New Auzen X-fi Forte 7.1

[ROBSCIX]

Auzen will be annoucing a new soundcard to be released called the X-fi Forte' Have a look: HERE

Do we have any comments?

 

[Ricey20]

looks interesting.

 

[Ad Rock]

Why would you want a low-profile card? For a HTPC? If its for gamers most use full sized desktops so the GPU's have room to breathe.

 

[apatN]

Nice but like Ad Rock I don't get the point. Gamers have big computer cases anyway and for an HTPC it doesn't really matter as it will fit anyway.

 

[ROBSCIX]

The card is half height, Native PCI-E 1X but comes with both half height and normal brackets so you can install the card in whatever sized system you have.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Yeah, I'm not sure why they went with the half height. Not that it is necessarily bad, but HTPC users probably won't be caring about the X-Fi part, and gamers don't need the half height. I also don't like the connector for getting multi-channel analog output, although its not a big deal.

I assume its using the same chip as the Xonar Essence and HT Omega Claro for the amp?

What I would like to see is a small breakout box so you can get direct 1/4" output on the front of the case. Maybe make it and the headamp section a separate enclosure for that.

 

[Kurotetsu]

The built-in headphone amp and coaxial digital out look interesting. My one gripe with the X-Fi Titanium is that you have to use a rather flimsy TOSlink connection for digital out, would've prefered the option of a more secure coaxial connection.

My biggest question with this is whether it'll have the 'Play Stereo Mix with Digital Output' option that the Titaniums have.

EDIT:

I imagine this could be a compelling product if its priced right. And by 'priced right' I mean in the range of $99.

 

[renugaid]

Auzens site doesn't list CMSS-3D for this and the X-Fi HT. Any idea if they're still included ROBSCIX?

 

[XtremeD]

One question I have is it says opamp for Front L/R only. So does this mean using the headphone port would not go through this opamp?

 

[Alydon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtremeD /img/forum/go_quote.gif One question I have is it says opamp for Front L/R only. So does this mean using the headphone port would not go through this opamp?

I believe they're referring to the LM4562 opamp that is in a DIP socket for front L/R channels. That's not the same thing as the headphone opamp that is part of the "headphone amp" section of the card.

After it has left the DAC, the signal for the front L/R channels will first go through the LM4562 (at least I think that's the model, the pic is somewhat blurry). Then it will get routed either through a separate "headphone amp" opamp if you use the headphone jack on the card, or will stay as a line-level signal and hit the "front channel" 1/8" mini on the breakout I/O cable.

The "opamp for Front L/R only" mentioned in the Tour section is referring to the fact that only the LM4562 opamp for the front channel is in a socket and so is replaceable, but the opamps used for the side/center/back channels are soldered to the board (and probably aren't LM4562's either).

 

[XtremeD]

Hmm, so might be worth going through the Front L/R instead of headphone section then, seeing as the LM4562 is a good opamp.

 

[Alydon]

I think I was a little unclear in my last post. The signal will go through the LM4562 whether you ultimately listen from the headphone out jack or the front L.R jack on the I/O breakout cable. But if you use the headphone out jack you will get additional amplification so the signal is tailored to adequately drive headphones. The signal will go through the LM4562 in either case.



So it goes: DAC -> LM4562 -> headphone opamp -> headphone jack

or DAC -> LM4562 -> Front Channel Jack on the I/O breakout cable

 

[XtremeD]

Thanks for the explanation. But I guess then it would sound different or even worse on the headphone jack, as this headphone opamp might not be as good?

I am currently using my Realtek onboard sound, and my HD25 are so loud on just 35% volume. Maybe I can therefore direct out of the LM4562

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by renugaid /img/forum/go_quote.gif Auzens site doesn't list CMSS-3D for this and the X-Fi HT. Any idea if they're still included ROBSCIX?

The card features a true X-fi Chip, so all features avialble on that chip would be avaialable. -including CMSS-3D.

 

[XtremeD]

Don't suppose you will be getting one of these for testing will you? Eagerly want to see how it performs.