Hotrodding the X-Fi: A Layman's Guide (No 56k) - Page 10

Before

Testing chain: External loopback (line-out - line-in)
Sampling mode: 24-bit, 96 kHz

Summary
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: +0.01, -0.09Excellent
Noise level, dB (A): -112.8Excellent
Dynamic range, dB (A): 112.5Excellent
THD, %: 0.0006Excellent
IMD + Noise, %: 0.0012Excellent
Stereo crosstalk, dB: -110.5Excellent
IMD at 10 kHz, %: 0.0012Excellent

General performance: Excellent

After mod, change opamp, ERS paper, new capacitor

Testing chain: External loopback (line-out - line-in)
Sampling mode: 24-bit, 96 kHz

Summary
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: +0.01, -0.09Excellent
Noise level, dB (A): -113.1Excellent
Dynamic range, dB (A): 112.9Excellent
THD, %: 0.0006Excellent
IMD + Noise, %: 0.0011Excellent
Stereo crosstalk, dB: -110.9Excellent
IMD at 10 kHz, %: 0.0012Excellent

General performance: Excellent

very slight differences in spec, what about you opinion on audible?

Maybe this is the limit of the x-fi recording capabilities ?

I think that they (National) have increased the price due to high demand. I got the order confirmation March 13, and payed $9 for 3 samples and delivery to Sweden.

hmm- what card was it that you took those specs? Did you change the recording op-amp as well, or just the output opamp?

I'm going to mod mine. But going easy - just changing the opamps for the LM4562 and nothing else. It's my first time at soldering, but I'm up for the challenge. Just 2 questions for you experts:

1. Does anyone know where to get the LM4562 in the UK?
2. Is the conclusion that we don't short the 22uF caps now?

Cheers.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...9&postcount=89

i asked almost the same quesion. although, i dont know if the same advice still applies?

1.

Opamp:
http://catalog.digikey.com/scripts/p...me=LM4562MA-ND

Power Filter Capactor:
http://www.hificollective.co.uk/comp...dard_type.html

2.

I think so

Thanks a lot Gilly! I had thought Digikey was a US site, but just saw a UK section. That really helped.

A little more info about caps roles:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&#post10070526

Cap modding for an Elite pro (sadly in japanese, but the pics may help):

http://www.geocities.jp/tag627/X-Fi.html

I just modded the output opamp. I did not touch the input stage. Perhaps that is a source of distinct limitations.

The card is an elite pro. All parameters were that same (bit perfect, with all audio "enhancements" off, and volume at 90%).

I have listened to the card, before and after. The biggest changes for me was to plug my headphones directly into the card itself and not into the breakout box. Large difference between breakout box and direct out from sound card.

[rant]

This is a nice card. I have not heard the uber expensive DAC or DAC / Amp combos, but I like the sound. I like the music it makes.

Perhaps this is due to the eilte pro's inherent quality to begin with? I think Creative has made a very very good product here. I do not think it is a trade off any more between gaming and audio fidelity (at least with Windows XP). From my perspective, get the elite pro and then use it with all bells and whistles for gaming and switch to audio creation mode for the audio fidelity.

I keep wondering about all the questions here at headfi on what DAC or Amp to upgrade to (assuming upgrading from Xfi). I think this is a great card. Creative has made bad first impressions with a lot of the sound blaster line, but the elite pro is something else.

[/rant]

I have to admit my own personal limitations. If the modded card and the stock card were to be A/B tested, I may (low probability) be able to tell the difference. Not being able to A/B test, I can not make a statement that it is that different. That is a personal limitation.

While I was making the mod I fired up the integrated audio on the Bad Axe 2. It is the Intel HD audio. Now that was a huge difference from the modded elite pro and the integrated audio! My lord, I was modding as fast as I could to get away from that!

i agree, onboard is pants without an external dac etc.

and tbh, your elite pro comes with some by all acounts amazing DAC's anyway. i think that you were "spoilt" with good quality before :P