY)

Product Details

• Brand: CSDC
• Platform: Windows XP
• Dimensions: .39" h x .39" w x .39" l, .66 pounds

Customer Reviews

Good but ...
To replace an old flakey Creative Audigy 2 I got this Auzentech, with the idea of high quality digitizing of tapes and LPs in my library. There are only a couple inputs to this card, one of which is the internal CD/AUX input. The mic and line in appear to be on the same bus even though they have separate input sliders - you can't enable them both and adjust the volume separately at the same time. The mixer software is derived from Creative's - the mixer looks nearly the same as that for my Creative X-Fi in my other machine, not surprising since Auzen licensed the chips from Creative - though I like Creative's version better. The audio quality out from the card is excellent, and it can digitize at 24bit/96khz. The software is what disappointed me. One mixer view is a simulation of a studio mixer that is maddening in its limitations - it looks good but is no substitute for a real mixer. Don't do games so I can't comment on that performance.
If you intend to use the card primarily for playback you will be quite pleased with the sound quality, but I returned the card for another (less expensive) brand.

Best sound card on the market
After doing a ton of research, I settled on this card when building my current computer. I'm glad I did. This sound card is bare-none the best sound card I've ever used, and I've had quite a few excellent sound cards in my time (going back to the old sound blasters in the 90s).

What makes this card so great? Features, sound quality, and future proofing. Lets start with features.

Features: (I've not listed all of them, just those that I found most important)

64MB of x-ram. This means that the card has it's OWN memory for processing sound, leaving more of your system resources free for other applications. For gaming, this is a real plus.

Swappable OPAMP Sockets! Although this is only for the front L/R speakers, this guarantees that as things change, you can get new OPAMPs as they're needed. (This also qualifies as 'future proofing')

Support for EAX, Dolby® Digital Live and DTS® Interactive.

Different modes for gaming, entertainment, etc... I've messed around with these, but have not noticed a difference in frame rates when using game vs. entertainment mode.

Dual mode S/PDIF receiver and transmitter. This is really useful for hooking this baby up to a home stereo, which I've not done yet, but plan to in the near future. (Other, professional reviews I found indicate this works exceptionally well).

Sound Quality:

Amazing sound reproduction! The clarity, depth, and quality of the sound are breathtaking when coupled with a good set of speakers. (I use a Klipsch 2.1 System, which I've also reviewed). Highs are high, lows low, and the bass has lots of depth and punch. Read some of the professional review online to verify, but believe me, this card really produces high quality sound across the spectrum.

Future Proofing:

Replaceable OPAMPs, onboard memory, support for cutting edge sound processing, and SPIDF output guarantee this card will be viable for years to come. As games and applications get more demanding, its good to know your sound card will age well. Also, Auzentech has continued to release updated drivers to support new sound processes as they've developed over time. I've no doubt they will continue to do so, meaning that as BlueRay eventually overtakes DVDs as the preferred format, this card will support whatever sound format wins out. That to me justifies the price. I know that my card will work and continue to work as other technologies change.

Highly recommended
If you want a stable, hi-fidelity sound card to compliment your gaming experience, with all the special 3D and EAX effects, then this is the sound card to get. Realism is so great, that sound effects and there origination location are now easily recognized, thus greatly enhancing the gaming experience to new levels.