On either one of those cards you DO NOT need a receiver for full functionality.  The cards can do the decoding for the HDMI based audio standards such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS-MA...etc.  That is the main features for these cards as they give you compatiblity for these audio standards without the need of the receiver.
 
 
@Nameless, I had the GFX card running HDMI to a 1080P monitor and the HTHD 7.1 sending out analog to amplifiers.
No receiver was used for that test.  I cannot say for sure that you could use HDMI cables from both A and V but I can't see why you wouldn't be able to.  That being said an external receiver may require the vid signal for lock.
I just can't say for sure because I have not tested it myself.
 
Hope that helps.

Good stuff, Now it's decision time

Robscix, I just found the following on the Auzun site. Seems contrary to what you found when testing the product. What do you make of it?
 
http://www.auzentech.com/site/support/FAQ.php#hthd
 
Q: What are the recommended settings for audio through HDMI?
A: For High-Definition Audio playback, the Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater requires the following equipment and settings.
Equipment

1. HDMI 1.3 AV Receiver
2. Digital TV / Monitor (resolution at 720P or 1080P)
3. DVI / HDMI graphic card

Settings
 
- Set "Speakers" as default device with the following sequence:

In the System Tray, right-click the speaker icon > select playback device > Windows "Sound" pop-up appears > right-click the "Speakers" > Click "Set as default Device."

[ Image ]

Note: If another "Digital Audio (HDMI)" device is created in the Windows "Sound" panel by the video card, please disable the device. If both "Digital Audio (HDMI)" devices of sound card and video card are enabled, it may cause an error or the so-called "Blue
Screen of Death" (BSOD) issue.

Click to expand...

- "Encoder" tab, Go to the "Encoder" tab, Turn off the encoder.

[ Image ]

Click to expand...

- HDMI tab

• Enable the "Use hardware default"
• Enable "Play audio from Speakers through HDMI"
• Click "Auto Switch Speakers"
  
  [ Image ]
   
• You can see 8ch 24-bit/192kHz HDMI output displayed on the screen of the AV Receiver.
• Right-click the speaker icon at the system tray, select Playback device, Windows "Sound" pop-up, Right click the "Speakers" > Click "Speaker Configures" > Click "Test" > Check sound if it comes out from all speakers.
• HDMI Setting completed

Note:
If you uncheck "Use hardware default," you can select the HDMI Input option. Currently, the Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD support s "Rear HDMI In" only. The "Internal HDMI In" is for future equipment and is not available at this time.
If you select "Internal HDMI In" by mistake, please perform the following steps:

Click to expand...

1. Connect the TV HDMI In with the HDMI out of Video card directly to display the TV screen.
2. Go to the "HDMI" tab, Select "Rear HDMI In," and enable "Use hardware default."
3. Connect the HDMI-out of Video card back to the sound card

 
 
 
 
 

What is contrary?
I said you can use either a receiver or the card can do the decoding for you and send to analog output.
 

A: For High-Definition Audio playback, the Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater requires the following equipment and settings.
Equipment

1. HDMI 1.3 AV Receiver
2. Digital TV / Monitor (resolution at 720P or 1080P)
3. DVI / HDMI graphic card

 
This makes it sound like unless an AVI is part of the equasion you dont get Hi Def.
 
I have been emailing back and forth with Auzen to clarify this but I still dont have a straght answer yet.

Quote:

lioninstreet said:

A: For High-Definition Audio playback, the Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater requires the following equipment and settings.
Equipment

1. HDMI 1.3 AV Receiver
2. Digital TV / Monitor (resolution at 720P or 1080P)
3. DVI / HDMI graphic card

 
This makes it sound like unless an AVI is part of the equasion you dont get Hi Def.
 
I have been emailing back and forth with Auzen to clarify this but I still dont have a straght answer yet.

Click to expand...

You do not require a receiver to get full resolution support for those standards.  That is the MAIN feature of the Auzen and ASUS card.  All you need for hardware is basically a BD ROM and the card and your system supports full resolution BD audio formats for your PC sound system.
 
Both cards support full resolution decoding over analog output so you can use a receiver but you are not required to have one for this support on either card.
 
One note though, full resolution audio is only possible in Vista and above because of the PAP.
If you are using XP, that OS will cause down sampling but you will still have audio output.
 
You have to watch manuals also if the product is manufactured in another country as when the manuals are translated some details or ideas are lost in translation.
 
Either company will tell you the same thing.
 
Hope this helps.
 

Robscix,  
 
I'd say it's a safe bet to put more faith in what you found when testing these products than the tech support folks (especially at ASUS). 
 
Why is it both company's reps dont fully answer questions, speak in generic terms when asked specific questions, etc when asked about these pass thru style cards? Sure makes a person doubt the product is up to the task.
 
As you have worked with both, in your opinion which one has a more functional GUI?
 
 
 
 
 
 

UPDATE from ASUS and Azuntech: Neither the HDAV 1.4 or the xFi Home Theater cards will be HDMI 1.4 compliant for the 2012 model year production runs.

I found myself in the same situation, with my Xonar 1.3.  How to play BD 3d and still hear Dolby True HD/DTS MA?  The theory works!  I have a GTX 580 video card with multiple video outputs.  One hdmi output goes straight to the TV, another output (DVI) goes to the Xonar's input, using a DVI/HDMI adapter.  The Xonar's output goes to the AV receiver, where it decodes the full resolution sounds. So, I'm able to watch BD 3d and hear Dolby True HD/DTS MA at the same time.  Just remember to extend or clone your desktop under NVIDIA's control panel to have a video feed for the Xonar.  Audio/video nirvana!

That is a great tip. I will have to give it a shot.
 
Since all this was written I ended up waiting for a 1.4 pass thru card that never came. It's a shame digital audio doesn't get more attention unless you have a very deep pocket...

Wish I had seen this thread earlier, since I had the same problem waiting for the Xonar 1.4 that never showed, too.  The good news is that the solution provides the ability to watch 3d Bluray and DTS MA or Dolby True HD without having to purchase the latest 1.4 AV Receiver or Xonar 1.4.  The answer, all along, was getting a good video card with multiple outputs.  However, to make this work, I'm currently using Arcsoft's TMT6 (TMT3 back then) software player and the ASUS Xonar 1.3 - they apparently have a deal together.  For 3d, I use the Nvidia solution for the GTX 580 (my current video card).  You have to buy the full kit (with glasses) from Nvidia and after setup, you can use your TV manufacturer's 3d glasses.  It took awhile, but it was fun getting there.  Enjoy your HTPC.
 
David