which x-fi card for digital coax out?

[halo112358]

The title says it all, I'm looking for an X-Fi card with EAX 5 that can do digital coax out. I hear the prelude can handle the job, but to be honest I'd rather save the $100 and go with an $80 creative card. Anyone know which cards can handle coax out?

ps: let's try not to make this a rehash fo the flexijack argument (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=172285).

[Soulburner]

Just so you know, if you do digital out, you lose EAX.

[naokaji]

Just so you know, if you do digital out, you lose EAX.

any technical reason for that or just another creative screw up? just wondering.

[Donnie27]

any technical reason for that or just another creative screw up? just wondering.

Since Creative doesn't have a DDL or DTS license for S/PDIF Out so their processed Digital out is limited to 2Ch.

There are ways to ByPass or use a second cheaper card with DDL or DTS. Or you can use a DTS-610 connect to the Analog out of the Creative cards. No matter what the Creative X-Fi naysays say, it doesn't sound that bad. Plus it's cheaper and much easier to use than a second card.

[naokaji]

Since Creative doesn't have a DDL or DTS license for S/PDIF Out so their processed Digital out is limited to 2Ch.

There are ways to ByPass or use a second cheaper card with DDL or DTS. Or you can use a DTS-610 connect to the Analog out of the Creative cards. No matter what the Creative X-Fi naysays say, it doesn't sound that bad. Plus it's cheaper and much easier to use than a second card.

thx for clearing that up.

[Donnie27]

thx for clearing that up.

You're welcomed.

[Scubar]

X-Fi Prelude can do EAX over DDL :P

[ROBSCIX]

DTS very soon also...

[WeStSiDePLaYa]

What are you going digital out to?

[apexracing]

^ His grandmother wants 5.1 to come out of her ears, mouth, nose and bottom.

What else is there, other than a receiver. :rolleyes:

[Soulburner]

I guess times have changed. In general, digital out means no processing by the card at all.

However with Auzen delivering the Prelude, DDL/DTS capable receivers will be able to utilize a digital connection with EAX processing as it will be done by the card first.

I didn't go this route...because I got an $89 Onkyo SR-304 receiver that just can't be beat for the price. $89! Anyway, the option is there if you have the right receiver. I stuck to analog and have no issues whatsoever. I get to enjoy the analog processing prowess of the Prelude and full 5.1 EAX surround. I just have to use a couple more cables...if I had gone with a receiver that matched this kind of sound quality (for digital out), I would have spent 5-10 times more.

[halo112358]

I have a set of altec lansing speakers from 8 or 9 years ago, they support either 3.5mm analog or digital coax. If I run analog I get enough line noise that it's noticeable (even on my consumer speakers), so I've been using digital coax whenever I can.

what I really want is EAX 5, better gaming performance and digital coax out.

[ROBSCIX]

^ His grandmother wants 5.1 to come out of her ears, mouth, nose and bottom.

What else is there, other than a receiver. :rolleyes:


Well let's see there is a:

1. External Digital to analog Converter (DAC)
2. Digital ready speaker systems e.g. Z-5500's
3. Digital ready amplifier/Receiver
4. Another PC with digital inputs.

I have a set of labtec PC speakers from 8 or 9 years ago, they support either 3.5mm analog or digital coax. If I run analog I get enough line noise that it's noticeable (even on my consumer speakers), so I've been using digital coax whenever I can.
what I really want is EAX 5, better gaming performance and digital coax out.

Really? How long are the cables your running?
That sound like a issue with the speaker system and not so much the card. You should be able to run very long runs without any noticeable line-noise. Grab the X-Gamer and some new speakers because it sound like they have some problems, thats my advice. If you want digital coax output in 5.1 then you have to go with the Prelude to have EAX 5.0 unless you buy the cheaper card and external decoder..etc
Hope this helps.

[halo112358]

I think it's my noisy environment rather than the speakers (802.11n wifi, lots of other crap nearby) - I can hear a very clear difference when I run digital coax vs 3.5mm.

Thanks for the info re: the prelude, I guess I'll spring for it then.

edit: doh, they're altec lansing, not labtec. so much for posting before my second cup of coffee. They're pretty good by the way, certainly not audiophile quality, but awesome for normal pc gaming.

[disruptfam]

is that why i'm only getting 2 speakers working with my prelude through digital?

Even though i have the option for 5.1 ticked?

[apexracing]

^ If your source audio is 2-channel, DDL won't change that, you need to enable CMSS. I don't recommend cranking up CMSS too much, it causes distortion at higher levels, keep it below 30%.

[ROBSCIX]

is that why i'm only getting 2 speakers working with my prelude through digital?

Even though i have the option for 5.1 ticked?

DDL is just a encoding technology, It won't upmix anything...for 2 channel sources it just passes it the way it is. With the Prelude you have to use CMSS for upmix to 5.1 then DDL for digital encoding. DTS and HDMI are on the way also...

[Donnie27]

Is there an echo here?

[ROBSCIX]

@Apex, I am unsure what you mean by "Crank" CMSS. Are you referring to the Crystallizer?

[apexracing]

Ah no, I was referring to the "stereo envelopment" of CMSS, I've found sending more than 30% can have a detrimental effect on the sound, due to being over-processed.

Never bothered with the Crystallizer..

[Donnie27]

Ah no, I was referring to the "stereo envelopment" of CMSS, I've found sending more than 30% can have a detrimental effect on the sound, due to being over-processed.

Never bothered with the Crystallizer..

As you correctly noticed, the two different settings CMSS3D has differing effects on 2Ch Source to Multi-Channel effects or just Spreading Stereo to the other speakers. The last effect is making Headphones simulate 5.1 speakers. Only spreading the sound is worth bothering with. Personally I only listen to 2ch music the way it was meant to be heard. Others love the sound from everywhere, that's cool to.

You can over process easily.

[ROBSCIX]

Ah no, I was referring to the "stereo envelopment" of CMSS, I've found sending more than 30% can have a detrimental effect on the sound, due to being over-processed.
Never bothered with the Crystallizer..

I understand what you mean. Yeah most effects can be overdone, especially "enhancement" type effects. I figured you meant the Crystallizer because many people say when cranking it up on a CL X-fi you will get distortion.:yepp:

[halo112358]

I pulled the trigger on a prelude today, thanks for all of the info!

[Soulburner]

As you correctly noticed, the two different settings CMSS3D has differing effects on 2Ch Source to Multi-Channel effects or just Spreading Stereo to the other speakers. The last effect is making Headphones simulate 5.1 speakers. Only spreading the sound is worth bothering with. Personally I only listen to 2ch music the way it was meant to be heard. Others love the sound from everywhere, that's cool to.
I'm one of those people. I prefer to have my music surrounding me, so I utilize all 5 of my speakers :cool:

No different than a car stereo really.

[Donnie27]

I'm one of those people. I prefer to have my music surrounding me, so I utilize all 5 of my speakers :cool:

No different than a car stereo really.

Absolutely:) Unlike some folks here, I like how most folks like different things. It would be boring has hell if we all liked the same things.

[Donnie27]

I pulled the trigger on a prelude today, thanks for all of the info!

Sweet, nice going!

[ROBSCIX]

I pulled the trigger on a prelude today, thanks for all of the info!

Good choice, the Prelude sounds very nice.:yepp:

[ROBSCIX]

I'm one of those people. I prefer to have my music surrounding me, so I utilize all 5 of my speakers :cool:

No different than a car stereo really.

I think this method can sound very good myself. Add a dash of reverb for ambiance and space have your delay set right and your set. -For example. There are many different ways to listen to music.

[Donnie27]

I think this method can sound very good myself. Add a dash of reverb for ambiance and space have your delay set right and your set. -For example. There are many different ways to listen to music.

Sure there is Captain Obvious!

[ROBSCIX]

I pulled the trigger on a prelude today, thanks for all of the info!


I just got finished installing new amps on my Prelude..sounds much better. The stock amps on the Prelude are good quality though. Let me know how you find the sound. -Also the Preludes are said to "burn-in" over a weeks time. If you believe that sort of thing. :shrug:

[Soulburner]

I think this method can sound very good myself. Add a dash of reverb for ambiance and space have your delay set right and your set. -For example. There are many different ways to listen to music.
I don't alter the audio with fancy reverbs or anything, I just send the audio to all the speakers.

Really it isn't different than cranking up your music in the car. How do you guys, that claim to "listen to music how its intended to" work that out? Do you really shut off the rear speakers in your car? The problem is your rears are generally much more powerful than the fronts...this is a bit OT but it got me thinking after seeing that said a few times now.

[Donnie27]

I don't alter the audio with fancy reverbs or anything, I just send the audio to all the speakers.

Really it isn't different than cranking up your music in the car. How do you guys, that claim to "listen to music how its intended to" work that out? Do you really shut off the rear speakers in your car? The problem is your rears are generally much more powerful than the fronts...this is a bit OT but it got me thinking after seeing that said a few times now.

Music in the Car is like having a Hamburger and in the House is like a Stake!
Sure they're both Beef:D

Yet, I love Mozart and friends as well as JPS marches. I played Tuba and Baritone while in School. Anyway, I (just me, more power to EVERYONE else) am used to either being in the Audience or up on the stage. I like being in the Audience to listen and on the stage to play. Not all that crazy about being on the stage to listen.

Funny you should mention in the Car. I just heard some very sweet 5.1 in a New Caddy! Music isn't mastered for a car and it would hard to put larger speakers in the front dash of the car as well.

The Music bug bit me just before Quad hit scene in 70's. I like some 2ch music in surround. A very good example would be Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. They even performed live with the sound system setup in a Surround fashion. Parlament Funkadelic's "The Goose". I listen to everything but C&C and Blue's.

[ROBSCIX]

I don't alter the audio with fancy reverbs or anything, I just send the audio to all the speakers.

Really it isn't different than cranking up your music in the car. How do you guys, that claim to "listen to music how its intended to" work that out? Do you really shut off the rear speakers in your car? The problem is your rears are generally much more powerful than the fronts...this is a bit OT but it got me thinking after seeing that said a few times now.


Some music can use a small touch of reverb to open up the space.
I don't use it very often and if any a very small amount. Usually everything is straight signal.

[halo112358]

My new prelude arrived this morning, it sounds fantastic.

[ROBSCIX]

My new prelude arrived this morning, it sounds fantastic.

....And that is why people buy Preludes.:yepp:

[Donnie27]

My new prelude arrived this morning, it sounds fantastic.

They're great cards, makes you wonder why certain folks feel they need to spam them:rolleyes:

[ROBSCIX]

My new prelude arrived this morning, it sounds fantastic.

What type of gear are you using with the Prelude?