Asus Xonar DX 7.1

[tbone8ty]

anygood?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132006

[irev210]

I picked it up a few days ago.


Use it on my media center PC, sounds fine *shrug*


Wish I could find a review somewhere for it

[G.Foyle]

I just bought one, well, Ashraf did and he's shipping it to me. I'll let you know what I think when it arrives, hopefully next week.

[ban916]

Asus Xonar DX 7.1 KICKS ASS!!!!!!!!! I just got this card and put it in today and I must say, I am blown away. It only costs $89 at newegg and will hang on put the hurt on any creative card out right now. Even their $150 sound card. Also the drivers kick ass in Vista 64 bit out the box. I had Realtek HD on board sound before and this sounds 4 times better, like night and day. Also I get about 3-7 more fps in all my games including Crysis. At the price everyone should have one.

[Nicksterr]

I've been considering the card, it's just that I don't have any problems with my xtrememusic. It sounds so good.

[tbone8ty]

I picked it up a few days ago.


Use it on my media center PC, sounds fine *shrug*


Wish I could find a review somewhere for it



techreport.com

http://techreport.com/articles.x/14500

comapres it to the 5.1

[shiznit93]

Does the DS3D GX 2.0 wrapper work in Source Engine games like CS:S? I really want to get rid of my X-FI but I am not downgrading to basic software stereo in CounterStrike. If anyone who knows what I'm talking about could test this it would be awesome.

[WhiteFireDragon]

is this comparable to the higher end xonar?

[ReLiK]

I have the Xonar D2x and if the Dx is anything like it, it will be a great card. I have nothing but good things to say about the D2x. I went from X-Fi XtemeMusic, to the Fatality, to a Bluegears B-Enspire, and finally the D2x. No comparison really.

[shiznit93]

I have the Xonar D2x and if the Dx is anything like it, it will be a great card. I have nothing but good things to say about the D2x. I went from X-Fi XtemeMusic, to the Fatality, to a Bluegears B-Enspire, and finally the D2x. No comparison really.
does the DS3D wrapper work in Source Engine games?

[ReLiK]

does the DS3D wrapper work in Source Engine games?

Not sure to be honest. I am running Logitech Z2200's. Just 2.1. I do run SPDIF out to my Onkyo Tx-SR705 so I can check that out for you.

[ReLiK]

Ok, I'm not sure what your looking for but in Half Life 2 Ep. 2 I was able to output 5.1 sound to my reciever. Sounded pretty good. Using Optical cable. Not sure if that's even what you want. I am using vista 32 bit.

[GAR]

does EAX 5.0 wrapper work on D2X cards, or only the DX?

[ROBSCIX]

does EAX 5.0 wrapper work on D2X cards, or only the DX?

The GX 2.0 drivers work with the Xonar D2, Xonar D2X and the new Xonar DX.
The USB Xonar U1 is not compatible with these drivers, IIRC. Hope that Helps.

[GAR]

The GX 2.0 drivers work with the Xonar D2, Xonar D2X and the new Xonar DX.
The USB Xonar U1 is not compatible with these drivers, IIRC. Hope that Helps.

Thanks, ive been looking for a new sound card thats pci-e, if x-fi had one id probably get one, in my exp. ive had good luck with creative, ill go and knock on wood right now.

[ROBSCIX]

Thanks, ive been looking for a new sound card thats pci-e, if x-fi had one id probably get one, in my exp. ive had good luck with creative, ill go and knock on wood right now.

Are you considering the DX or going for the D2X? If your concerned about drivers on the Xonars, I wouldn't worry about it as the Xonar drivers are solid as a rock.:yepp:

[shiznit93]

Ok, I'm not sure what your looking for but in Half Life 2 Ep. 2 I was able to output 5.1 sound to my reciever. Sounded pretty good. Using Optical cable. Not sure if that's even what you want. I am using vista 32 bit.
you did this using Dolby Digital Live I'm assuming. the reason I ask is because people on the Asus forums say the hardware acceleration wrapper doesn't work in the Source engine in Vista and since I play CS:S every day I can't get this card until I know for a fact I won't be stuck with software stereo.

[ROBSCIX]

you did this using Dolby Digital Live I'm assuming. the reason I ask is because people on the Asus forums say the hardware acceleration wrapper doesn't work in the Source engine in Vista and since I play CS:S every day I can't get this card until I know for a fact I won't be stuck with software stereo.

I have a friend from another forum who just recently installed the DX and he plays Source engine games. The only trouble he found was when using GX 2.0 mode in VISTA, the DX would revert to Stereo mode. It is actually the source engine and not the card. Valve is aware of this little glitch and gave out this fix:
+snd_surround_speakers 5

You add this to the launch options and you have full 5.1 in your source engine games under Vista. They further said they will be releasing this fix probably next week.
Other then this little addition for the launch options, there is no trouble with audio in the source engine games, in fact he said it sounds better with the DX as he no longer has the audio artifacts he had with the X-fi and Vista. Hope this info is what you were looking for.:up:

[Donnie27]

does EAX 5.0 wrapper work on D2X cards, or only the DX?

So tell us, did you ever have "audio artifacts he had with the X-fi" playing any sorce engine? I never heard any with my X-Fi or Audigies LOL! I wonder if Creative didn't pay marketing dollars to certain folks :rolleyes:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6756445&postcount=1

What did Asus really do?



Alchemy:
My last ALchemy release (1.00.08) was complately unlocked and could be used with any sound device from any vendor.


Now sure if they try and tell the world their Cmedia Chip is unique, then taking DK stuff and doing the same is child's play.

I've heard this card, call it a good Home Theater Card and say BS for games!
Only HL2 EP2 supports EAX 5.0, the rest don't AFAIK.

Then Daniel says;Modding is OK

I don't think there was something wrong with mods themselves.

Modding is a common practice among enthusiasts and I don't recall some company threatning a modder, unless you allow an exclusive feature to be used with competitor products (ie: SLI on non-NVIDIA chipsers or ALchemy on competitor products, as I've said before).

He's still wondering what he did wrong?:rofl: Showed this to one of my Lawyer friends and he :rofl:

One tiny problem, I heard Battlefield 2 on an Audigy 2, with P17 drivers. If you never heard it on a PROPERLY setup X-Fi, it's nice. If you have, then it sounds like stuff is missing=P DX2 is hit and miss at best when it comes to games.

[aiaN]

If this clears it up to you as an audiophile gamer as i am.

Forget x-fi and EAX. As dice stated late 07 that game producers shuld focusing on creating good pure quality sound (DT). Since eax and other type of software is just tweaking the sound with all sorts of rotten equalizer's.

Same goes for x-fi whatever people say. I can sit with my Pioneer LX-70 and HD650 with cables that themselves cost about 500$. And i can say one thing. Pure gaming sound is so mutch better even goes for mp3/flacc/apple loosesless.
Equalisers comes with low end audio gear like mp3 players and sutch. And therefore allso loved by low end audio-cards. This is the way allso creative gained sutch a foot in the gamers market! Cause this magnificent idea is making things so mutch better for you. NO!

Gaming companies have more or less moved from the EAX wave that moved on the early 21century. And as of today many more progress with DTS sound. And what can i say Asus has focused on what audio enthusiast has. They give a mid-range hi-fi experience out of the box for a low bill.
And im talking of the D2 card. Here you get 2 balanced exits "XLR" and an OK DAC.

The only thing i can say about the asus cards with i allso need some help with. And that lay's probbably in the drivers. Im using XP 32bit and if a high frequent sound comes in windows, the other sounds that are playing "music, games and sutch" fades away. And this is rather irretating for me, but maybee posetive for some. This is allmost not noticable for many ears but i get nuts about it.

And the main "crusade" here if you wish. Is! Screw creative, screw creative technoligy harder, and piss on those who base their cards on the same crap.
Dont care about prosessor use,looks, stinky ass reviews of people who check out their cards with 128bps and a pair of headphones from 20-200$, care about the things that matters.

Hope this helped.
Btw. Many good alternatives out there instead of asus ^^

[Donnie27]

If this clears it up to you as an audiophile gamer as i am.

Forget x-fi and EAX. As dice stated late 07 that game producers shuld focusing on creating good pure quality sound (DT). Since eax and other type of software is just tweaking the sound with all sorts of rotten equalizer's.

Same goes for x-fi whatever people say. I can sit with my Pioneer LX-70 and HD650 with cables that themselves cost about 500$. And i can say one thing. Pure gaming sound is so mutch better even goes for mp3/flacc/apple loosesless.
Equalisers comes with low end audio gear like mp3 players and sutch. And therefore allso loved by low end audio-cards. This is the way allso creative gained sutch a foot in the gamers market! Cause this magnificent idea is making things so mutch better for you. NO!

Gaming companies have more or less moved from the EAX wave that moved on the early 21century. And as of today many more progress with DTS sound. And what can i say Asus has focused on what audio enthusiast has. They give a mid-range hi-fi experience out of the box for a low bill.
And im talking of the D2 card. Here you get 2 balanced exits "XLR" and an OK DAC.

The only thing i can say about the asus cards with i allso need some help with. And that lay's probbably in the drivers. Im using XP 32bit and if a high frequent sound comes in windows, the other sounds that are playing "music, games and sutch" fades away. And this is rather irretating for me, but maybee posetive for some. This is allmost not noticable for many ears but i get nuts about it.

And the main "crusade" here if you wish. Is! Screw creative, screw creative technoligy harder, and piss on those who base their cards on the same crap.
Dont care about prosessor use,looks, stinky ass reviews of people who check out their cards with 128bps and a pair of headphones from 20-200$, care about the things that matters.

Hope this helped.
Btw. Many good alternatives out there instead of asus ^^

Anyone can spend too much on Cables and still not get better sound. I have friends who call HD 650 entry level, hehehe!

http://sound.westhost.com/cables.htm
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/article/1790/



By: Sander Sassen

Audio, but especially high-end audio comes with its own strong following, and unlike with computers, where absurd performance claims can easily be debunked by running a set of benchmarks, there are no such benchmarks in audio. That is unfortunate as many manufacturers of audio equipment fool people into buying equipment or accessories based on claims that are simply false and in many cases blatant lies. Granted, that is a pretty bold claim to make on my behalf; but rest assured that I don not make such claims lightly. Unlike many of these manufacturer's customers I have a sound grasp of the underlying physics as I took the trouble of completing a Master's degree in electronics engineering.

Top-ten-signs-an-audio-cable-vendor-is-selling-you-snake-oil (http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/top-ten-signs-an-audio-cable-vendor-is-selling-you-snake-oil)

IMHO, $500 cables prove there's a sucker born every day as one promoter once said.

They've not moved from from EAX yet and wildly poplar games like Half Life EP-2 and MANY others support EAX 5.0. The only folks I'VE MET, not just posted to online, who didn't like EAX are those folks who's never heard it working properly=P Game sounds aren't very realistic. EAX simply ads realism to this stuff. It doesn't add tone or bass and treble like an EQ LOL! It also adds these effects with very low latency, something the others can't claim:rolleyes: Until all of those EAX games are dead, the X-Fi based cards are still the best for Games=P

[aiaN]

Well i agree on one thing, and that is definetly that the Cardas cables ain't closely worth the price. But HD650 is the entry level i know. But that does not mean that i don't have other headsett's. Grado is my favorit and will allways be. But i tried the HD595 and where shocked over the quality. So now i want to try out the HD650 :P

And i allso stand on that you will never get that good component's for your computer to get sound that is better than a good CD player component with a good amplifyer.... But i just stated that Asus has extreme good soundcard's for a extremely ok price. Instead of Creative witch is arse.

[Donnie27]

Well i agree on one thing, and that is definetly that the Cardas cables ain't closely worth the price. But HD650 is the entry level i know. But that does not mean that i don't have other headsett's. Grado is my favorit and will allways be. But i tried the HD595 and where shocked over the quality. So now i want to try out the HD650 :P

And i allso stand on that you will never get that good component's for your computer to get sound that is better than a good CD player component with a good amplifyer.... But i just stated that Asus has extreme good soundcard's for a extremely ok price. Instead of Creative witch is arse.

Pros
I've gotten at least 3 people locally to get the Asus cards and they're very nice. IMHO they are well worth the $89 price tag. Makes a great HTPC sound card, not shabby for games. The drivers aren't bad but there's a good reason, it's a software based card. So these cards need fewer drivers. But make not mistake here like one other guy keeps doing, this is both good and bad. Not just from a stability standpoint but from a features standpoint. Look at it another way.

I don't know if you remember the whole Win-Modem and Win NIC, vs the 3Com HW Modem and Intel HW NIC fights. Both the hardware parts had driver sizes that were far larger than the software versions. But the software versions had fewer features and used more CPU cycles. Well, Fast CPUs can make cycles a none issue but nothing change from a Features point of view.

Cons.
I've seen these cards FAKE EAX 3 and not even come close to EAX most of the time 7 out of 10 games tested. Game support is patchy where it works on here and there.

So, the best Gamer and Entertainment sound card hands down is still the Prelude 7.1, Best bang for the buck Gamer is the X-Fi Xtreme Gamer, bang for the buck HTPC sound card is the DX7.1, but that just IMHO, no matter how much Creative sucks. They ALL are guilty of selling junk from time to time:mad:

I like the HD 650.

[shiznit93]

I have a friend from another forum who just recently installed the DX and he plays Source engine games. The only trouble he found was when using GX 2.0 mode in VISTA, the DX would revert to Stereo mode. It is actually the source engine and not the card. Valve is aware of this little glitch and gave out this fix:
+snd_surround_speakers 5

You add this to the launch options and you have full 5.1 in your source engine games under Vista. They further said they will be releasing this fix probably next week.
Other then this little addition for the launch options, there is no trouble with audio in the source engine games, in fact he said it sounds better with the DX as he no longer has the audio artifacts he had with the X-fi and Vista. Hope this info is what you were looking for.:up:
thank you very much.


So tell us, did you ever have "audio artifacts he had with the X-fi" playing any sorce engine? I never heard any with my X-Fi or Audigies LOL! I wonder if Creative didn't pay marketing dollars to certain folks :rolleyes:
I don't know if the correct term for it is artifacts, but there are definitely glitches in CS:S when using ALchemy and X-FI. Certain sounds get cut off if another sound starts playing while the first one was still playing as if there if it had hit a limit and had to dump the 'older' sound (this maybe related to the buffers and duration setting the alchemy .ini file but it has to be set to 4 and 20 respectively to work in Source). Sometimes if I alt-tab to desktop while dead then come back for the next round the sound will have crazy ammounts of reverb and I'll have to do a snd_restart in console. Vista doesn't have a 'headphone' sound setting so I use 5.1 in Control Panel and ALchemy also forces 5.1 in Source with CMSS-3D Headphone and the positional sound is pretty damn good and I can't tell the difference between Vista and XP with the same settings, besides the glitches I mentioned earlier.

And yes, HD650s w/M3 amp are very very nice.

[Donnie27]

thank you very much.


I don't know if the correct term for it is artifacts, but there are definitely glitches in CS:S when using ALchemy and X-FI. Certain sounds get cut off if another sound starts playing while the first one was still playing as if there if it had hit a limit and had to dump the 'older' sound (this maybe related to the buffers and duration setting the alchemy .ini file but it has to be set to 4 and 20 respectively to work in Source). Sometimes if I alt-tab to desktop while dead then come back for the next round the sound will have crazy ammounts of reverb and I'll have to do a snd_restart in console. Vista doesn't have a 'headphone' sound setting so I use 5.1 in Control Panel and ALchemy also forces 5.1 in Source with CMSS-3D Headphone and the positional sound is pretty damn good and I can't tell the difference between Vista and XP with the same settings, besides the glitches I mentioned earlier.

And yes, HD650s w/M3 amp are very very nice.

The arifacts on the DX2 7.1 we found were caused by a feature called Sound Morphing that the X-Fi can do 4 of at one time while still doing 128 voices. Audigy 2 ZS can do 4 on 64 voices. This is nothing more than Transistional sounds like someone coming out of a building or going into a Cave, and etc.. A good example in Going under a Bridge and hearing someone else doing behind you doing the same. The Game "Driver" comes tom mind.

The 4000+ sounds Creative is talking about is not just 128 voices, but 4 major Effects and 8 minor effects on each of those. So you hear your transistions and 3 others made by other players. The more features a game uses, the better the X-Fi shines.

Most games DON'T feature DS3D and thats why when you hear some EAX effects in games like BIO shock, thank folks like Daniel K LOL!

http://techgage.com/article/creative_eax_vs_asus_ds3d_gx_20/1

With better HW the difference are more pronouced but they are pretty close to what we saw with the New Xonar as well.

[ROBSCIX]

He was talking about the X-fi having artifacts with source games which answers your question. I have talked to many people with the Xonar DX card and none of them mention any kind of artifacts.:rolleyes:

[Donnie27]

He was talking about the X-fi having artifacts with source games which answers your question. I have talked to many people with the Xonar DX card and none of them mention any kind of artifacts.:rolleyes:

Oh, I was talking about artifacts in sound, like echos where they shouldn't be, the dreaded SCP, dropped sounds, poor distance references and etc. Just as some reviewers have complained about. Sorry Rob, if that's not what you want to hear or in this case read.

Techgauge isn't exactly Creative Labs friends and didn't seem to pull any punches for Creative. Tech-report ran one Game and some questioned that conclusion. Xonar is a fine card, just not the best for Games and GX 2.0 is a scam at best;)

[ROBSCIX]

Personally I prefer EAX/OpenAL for games...truth be told. I just noted that all the guys I talked to say there is no artifacts, SCP etc.. when using this card of course user experience varies as GX is NOT quite the same as EAX. They can use further refinement I would say but are far from a scam as you trying to say they are...

You asked the question if anybody had artifacts with a X-fi and you got your answer which you quickly ignored and changed the subject. Have you actually tested THIS card, my guess would be no....I have no trouble taking a person opinions that is speaking FROM experience...

[Donnie27]

Personally I prefer EAX/OpenAL for games...truth be told. I just noted that all the guys I talked to say there is no artifacts, SCP etc.. when using this card of course user experience varies as GX is NOT quite the same as EAX.

You asked the question if anybody had artifacts with a X-fi and you got your answer which you quickly ignored and changed the subject. Have you actually tested THIS card, my guess would be no....I have no trouble taking a person opinions that is speaking FROM experience...

Have you tested it side by side vs the Prelude or the Cretive X-Fi's? I have LOL!

I agree, I like OpenAL + EAX the best. The truth is different for each user=P Like I said, just because I didn't suffer any SCP, doesn't mean the Problem doesn't occur occur with X-Fi. I know GX is not the same as EAX and is closer infact to Alchemy, a wrapper. I already made reference to this by saying it compares to Daniel K's "Alchemy for all" hack, did you miss that? Now how would you think I was talking about EAX?

I HEARD SCP, DROPPED SOUNDS, LOST TRANSITIONS, POOR DISTANCE Reference and etc.......... That isn't an opinion LOL its what I heard and didn't hear! You seem to be doing just what you accuse me of. Even when facts are presented contrary to what you're saying. Like the reviewer that I agreed with said. Like the folks in the Asus forums mentioned, So, are you implying all or lying beause you disagree? I mentioned these these before the reviewer did. I said this "almost EAX"/Fake EAX wasn't done quite right before the review was done, so did he plagiarize me LOL!?

I heard it tested on a nice Stereo and Logitech Z5500's. The better the system, the more pronounced the Game sound differences are.

Edit. You also seem to have a problem with the Review done by TG and clearly he has the card, even you don't believe me, please explain?

[ROBSCIX]

Re-read my post. You seem to have forgot a few sentences there.
All I said is many guys I talked with said they heard no anomalies, of course others would vary some would have big troubles. Same thing with any hardware including most soundcards. They are far from a scam as you say they are. They can use some work. As for the rest of your post, I can't be bothered as your just putting words into my mouth.

I never said I have a problem with anybodies review.

[Donnie27]

Re-read my post. You seem to have forgot a few sentences there.
All I said is many guys I talked with said they heard no anomalies, of course others would vary some would have big troubles. Same thing with any hardware including most soundcards. They are far from a scam as you say they are. They can use some work. As for the rest of your post, I can't be bothered as your just putting words into my mouth.

I never said I have a problem with anybodies review.

Actually you edited it but no big deal, I'll leave it at that. I posted what I did long before you posted Rob. When GX first came out I said I doubted it would do complete EAX 5.0. I heard the card and it sounds at least like EAX 3 effects wise opinion and not sound quality wise. I'm not the only one saying that.

I have no real reason to trash this card and have recommended it to others for HTPC, just not for Games when X-Gamer is at a similar to cheaper price point. Sure I'll agree to disagree neither us can give this card something doesn't have, namely full EAX 5.0 support it doesn't have FACT. As even Asus is now saying. Missing Sound Morphing or having it stop before it is supposed is an Anomaly. SCP from missing sounds is an Artifact! But we're nit picking here. I've heard the Audigy 2 ZS do better EAX:rolleyes:

I've not misrepresented what you've posted. As long as the user hasn't listened to a properly setup X-Fi (all excpet Xtreme Audio) with HW OpenAL + EAX, this card will do fine.

[ROBSCIX]

To take the high road on this one, I think we are both misunderstanding what the other is conveying.
I never said nor implied this card does perfect effects etc..Show me where I said that? -Your putting words in my mouth again/still. Your coming across like ALL the DX's in every test have bad audio and anomalies etc. First you read this and then suddenly you tested this. Good enough...whatever.
I have read many threads where people have said they are working great and they have no troubles whatsoever. Further more, a couple reviews stated in a game or two they couldn't tell the difference between a X-fi and the DX....That would be opinion though and far from fact.
Again, when did I say the card has full EAX 5.0 support that can be compared to CL's 1:1? I never did. GX 2.0 is far from a scam and is a definite step forward for gaming support on the Xonar cards for their users.

[Donnie27]

To take the high road on this one, I think we are both misunderstanding what the other is conveying.
I never said nor implied this card does perfect effects etc..Show me where I said that? -Your putting words in my mouth again/still. Your coming across like ALL the DX's in every test have bad audio and anomalies etc. First you read this and then suddenly you tested this. Good enough...whatever.
I have read many threads where people have said they are working great and they have no troubles whatsoever. Further more, a couple reviews stated in a game or two they couldn't tell the difference between a X-fi and the DX....That would be opinion though and far from fact.
Again, when did I say the card has full EAX 5.0 support that can be compared to CL's 1:1? I never did. GX 2.0 is far from a scam and is a definite step forward for gaming support on the Xonar cards for their users.

Rob I'm doing my best to keep this on the High road:up: It does NO ONE any good when it is not. I didn't say you did, I say I'd already said all the Effects weren't there before the Reviewer said the same thing. Meaning he heard what I heard while you were asking me if I heard/tested the card, get it? Or did I misunderstand that? You made the statement that EAX and GX are the same after I'd already said it look like DanielK's Alchemy for everyone.

A couple of reviewers could have NOT set up the card correctly, wouldn't be the first time and will not be the last time.

GX-2.0 is most certainly a Scam and NOT a step forward if Asus says it supports EAX 5.0 when later even they admit it only kind of supports EAX 5.0 or not true EAX 5.0. I'd opted that it sounds more like EAX-3 and I'm talking about sound effects Rob, not sound quality. As one guy said, "there was a nice helo sound, the problem was it sounded too close." Again, poor distance effects that goes back to EAX 4 not even done properly.

[ROBSCIX]

I never said EAX was the same as GX..you clearly didn't read my post. You also continue to put words into my mouth and the rest is opinion. To keep this on a high note: Just let it go, move on....

[Donnie27]

I never said EAX was the same as GX..you clearly didn't read my post. You also continue to put words into my mouth and the rest is opinion. To keep this on a high note: Just let it go, move on....

Dewd, stop accusing people of doing something you are doing, namely, not reading posts. Asus says it supports EAX 5.0, I said it didn't. Yes, hurry up and move on:up: I gave you what, 4 examples? you say "GX is NOT quite the same as EAX" WHILE Asus says "Supports EAX 5.0 via GX-2.0". Please argue with Asus, not me? Why you keep doing this Rob?

[ROBSCIX]

To the forum, I think the Digital output jack wasn't thought out too well. If you want to use the cards line_in/Mic_in you cannot use the Digital output. Definitely a oversight in the design. You could possibly use the AUX_in on the card to get a separate input from the Digital output using a DIY bracket.:yepp: