My experience with the X-Fi Elite Pro vs. EMU0404/A2ZS after 1.5 months

[skyline889]

How do you think this card would compare to the 2ZS platinum pro? I was considering buying a DAC for my pp but maybe this would be a better option?

[Svperstar]

Originally Posted by Sithuk

I was considering an X-Fi to be able to output a 44.1k digital stream but seeing as you can't tell the difference I'm guessing the 48k digital stream of the Audigy2ZS should be fine?

Well it sounds much much better than the Audigy 2 ZS, and part of the reason is the resampling from 44 to 48 is much better then the resampling algorithm on the audigy 2 side. Now if you are using a software resampler I don't know if it would be worth it to you or not.

[Svperstar]

Originally Posted by Skrying

I enjoy my X-Fi Xtreme Music an extreme amount. Much better sounding than my old Audigy 2 ZS. If my understanding is correct there is no sound difference between the XM and the Elite Pro?

There are better DACs on the Elite Pro and components, higher SNR, lower noise floor and such. They are the same basic card though.

[jim580]

Svperstar,
I'm pretty new at this, but I listen to my 580's with the standard x-fi which has the same music ability. I just didn't need the extra's.
Under ent. mode, the default settings with the base and treble knobs are at 50%. TURN them both to 0%. With them on the bass on the 580's is way overwhelming. I like as true a reproduction as I can get, and this adjustment REALLY makes a difference.
Also under the THX adjustment try changing to 96 instead of 48. But I'm not really sure what this does.
Use your headphones under ent. mode with EVERYTHING shut down but the headphone setting and a little eq. if you so prefer. This also makes a huge difference.
If I listen with the gaming mode(my wife and I get pretty involved in Civ. IV hotseat games), the 580's suck for music reproduction.
I hopes this helps you some.
Please let me know.
Jim

[Skrying]

One thing I have to note using the CMSS3D-Headphone feature in gaming mode.

I've found it actually hurts your ability in BF2, but is a great help in CS:S. Interesting to me, I've had it off as my clan is finally making the big shift from CS:S to BF2 next CAL-I season.

[JazZy]

I've been thinking about an audio overhaul (new soundcard, headphones, my first DAC and amp), and your review is what I was looking for. At first I was debating whether to go with a X-Fi xtreme + ~250 (maybe up to $350) for DAC AND amp vs X-Fi elite only, but then I noticed you said you get distortion from your old Audigy2 + DAC combo? Does that mean DACs and Soundblaster cards aren't viable? Otherwise why not get the xtreme since you already have a DAC and a good amp?

On a somewhat related note, from what I understand you can get all the EAX / CMSS / etc. if you connect the DAC via digital out from the X-Fi, but not if you use USB right? And does a mini-mini cable work for a digital connection (thinking about MicroDAC here), or would that be inferior to a toslink-mini / coax-mini?

I'm kind of the same boat you're in; 60% gaming, 40% music. It's just that when it comes time for music, I want that to be good too (especially those stringed instruments!)

[zeth]

*trying to draw attention*

Originally Posted by zeth

i have absolutely no knowledge about headphone amps. i was only able to listen to a Perreaux SXH2, combined with my 650's, and the sound was LOVELY (ye i know this description is neither accurate nor professional ).
so i was wondering what amp would be "worth the money" as an addition to my current equipment - one that would give me a real improvement in my listening experience.

another question: lets take the perreaux sxh2 for example - this amp only has stereo headphone jacks as output - what is the "cleanest" way to connect it to an X-Fi ? well the external box of the elite pro would have those jacks, but since the card itself has better DAC's...

@jazzy: i think it also depends alot on what headphones you're using/want to use...

[JaGWiRE]

I haven't read the thread yet, but i've been considering the x-fi plat or the one with the internal breakout box because I can't afford the top of the line one. I was told that the breakout box that goes in your 5.25 inch bay acts as an amp, comparable to one for $100-200, but this guy might had been full of it. I have an m-aduio rev 7.1, and can only hook my hd595's i'm getting this afternoon up to my logitech z-5500 speaker base, where as the x-fi would work out for me. If I buy this sound card, can I stall the gilmore or whatever amp for several months and still fully enjoy my headphones? I need coax too, so I need the platnium at minimum.

I heard that the x-fi has no linux support actually, so I am also looking at audigy 2 zs platnium, and audigy 4, any comments on those? Do they act as amps too? Sound good? ETC.. I don't game AT all, but do want linux support, and coax (for dvds).

[Svperstar]

Originally Posted by zeth

*trying to draw attention*

another question: lets take the perreaux sxh2 for example - this amp only has stereo headphone jacks as output - what is the "cleanest" way to connect it to an X-Fi ? well the external box of the elite pro would have those jacks, but since the card itself has better DAC's...

@jazzy: i think it also depends alot on what headphones you're using/want to use...

I am using a custom made mini to RCA adapter to hook the card up to my Gilmore Lite.

[JazZy]

zeth: ah ok, damn audio is complicated, can't there just be one good solution for everything I just decided to splurge on an A900

svperstar: just wondering, what DAC do you have? Oh, and was your elite pro box amp opinion influenced by the quality of your gilmore lite? Reason I ask is because I searched some older x-fi threads and some said the amp on the external box was at least cmoy quality (which is around $50 worth i guess?)