Auzentech X-Fi Prelude Review

[Miwo]

I have no doubt that your JBLs have some nice bass. To be honest I would have liked a Tower setup myself, but due to space restraints (my bedroom desk setup), I have settled on Bookshelves + Sub.

It depends on what type of speakers you have too. My Bostons are naturally on the bright side, so Crystallizer tends to push things over the edge of my ear's comfort. If you have warmer speakers like JBLs usually are, some added treble can certainly be more fun to listen to. All depends on your tastes

I am trying to run all these Rightmark tests and will try to get some results up soon

[Donnie27]

I have no doubt that your JBLs have some nice bass. To be honest I would have liked a Tower setup myself, but due to space restraints (my bedroom desk setup), I have settled on Bookshelves + Sub.

It depends on what type of speakers you have too. My Bostons are naturally on the bright side, so Crystallizer tends to push things over the edge of my ear's comfort. If you have warmer speakers like JBLs usually are, some added treble can certainly be more fun to listen to. All depends on your tastes

I am trying to run all these Rightmark tests and will try to get some results up soon

These are Infinity Studio Monitor 120's, 32" tall and they still sound better off the floor. About to replace my Poineer so that it can replace the Technics downstairs in my Den. Difinately no Audiophile stuff but folks who's heard say it rocks!

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=91019

This guys says it best.

I had a pair. Frankly, they were NOT bad for rock. Too many "audiophiles" tend to dump a speaker system if it sounds crappy on jazz/classical, etc... My maggies are nice on jazz/classical/etc., but for taking The Ramones out by the pool, it was hard to beat my SM-120s... Plus the things are efficient enough that you can actually get some real volume out of them with a 30 watt receiver. (My girlfriend's sister now has mine, with a 50 watter...)

They're basically hybrid speaks... Part home speak, part pro speak... I'd get the woofs refoamed (Orange County can do it), and you can get new mids at Madisound.

As for the screecher, hey, the things have dual lpads... You can somewhat dial in to taste...

[afireinside]

So there won't be a big difference over my xtrememusic with Beyerdynamic DT-770?

What amp do you run? With a decent amp and decent ears you should be able to tell a difference.

[Donnie27]

I'll go on record with the others and say I don't like CMSS-3D for music either. I like mine in stereo and bitmatched.

[NapalmV5]

I'll go on rerecord with the others and say I don't like CMSS-3D for music either. I like mine in stereo and bitmatched.

have u tried dts connect?

stereo @ 7.1

[Meffy]

Hello there,i bought an X-FI fatality for about a year ago with a front bay drive which im very happy with (Front bay drive).Now my question is: Does anyone knows if i can connect my present Front bay drive(X-FI fatality) to the Auzentech X-Fi Prelude?I'm thinking of gettin me one but i would like to know if Prelude support/can connect the bay drive i already have.
Thx

[Donnie27]

have u tried dts connect?

stereo @ 7.1

Yes, I've tried DTS connect and it wasn't bad at all. What I'd really like is EAX 5 in its full glory being sent via HDMI to even a sound system like the one I have.

I think you've confused what 24bit-192KHz is. The reason I said stereo is because there isn't any 24bit-192KHz 5.1. 6.1 or 7.1 Material last time I checked. That doesn't mean there will never be, but just not now or known about.

The bit width and sample rate has NOTHING to do with 7.1 as you're presenting it. All you need for 7.1 is 24-96KHz or even a lower grade 24bit-48KHz. There are many different formats and a few are almost dead because folks didn't get it DVD-Audio, SACD, DTS-DVD and etc... just to name a few. Then these Discs ship with 2 or 3 formats on each Disc as well.

I bring this up because I took my Hotel California DVD-Audio Disc to a Bud's place and we listened to it in 24bit-192KHz STEREO, not 7.1. I can't wait to hear it on a Prelude.

[Donnie27]

Hello there,i bought an X-FI fatality for about a year ago with a front bay drive which im very happy with (Front bay drive).Now my question is: Does anyone knows if i can connect my present Front bay drive(X-FI fatality) to the Auzentech X-Fi Prelude?I'm thinking of gettin me one but i would like to know if Prelude support/can connect the bay drive i already have.
Thx

So far they're saying it is not compatible. If true, that's too bad I like mine as well. This kind of put me off. I don't want to use two cards. I use my Drive a lot. I plug in Mics, My Guitar-->sweet sound effects, Bass, Headphones and volum control, lite recording via RCA, Digital transfers and etc. As I said in the Case forum thin Cases like my Lian Li 7B and the paper thin Motherboard tray. It sucks if you have to connect and disconnect to the card a lot because the card works itself loose too easily. If I get a Prelude, I have to get, $200 card, another case$?, Extension $58 add-on and loose my I/O Drive, not good

[NapalmV5]

Yes, I've tried DTS connect and it wasn't bad at all. What I'd really like is EAX 5 in its full glory being sent via HDMI to even a sound system like the one I have.

I think you've confused what 24bit-192KHz is. The reason I said stereo is because there isn't any 24bit-192KHz 5.1. 6.1 or 7.1 Material last time I checked. That doesn't mean there will never be, but just not now or known about.

The bit width and sample rate has NOTHING to do with 7.1 as you're presenting it. All you need for 7.1 is 24-96KHz or even a lower grade 24bit-48KHz. There are many different formats and a few are almost dead because folks didn't get it DVD-Audio, SACD, DTS-DVD and etc... just to name a few. Then these Discs ship with 2 or 3 formats on each Disc as well.

I bring this up because I took my Hotel California DVD-Audio Disc to a Bud's place and we listened to it in 24bit-192KHz STEREO, not 7.1. I can't wait to hear it on a Prelude.

my understanding of the xmeridian specs, no matter the input the analog output is 24bit 192khz @ 7.1

[Donnie27]

my understanding of the xmeridian specs, no matter the input the analog output is 24bit 192khz @ 7.1

Yes, that's true but that's also for future formats and etc..., not current ones. 24bit-192KHz Stereo is a Format that's out now and been around at least 6 years or so. Damned shame these techs didn't catch on The XMeridian's software can't do anything with 24/192 input or output

http://www.highfidelityreview.com/re...wnumber=571395

Although the disc does contain a top-notch 192kHz 24-bit two-channel mix, it sounds rather flat and two-dimensional after one has experienced the delights of the 3/2.1 alternative. For purists the presence of a stereo presentation is a welcome addition, and it has not been re-mixed at all, just copied from the original two-channel master tapes. What isn’t clear from the disc itself is just how the 192kHz 24-bit data has been created, since in the ‘Production Notes’ video with Bill Szymczyk, he explains how the original master tapes were sampled at 96kHz. I originally thought some undocumented upsampling may have been employed, but thanks to information from Elliot Scheiner himself, I now know that not to be the case. See our 31st March news story for more information…

http://www.highfidelityreview.com/ne...snumber=578589

Ted Jensen created the two-channel version by converting the original analogue two-track master to digital at 192kHz without any creative changes. This means the source material for the two-channel DVD-Audio version is exactly the same as that for the countless 44.1kHz Compact Disc versions produced over the years and can therefore be used when subjectively comparing the merits of the two.

In simple words, this kicks @$$ compact disc's ahole. I like the surround sound but love the Stereo 24/192. The SACD with the correct a high-end sound system is even better.

Don't believe everything you're told by Creative Labs bashers. As one well known basher posted "Creative's junk player sucks" and another posted 52MB of Bloat. Why is it so large? It can Convert almost any file and do analog recording of almost any format including to 24bit 96KHz 5.1 WAVE files. I got 5GB of them to prove it.

[NapalmV5]

Donnie,

do you know do e-mu have any plans for a swappable opamp audio system cause id be all over it..

ive seen users of 1212/1616 mod to LT1364 opamps but not that easy of a mod for me..

[Donnie27]

Donnie,

do you know do e-mu have any plans for a swappable opamp audio system cause id be all over it..

ive seen users of 1212/1616 mod to LT1364 opamps but not that easy of a mod for me..

AFAIK, NO! But stranger things have happened so I'd never say they never will. Please also be forewarned, these cards offer ZERO HW gaming support. From only a few days I spent with them, 0404 and 1212, they don't need a Mod for my ears but that feature would be nice

[ROBSCIX]

Hello there,i bought an X-FI fatality for about a year ago with a front bay drive which im very happy with (Front bay drive).Now my question is: Does anyone knows if i can connect my present Front bay drive(X-FI fatality) to the Auzentech X-Fi Prelude?I'm thinking of gettin me one but i would like to know if Prelude support/can connect the bay drive i already have.
Thx

Sorry. The are NOT compatible at all. The header on the Prelude looks similar but the pin_out is Auzentechs own signal set. Not compatible with existing Creative Labs drive bays. The Prelude does contain a normal Front Audio header for cases that have these connections. Auzen may have plans to make their own devices, the options are certainly there. The X-Tension DIN board is compatible with the Prelude. The HDMI 1.3 board is said to be coming very soon. Hope this Helps

[Bigchrome]

Auzentech X-Fi Prelude





You should be purchasing this card

1) if you have a nice set of speakers (like the Logitech Z5500s) and you frequently turn them up for good listening sessions or movie watching,
or if you connect your PC to a receiver/amplifier with good quality speakers.


I hope you enjoyed my review of the Auzentech X-Fi Prelude, if you have any questions please dont hesitate to ask! I will do my best to answer them.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

Z5500s=not good speakers.

[christopher3393]

Would someone please post the physical dimensions of this card? I can't find them anywhere online. Thx.

And thanks for review and great closeup pics!

[psik0.k1m]

Z5500s=not good speakers.

Pretty positive comment that adds to the value of the thread bigchrome !!!! Nice!



I think those speakers are just fine for a 5:1 setup !! They sound great.. not everyone has like 500-1,000 dollars to spend on 7:1 top of the line stuff..

This prelude looks to be a pretty awesome card. Def excited to see where sound goes with vista and all the soon to be compatibility(Hopefully !!)

[psik0.k1m]

Would someone please post the physical dimensions of this card? I can't find them anywhere online. Thx.

And thanks for review and great closeup pics!

Hey maybe you can use this pic, and take the lenght of the pci connections to kinda make a scale and covert it for your self based off this image ?

Just an idea

Thats exactly how i did the measurements when i dremeld my antec900 case, just use something in the pic that you know for sure the length of(this case, the pci connectors) And then kinda go from there ! Maybe it wont be to the exact CM or MM but it will be darn close enough to figure out if your clearance issues will remain just that, issues!

[JAG87]

Z5500s=not good speakers.

ok, good PC speakers. you happy now?

christ...

[RubberDuck]

Thx for the Review I have been on the watch for that card for a while. Sounds like a kick ass gaming card

[JargonGR]

Well I bought this card and replaced my Audigy 2ZS Platinum Pro EX and although I was not expecting much I have to say that the difference is noticeable both in games and MP3 playing.

The speakers I use are the Gigaworks 7.1 from Creative and ESPECIALLY when I play loud the difference is much bigger.

Now I also own the X-Meridian but this is hooked to my central entertainment system and the speakers there cost 4000 dollars and ofc there is no comparison between the two when playing music. However, it is unfair to compare them like that so when I have time I will hook up the Prelude to my HTPC and do a direct comparison between the two.

Also both cards run on stock opamps but I plan on replacing the X-meridian ones with whatever is best and available.

In my opinion the Prelude is perfect for a gaming PC but as it stands right now I prefer the X-meridian in my HTPC because Prologic II and DD Live and DTS connect are so nice with music. Finally the Prelude does not support 7.1 192Khz/24bit that the X-meridian has for it although I have no material of this quality to test it yet.

Regarding the drivers I am 100% satisfied and have zero problems. I finally got rid of the crackling of my Audigy and that was one of the reasons I got pissed and bought another sound card.

[mondocool]

When I had this sound card it sounded worse than my audigy 2 zs and no matter what I did it wouldn't produce 5.1... a defect maybe? incompatibility with my horrible 680i board maybe

[pRS317]

When I had this sound card it sounded worse than my audigy 2 zs and no matter what I did it wouldn't produce 5.1... a defect maybe? incompatibility with my horrible 680i board maybe

okay, i was almost sold on this card...anyone else have this issue?

[disruptfam]

i got my prelude with my audio technica ad900's awesome combo!!!

[smsmasters]

Is it worth getting this from a x-fi xtrememusic sound card?

[disruptfam]

if u have the cash yes....