Got my Prelude....First Impressions! :)

[Miwo]

Sounds promising I must say Have you had the time to do the torturetest yet? As I said, I'm very excited - if the prelude is crackling-free I'll say goodbye to creative forever, no more headaches and gray hairs...

I just played a round on a 50 player server on Camp Gibraltar. My settings were ingame sounds 100%, X-Fi, Ultra Quality, EAX on, and Master Volume 50%. I think my ears are still ringing from explosions and artillery, but I am happy to say that I didn't hear any crackling or distortion. Pretty sure my XtremeMusic was a mess in BF2142 and I had to lower the Master volume to 30% to get it crackle free.

I think Donnie summarized the whole Snap Crackle Pop issue in the other thread.

Most of the folks (certainly not all) have a common problem. Certain nVidia Chipsets. Many of these have to do with slower than standard PCI BUS/slots that have slower response times than what Creative recommends.
Other problematic circumstances.
Over burdened Power Supplies
SLI and even SLI + PPU.
Extreme Overclocking.
nVidia Chipsets.
Out of date BIOS on any chipset.
Poorly setup BIOS.
Chipset/BIOS that only provide FAKE PCI Steering and Sharing. FOr the record, mine is sharing and working perfectly right now.

X-Fi can be a Bad pick for some users.

What is snap crackle pop SCP, When data is missing, the missing data is represented as a S or C or a P. The X-FI is a BUS mastering card and needs its data at a very fast rate and with low latency. If this doesn't happen you get SCP. (NOT THE ONLY REASON)

I saw this first hand. My 939 Asus A8N (16) SLI works perfectly with X-FI though I had to use two different BIOS flashes to get it working. It worked without a BIOS flash on my Gigabyte DS3. I tested a Asus A8N 32 SLI and Bang, SCP but only intermediately or sometimes. Added Second video card and it got much worse. What I saw was a very mixed bag of results with some folks' system working and others screwed to hell and back.

I also noticed that X-Fi in any form loves 100% solid state boards. So with that nice rig you have, X-Fi problems are NOT worth it at all. It hasn't been long enough for you to not be given a RMA. Send that sucker back and get one of the CMedia based Cards. These will do very little on card processing don't rely on super fast response times. So, NO SCP with them.

So while I may not experience any SCPs, I can in no way say that nobody will have this problem. My advice to you before buying the Prelude would be to try some of these workarounds, disconnect any unneeded USB devices, etc and see if you can get your X-Fi snap crackle pop free before spending $200 on a sound card.

[Donnie27]

I just played a round on a 50 player server on Camp Gibraltar. My settings were ingame sounds 100%, X-Fi, Ultra Quality, EAX on, and Master Volume 50%. I think my ears are still ringing from explosions and artillery, but I am happy to say that I didn't hear any crackling or distortion. Pretty sure my XtremeMusic was a mess in BF2142 and I had to lower the Master volume to 30% to get it crackle free.

I think Donnie summarized the whole Snap Crackle Pop issue in the other thread.

So while I may not experience any SCPs, I can in no way say that nobody will have this problem. My advice to you before buying the Prelude would be to try some of these workarounds, disconnect any unneeded USB devices, etc and see if you can get your X-Fi snap crackle pop free before spending $200 on a sound card.

If I helped one person I feel I didn't waste my time. I'm starting to get E-Mails that the better hardware on the Prelude is helping. Hey Creative are you listening?

When X-Fi has been boarder line with users getting SCP some times or intermediately they didn't get any at all with Prelude, this is a good thing. The other guy on the other thread found out his problem was his Web Cam with MIC built-in. Also, Thank you!

The worse case of SCP I saw had the user hearing it with any sound. This included the Windows start up sound.

[Miwo]

If I helped one person I feel I didn't waste my time. I'm starting to get E-Mails that the better hardware on the Prelude is helping. Hey Creative are you listening?

When X-Fi has been board line with users getting SCP some times or intermediately they didn't get any at all with Prelude, this is a good thing. The other guy on the other thread found out his problem was his Web Cam with MIC built-in. Also, Thank you!

The worse case of SCP I saw had the user hearing it with any sound. This included the Windows start up sound.

In my case, I can honestly say that it was the Prelude that solved my problems. If I had my master volume set even at 50% on the XtremeMusic, I would get crackling in any sound including windows sounds . I've tried updating drivers, reinstalling drivers, removing components, changing PCI Latency, overclocking PCI bus......everything I did would not solve this issue. My only workaround that I figured that help me was lowering my Wav volume to 50%, and Master Volume to about 35% on my XtremeMusic. I've kept the same exact configuration while switching to Prelude and I am completely SCP free.

A big YMMV on the whole issue. They say that Creatives manufacturing varies so much on the components they use (while keeping the X-Fi chip the same) and I don't doubt it. I am just glad I am running crackle free while enjoying all the audio improvements the Prelude has

[Donnie27]

In my case, I can honestly say that it was the Prelude that solved my problems. If I had my master volume set even at 50% on the XtremeMusic, I would get crackling in any sound including windows sounds . I've tried updating drivers, reinstalling drivers, removing components, changing PCI Latency, overclocking PCI bus......everything I did would not solve this issue. My only workaround that I figured that help me was lowering my Wav volume to 50%, and Master Volume to about 35% on my XtremeMusic. I've kept the same exact configuration while switching to Prelude and I am completely SCP free.

A big YMMV on the whole issue. They say that Creatives manufacturing varies so much on the components they use (while keeping the X-Fi chip the same) and I don't doubt it. I am just glad I am running crackle free while enjoying all the audio improvements the Prelude has

Oh, I got that from what you posted and agreed, that's one of the reasons why I wrote Creative are you listening? Other than that I say QFT!

All I've read is; "WOW I love this card" and etc........All 95% good reports. Make no mistake, better Hardware on Prelude DOES make a difference!!!! Manufacturing? Mine must have been made on a Good day. SCP on one board of all of mine tested including;

Willy 1.7GHz system with a Gigabyte i850 = No SCP
AthlonXP 2200+ HP OEM, No SCP after getting a slightly bigger PSU.
2.6C - ABit i875 = no SCP but Background noise on the X-Fi and Audigy 2ZS
Asus A8N 939 SLI (16X) = NO SCP and 32X version was noisy as hell.
No Problems on my current i965 in my sig.

many of my buds have very similar results.

[Donnie27]

A bud showed me something Stormy (from Guru3D forums) posted caught my eye. He's looking at the differences in Drivers for the Prelude. They're shipping with less DRM than Creative's, NICE!

http://forums.guru3d.com/showpost.ph...8&postcount=55

You MUST use Auzentech Drivers. This is NOT a Creative X-fi.

.

Want a bet? I have the Prelude drivers right here in front of me (thanks DoctorO). They have removed all device ids for the Creative X-Fi (as well as the Audigy ids), but they did not remove a lot of the other Audigy/X-Fi specific lines. Actually as far as that goes the INF from the last X-Fi Vista driver is 189kb and the INF from the Prelude package is only 50kb (makes you wonder how many X-Fi features are missing at the driver level between the two).

Just spent a half hour playing around with the INF's for both, but going to take a bit more time to see if I can get it right so that the Prelude drivers will install. May also involve uninstalling my current drivers as the drivers that came with the Prelude were done on March 5, and the drivers I currently have installed are dated May 10. Just for fun here is the first few lines from the Prelude drivers INF,

See the rest at the Link?

Here's the meaty part after correcting Rob again.

Yes...we all know you can hack this and that, Stormy that is NOT the point. If you want to instal this driver on that card go ahead..etc. The point was if the average user doesn't use the drives on the disk the driver on the X-fi site will NOT work without some modifying.

haha, never argue with a Hacker LOL!

Actually Rob from what I can see looking at the files and the INF's, if you have the Prelude you don't want the "real" X-Fi drivers. It looks like the Prelude drivers only have about half the DRM crap that comes with the X-Fi drivers (more than likely due to the as yet missing Dobly/DTS/etc support).

So look for guys like this to finish hacking these drivers so maybe X-Fi can be ran without some if not most of its DRM crap! Looks like maybe a back door to break the 2 Channel PCM stuff.

[ROBSCIX]

Auzen has released a Driver patch for the 4GB guys.
ALchemy 1.3.0.0 is the current compatible version for the Prelude you can find them both here : Driver updates

[Donnie27]

In my case, I can honestly say that it was the Prelude that solved my problems. If I had my master volume set even at 50% on the XtremeMusic, I would get crackling in any sound including windows sounds . I've tried updating drivers, reinstalling drivers, removing components, changing PCI Latency, overclocking PCI bus......everything I did would not solve this issue. My only workaround that I figured that help me was lowering my Wav volume to 50%, and Master Volume to about 35% on my XtremeMusic. I've kept the same exact configuration while switching to Prelude and I am completely SCP free.

A big YMMV on the whole issue. They say that Creatives manufacturing varies so much on the components they use (while keeping the X-Fi chip the same) and I don't doubt it. I am just glad I am running crackle free while enjoying all the audio improvements the Prelude has

Well got my Harmon Kardon and now my Surround Sound is not working POS thin Lian Li 7B motherboard tray let the card shift one time too many. It worked and the card shifted while was changing connections. Now my X-Fi is messed up.

[Donnie27]

Well, it doesn't look like it did any damage to the Receiver. I installed the Real Tech Crap just to make sure it was the card and sure enough it worked though the rear left seems a little muffled. Man this sucks! I'm not getting a new card until I ditch this POS case.

[Sparrows78]

Oh, I got that from what you posted and agreed, that's one of the reasons why I wrote Creative are you listening? Other than that I say QFT!

All I've read is; "WOW I love this card" and etc........All 95% food reports. Make no mistake, better Hardware on Prelude DOES make a difference!!!! Manufacturing? Mine must have been made on a Good day. SCP on one board of all of mine tested including;

Willy 1.7GHz system with a Gigabyte i850 = No SCP
AthlonXP 2200+ HP OEM, No SCP after getting a slightly bigger PSU.
2.6C - ABit i875 = no SCP but Background noise on the X-Fi and Audigy 2ZS
Asus A8N 939 SLI (16X) = NO SCP and 32X version was noisy as hell.
No Problems on my current i965 in my sig.

many of my buds have very similar results.

Thanks for all good info! But I'm not convinced yet - are you saying that you've GOT crackling with the prelude on one tested motherboard? In that case its NOT crackle-free... I'm soo close to try one out myself, but becouse of my extremely bad experience of previous Creative X-fi's, I still hesitates...

[Donnie27]

Thanks for all good info! But I'm not convinced yet - are you saying that you've GOT crackling with the prelude on one tested motherboard? In that case its NOT crackle-free... I'm soo close to try one out myself, but becouse of my extremely bad experience of previous Creative X-fi's, I still hesitates...

I should have been clearer. That's easily my bad. I only tested the X-FI Platinum (upgraded Xtreme Music with I/O Drive) not the Prelude. I see the X-Fi Prelude 7.1 as simply a NICELY Modified X-FI. That's complete with X-Fi Drivers and X-Fi software. The better hardware on the Prelude is making a difference.

I'm SHOCKED Neither Creative or Auzen hasn't hired the YouP_Pax guys or etc.. I'm supposed to be the Creative Fanboy and even I've complained about the Fat Bloated software and heavy-handed drivers. What got me flamed though is me saying that eventhough they're bloated, mine (software and hardware drivers) worked.

[Donnie27]

WOO WHOOO, thank God and my problem was solved. Too much weight from the heavy duty RCA cables for my Analog Connection was the culprit. The surround sound junction box had was slightly loose. Add to this the paper thin Motherboard tray offered no help. After a little quick maintenance the card is now working again. I anchored the RCA cable to the desk to take the weight off the I/O on the card. Sound tests works perfectly.

First order of business is to dump this POC (piece of crap) Cheap Case.

[mitra-]

Is Prelude really worth it?

I'm going to buy a sound card to use with Sennheiser headphones and maybe with Logitech Z-2300 2.1 speakers. Is Prelude the best choice for me?

Or should I go for a cheaper solution like Creative XtremeGamer?

Thank you all!

[ROBSCIX]

Depends on how much you appreciate sound quality. You can buy a cheap low end X-Fi X-Music or others for around $70 these days. Will give you sound but not very high quality. You get what you pay for. I know many guys who tossed Creative X-fi for the Prelude and never looked back. The sound quality is amazing. Talk to people who own the Prelude.

[mitra-]

Depends on how much you appreciate sound quality. You can buy a cheap low end X-Fi X-Music or others for around $70 these days. Will give you sound but not very high quality. You get what you pay for. I know many guys who tossed Creative X-fi for the Prelude and never looked back. The sound quality is amazing. Talk to people who own the Prelude.

I want good sound quality. I'm still using onboard sound, so I want a gread sound card.
I want to read some comments to see how much better is Prelude, and if the 75€ difference is worth it.

And don't forget that I will use stereo headphones (Sennheiser) and 2.1 speakers (maybe Logitech Z-2300).

[Donnie27]

I want good sound quality. I'm still using onboard sound, so I want a gread sound card.
I want to read some comments to see how much better is Prelude, and if the 75€ difference is worth it.

And don't forget that I will use stereo headphones (Sennheiser) and 2.1 speakers (maybe Logitech Z-2300).

It might be over kill for those speakers.

www.elitebastards.com

That irritation aside, the X-Fi Prelude undoubtedly stands a cut above other boards such as the X-Meridian when it comes to gaming, thanks to its full support for the latest version of Creative's EAX standards. I know that EAX isn't everyone's cup of tea, but if it's your thing (and I've always been reasonably impressed by it in titles that have used it well personally), then the X-Fi Prelude does a predictably superb job of handling it, as per Creative Labs' own X-Fi boards.

The meat of the review is on Page #3. I've heard X-Meridian on a very nice rig, it sound great. But saying the X-Fi sounds bad is BS IMHO. That's like saying since the C2D is faster than the AMD-X2, the X2 is slow.

[mitra-]

It might be over kill for those speakers.

www.elitebastards.com

Why? Because they are 2.1 or because the speakers are no good?
So, should I go for a X-Fi XtremeGamer (cheaper) instead?

[Donnie27]

Why? Because they are 2.1 or because the speakers are no good?
So, should I go for a X-Fi XtremeGamer (cheaper) instead?

Might be worth it with your cans but the speakers are too low quality to make a differnce. Yes, stick with a cheaper X-Gamer. I like 2.0 as well but stuff like the Swan M200 and Klipsch 2.1. I'd easily stick with a Receiver and Large Speakers (by large I mean bigger than computer multimedia)

[Rilla927]

Hi all,

I see a lot of great reviews for this card. That's great!

I have a Klipsch Pro Media Ultra 5.1 and I have looking at the Prelude. Would I have to buy a receiver in order to use this card with my set-up? Sorry, but I don't know much about this stuff. All I know is I love to listen to my music. Currently I have a Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2ZS Platinum Pro.

[Soulburner]

No you don't. It plugs in the same way.

[mitra-]

Might be worth it with your cans but the speakers are too low quality to make a differnce. Yes, stick with a cheaper X-Gamer. I like 2.0 as well but stuff like the Swan M200 and Klipsch 2.1. I'd easily stick with a Receiver and Large Speakers (by large I mean bigger than computer multimedia)

Are Logitech Z-2300 so bad?
I've been reading some comments about them and some people say they are better than Klipsch ProMedia 2.1, some say they are worse, some say that they are the same thing... I really don't know what to believe now.

I would like to buy the Auzentech Prelude, but if I would not take full advantage of it with my headphones or future speakers, I don't know if is worth it.

What 2.1 speakers do you recommend to use with this sound card? In my country I can find mainly Logitech and Creative speakers. There are one or two Klipsch speakers, but they are very expensive
Z-2300 costs about 145€ and KLIPSCH PROMEDIA GMX 2.1 234€

My headphones are Sennheiser HD202. They were cheap, so maybe Prelude is over kill for them too.


PS: Do you know anything about the new Razer Mako 2.1 THX speakers?
http://www.razerzone.com/index.php?m...products_id=50

[ROBSCIX]

You can always upgrade your speaker or headphones later. Your still gonna notice a big difference in sound quality. You can buy a cheap low end X-Music or similar cards but you won't get the best sound quality available. If you do decide to upgrade your cans or speakers you will still be stuck with the sound quality of the low end card. Grab the Prelude and you have options to upgrade your audio system. This is something you need to figure out and decide what you need more.

[Rilla927]

@Soulburner
Thanks for the reply.

I can't seem to get this card, everyone is out of stock. If anyone knows of a place in the U.S.A please let me know.



Thanks

[Soulburner]

It is out of stock right now. Mine will be shipped from NCIXUS as soon as stock arrives, which has an ETA of October.

[Miwo]

doh!

Didn't think that they would fly off the shelves that fast!

[Donnie27]

Are Logitech Z-2300 so bad?
I've been reading some comments about them and some people say they are better than Klipsch ProMedia 2.1, some say they are worse, some say that they are the same thing... I really don't know what to believe now.

I would like to buy the Auzentech Prelude, but if I would not take full advantage of it with my headphones or future speakers, I don't know if is worth it.

What 2.1 speakers do you recommend to use with this sound card? In my country I can find mainly Logitech and Creative speakers. There are one or two Klipsch speakers, but they are very expensive
Z-2300 costs about 145€ and KLIPSCH PROMEDIA GMX 2.1 234€

My headphones are Sennheiser HD202. They were cheap, so maybe Prelude is over kill for them too.


PS: Do you know anything about the new Razer Mako 2.1 THX speakers?
http://www.razerzone.com/index.php?m...products_id=50

First I'm not trying to help sell sound cards. Those speakers aren't going to help whatever sound card you get=P I'm sorry I can't tell you to spend about $200 on a Sound card with those speaker=P They have a lot of bass for their size but missing mid-bass and low mid-range. I at least like the tweeters on the Klipsch and the Swans has a lot of that middle that these are missing. Lastly, I'd a $99 pair Sennheisser 280's over them and I'm not a Headfi guy. I think RAP guys would love the 2300's though.