Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Computer Audio › Hotrodding the X-Fi: A Layman's Guide (No 56k)
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Hotrodding the X-Fi: A Layman's Guide (No 56k) - Page 8

post #106 of 2169
3/19/07 at 7:35am
quick question:

is this one hotrod-able? it's the xtremegamer.

http://www.buy.com/prod/creative-lab...203138686.html

just want to make sure before i get one and figure out it's one of the new low-end x-fi's that are basically the high end audigy 2's.
Reply

Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #107 of 2169
3/19/07 at 8:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soymilk View Post
quick question:

is this one hotrod-able? it's the xtremegamer.

http://www.buy.com/prod/creative-lab...203138686.html

just want to make sure before i get one and figure out it's one of the new low-end x-fi's that are basically the high end audigy 2's.
From the looks of it, I believe that they are the same. the only difference is that

the extreme gamer does not have a connection to the front panel

that's probably where the reduction of price came from
Reply
post #108 of 2169
3/19/07 at 1:11pm
Just finished the mod.I just changed opamp and cap to blackgate for now.Might try other mods later on.

No pops or crackles on start up.

Initial first,short listen as haven't got time at the mo but sounds like much more zip and sparkle to the music, tighter bass and bigger sound stage.Will do some more listening later when have some more time time but I'm no golden ear mind.

Well worth doing.

Thanks!! cotdt its much appreciated.
Reply
post #109 of 2169
3/19/07 at 1:28pm
just for those wanting samples... $20 postage to the UK! so im gonna pic up the opamp in the UK, it will be far cheaper!

I will also replace the caps you are on about, i would rather play safe. Hope to have this mod done in 2 weeks or so, part dependant of course
Reply
post #110 of 2169
3/19/07 at 1:48pm
any more opinions? the xtremegamer in question is a smaller card than the xtrememusic; it's the size of the xtremeaudio. does anyone know for sure if it has the x-fi audio processor or not? i don't think that the lack of a connector to the front panel is enough for that much of a size difference for the pcb
Reply
post #111 of 2169
3/19/07 at 1:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soymilk View Post
any more opinions? the xtremegamer in question is a smaller card than the xtrememusic; it's the size of the xtremeaudio. does anyone know for sure if it has the x-fi audio processor or not? i don't think that the lack of a connector to the front panel is enough for that much of a size difference for the pcb
lol... no, it doesn't have the x-fi processor... but it's got the x-fi name!

yes, it has an x-fi sound processor. It's got all the critical parts of the x-fi cards including X-RAM
Reply
post #112 of 2169
3/19/07 at 3:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichyRich View Post
Just finished the mod.I just changed opamp and cap to blackgate for now.Might try other mods later on.

No pops or crackles on start up.

Initial first,short listen as haven't got time at the mo but sounds like much more zip and sparkle to the music, tighter bass and bigger sound stage.Will do some more listening later when have some more time time but I'm no golden ear mind.

Well worth doing.

Thanks!! cotdt its much appreciated.
Congrats! You are a brave man and now your name goes in the hall of fame! Enjoy your unique sound card.
Reply
post #113 of 2169
3/19/07 at 4:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ]|[ GorE View Post
Those capacitors dont block DC ! They are connected to the +5 and -5V lines and are meant as current reservoirs. The reason there are 4 for each opamp is to keep the capacitors impedance low . I would add a higher valued cap in parallel to the existing caps,not short them.

And,instead of doing such a hokey mod,i would look up the datasheets of the dac and add the capacitors Creative has left out.
I put a DVM on these caps and I am reading 2.45 volts DC. It seems best not to short them, right?

- Rich
Reply
post #114 of 2169
3/19/07 at 4:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by soloz2 View Post
lol... no, it doesn't have the x-fi processor... but it's got the x-fi name!

yes, it has an x-fi sound processor. It's got all the critical parts of the x-fi cards including X-RAM
wait... what? are you poking at my question? cuz if you didn't know, the x-fi xtreme audio has the x-fi name, but doesn't actually have the x-fi processor. just wanted to check if the x-fi xtreme gamer had it or not too, since it can be had for pretty cheap right now.
Reply
post #115 of 2169
3/19/07 at 4:50pm
well I was poking fun of your question, but yes it does have the x-fi sound processor



I plan to do this mod... just want to wait a bit and make sure everything is all figured out
Reply
post #116 of 2169
3/19/07 at 8:22pm
OK- got my samples in from nat. semi


Swapped it in to my elite pro
...


OMG


....


A completely refined, organic sound. Nothing I've ever even heard before. Listened to some favorite recordings- heard things I never did before. Rachmaninoff piano concerto no. 2 with Van Cliburn and the CSO- WOW


i dont' think words can describe the difference really. All I can say is everyone go out and buy this card right now:

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Sound...4346422&sr=8-1

$199 after rebate

I haven't heard this mod on the lower models, but this AKM dac is really shining now. That old JRC wasn't doing it justice.

And I haven't even gotten to the blackgates or ERS yet
Reply
post #117 of 2169
3/20/07 at 12:00am
I'm getting 3 op amp samples and only plan on replacing one.,.. so if anyone is interested....
Reply
post #118 of 2169
3/20/07 at 12:28am
If you could be so kind to spare a free sample, I'd be delighted. If not, can you possibly link me to the exact page to order the LM4562 SOIC Sample? I found a page, but it has slightly different product listed.
Reply
post #119 of 2169
3/20/07 at 12:35am
Nvm, I found the sample page, I must be blind LOL. I miss my soldering days soo much, I can't wait to get my hands on this puppy.
Reply
post #120 of 2169
3/20/07 at 12:46am
Anyone know how much the shipping is for these samples?
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Computer Audio

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Computer Audio › Hotrodding the X-Fi: A Layman's Guide (No 56k)