Hey guys, thank you for all the feedback!  I'm glad there are some users on this forum that are familiar with these products.  The poster who said above that the buzzing is reduced in speaker mode is correct - I have only really noticed on headphone mode.  It was audible for me using headphones...

After some more testing with my newer laptop (I had to replace the other one), the buzzing noise is still there, and I can't seem to get rid of it.  The X-Fi Go! Pro is noisier than my onboard sound, and based on that, I would not recommend it to anyone unless there is a solution.

Quote: Thanks for the information!!  I'm seriously thinking of getting one of these when I get the chance.  

Quote:  I don't know, but I would like to know this as well.  I am running Windows 7, but I have XP Mode, so I am going to check XP to find out how NRGreatest can check for us :)   Edit: I went through the sound properties in Windows XP and it isn't easy to see what sample rates...

Perhaps they simply aren't interested in making too many changes to appeal to that market, though Sennheiser has experimented a bit with the look of some of their products.  But ultimately, not every company is going to be interested in going for every market.

Another thing to consider: Most people on Head-fi value sound quality above all.  In the real world, that is not the case with most people.  They value things like style, brand name popular in their social circle, etc, equally with, or sometimes even more than, sound quality.  So even if the...

1. If someone is excited about their new toy, what is the point of going and pointing out that you think it is bad?  Why take that excitement away from them?   2. It's school.  Part of what school is about is stupid fashions. 

I have one of the phones in that family, the HD438; I really like it, but I don't use it for travelling, just at home, so I may not be able to give you useful advice.  It is good for blocking out sounds at home like outside noises and my computer fan, but I don't know if it would be good for...

Presumably you could have them both installed as long as you have a PCI slot and a USB port to accommodate each device.  Windows has no problem handling more than one audio device, generally.  Unless there is some issue peculiar to the cards in question, having both installed on the system...

Good luck!  Be sure to give us your impressions after you receive it and get a chance to try it out.

Quote: I'm not sure if you already noticed this, but the X-Fi HD (the USB one) and the X-Fi Titanium HD (the PCIe one) are both fairly new products, among the newer additions to Creative's lineup.  So a lot of people may not know what they think of these products.  That might be why it...

On Creative's site (http://us.store.creative.com/Sound-Blaster-XFi-HD/M/B004275EO4.htm), it says that this unit supports headphones with an impedance <= 330 Ohms.  That is all I could find.

This is correct, ASFAIK.   Quote:

There is a review for that card here: http://www.vortez.co.uk/articles_pages/creative_sound_blaster_x_fi_hd_review,1.html  I am not sure if they have an answer to your question, but it might be worth a look if you have not seen it already.

I just got this album today, and am listening to it now

Thanks! I'm having a blast

Thanks! I'm having a blast

Good news!  While removing devices or switching ports did not solve the problem, I found another solution.  I bought the inexpensive FiiO E5 amp and ran the signal through that before going to my headphones, and all the issues that I reported above seem to be cleared up.

I think the one you mentioned is the top X-Fi card these days.  At least, it is the one they are marketing toward audiophiles, and I think the reviews have been good.   Quote:

Ok, it has been a little more than three weeks since I got this.  I have been listening to these HD438s through either my laptop with Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Go! Pro USB soundcard, or through my old Sony CD Walkman D-EJ621.  I wanted to buy a cheap amplifier so that I could use the Line Out...

I'll try that.  I have three USB ports on my laptop itself, so I'll switch devices around and see what kind of results I get.  Thanks! 

Hmm... the buzzing seems to be present in other songs, whenever they get quiet enough.  So I guess it may always be there during CD playback, except that it is often outweighed by the music itself.  I guess in the long run, I will have to save up money for a decent quality DAC, but until then...

Recently, I purchased the Sound Blaster X-fi Go! Pro, a small USB sound device for about $40.  This is one of Creative's recent products; I had hoped that it would allow for a cheap improvement in sound quality.  However, I have noticed that I seem to get pops and crackles while listening to CD...

Installing a sound card should not require a professional, though if you are unfamiliar with opening up your computer, it can't hurt to get help from someone a bit more experienced.  If you have any friends who know about computers, I would suggest asking one for some help if you are unsure. ...

  I think that what he meant was that if you bought the music on CD, you have to possess the original CD media in order for it to be legal to use the ripped music files. Quote: