Auzentech HTHD 7.1 thread

Edited from another post

Auzentech HTHD Headphone Out Impressions

The headphone out of the Auzentech HTHD is seriously nice. As an aside, it appears that the circuit for the Forte is similar based on photos of the PCBs on the website. I picked up this card because I couldn't find the Forte in stock at any local shops and didn't want to go mail order in case I didn't like it.

With the stock op-amp in place - some very quick impressions (zero burn-in on card using half-way burned in Grado GS1000i's):
Sound is nicely balanced - maybe very slightly tilted toward dark - good match for GS1000i's (although my pair are still breaking in - trying to hit 200 hours!)
Good strong bass - well controlled. Decent extension down low, but not the ultimate.
Good dynamics. Decent bite.
Moderately fast, but would like faster.
Decay lingers a bit too long.
Congested when things get busy.
Slightly rolled-off in the treble. Delicate highs though. No hint of glare at all. Just the perfect amount of sibilance that are expected from the GS1000i.
Very warm (maybe too much?).
Laid back - could be a tiny tiny bit more more aggressive.
Not the most transparent.
Sound/noise floor not black - light grey.
Lacks the ultimate in refinement.
Nice openness.
Loses composure when pushed loud (but I don't listen loud that much anyways)
Musical. Yes!

Everything above is relative. Best thing would be a detailed comparison to other DAC/Amp combos within reasonable range. For example, it would be nonsense to compare this sound card headphone out to my work desk rig which has been heavily customized and tweaked over time to my likings. But perhaps a detailed comparison to my headroom portable micro dac/amp might be appropriate. If anyone would be interested please let me know.

If there are two words that would sum up it up (the headphone out of the Aurentech HTHD): Credible / Competent

Going to pop the stock op-amp on the HTHD and try OPA2132 now.

I popped in a spare OPA2132 and guess what? The headphone outs now sound very similar to an an old OPA2132 based CMOY/A47 (with a custom 24V power supply) that I used for a while. The HTHD does have quite a bit more heft to it, I'm guessing from it's discrete output buffer. This is a good sign - indicates that the buffer stage is at least transparent and doesn't put too much of it's own signature on the sound.

The only downside for this card is that it's inside a noisy PC environment and we can't exactly change the power supply - we could never expect a black black background or sound floor. But never-the-less, this card has some serious potential.

Now all you folks of bad influence on head-fi have starting me thinking about putting in some seriously expensive op-amps. I've exceeded by budget for the month though.

I'm really interested to hear how this card stacks up against the Forte and the ASUS Essence STX in a gaming environment. I'm circling the decision like a vulture at the moment, waiting to pull the trigger on something that will best compliment my incoming Denon AH-D2000's.

I would really like to know how much of an improvement in sound you hear plugging the HR Micro amp into the HTHD and running your headphones out of the Micro amp (without the Micro DAC in the equation), over directly plugging your headphones into the headphone out of the HTHD.

I currently have a pair of D5000s and the HTHD and I'm debating whether or not to pick up the Micro amp (can't spring for the DAC as well right now) to accompany it. I only want to buy it if it provides a decent improvement over directly plugging the cans into the headphone out of the HTHD.

Would really appreciate that comparison if you've got some time on your hands.

The HTHD and Forte are essentially the same card hardware-wise, the HTHD just has home theater/HDMI support, and (as far as I know) the HTHD does not have the same issue that some Forte cards have been having, where the GPU causes a buzzing noise to be heard through your headphones/speakers.

Thanks for the info!

Can anyone tell me (purrin?) the dimensions of the HTHD? I have two exposed PCI-e slots on my mobo (not including the one hiding under my BFG 285 GTX). One is nestled nice and tight against the underside of the vid card, the other is above, just south of the southbridge. Naturally, I'd prefer to seat the HTHD in the slot above the video card, but there's a chance the card will be too long and nudge up against the RAM. I can't seem to find any specs listing the physical length of the card.

I can pretty much guarantee it's shorter than the 285 GTX.

Everything is shorter than the 285. But I'm more curious to know if it'll fit in the top PCI-e slot without bumping up against the RAM banks.

If it's as long as my XtremeGamer then it won't fit in the top PCI-e slot. It would definitely come into contact with the RAM. I guess it'll be cozy with the GFX card. Any of the PCI-e cards would be ... maybe the smaller form factor Forte would nestle in there, I dunno.