X-fi bass heavy or Xonar d2x bass light?

[m0ofassa]

I swapped from an X-fi (audio creation mode etc from analog out) to a Xonar d2x today (currently on "hi fi" mode) and am finding that the bass from 770/80s is far less overpowering on the xonar and is a lot more integrated (among other things such as the whole presentation is a lot smoother). Just curious as to whether the x-fi is bass heavy, or the xonar is bass light (or both?) because it may impact my next can purchase (not particularly willing to take PC into can store since i will probably take public transport).

Also, if anyone feels like recomending some settings for the d2x (not that there seems many), then shoot.

 

[obobskivich]

are you using an amplifier?

 

[ear8dmg]

Were you using the 'crystalliser' on the X-Fi?

 

[obobskivich]

also a good question

 

[m0ofassa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ear8dmg /img/forum/go_quote.gif Were you using the 'crystalliser' on the X-Fi?

TMK thats not even available on audio creation mode (but for the sake of answering, no i wasnt)
Nothing special was on o nthe x-fi, nor is it here.
@ obob LDMKIII in both cases (6N6Pxm8100)

 

[obobskivich]

crystalizer is 100% available in audio creation (as well as SVM, CMSS, EAX, etc) and sounds just as artifical

with the same amp in both cases, that is interesting, I'd guess either you changed some output setting inadvertantly (gain or something so it isn't "volume matched") or the opamps used in each card are dramatically different enough to influence the sound (as you're observing)

I've never felt that my Prelude is "bass heavy", but I've never heard the D2x (I have heard many other soundcards, and do not feel any of them to be particular "bass heavy" or "bass light" in the traditional sense)

 

[m0ofassa]

All that crap was off because it just sounds plain bad imho. Dont get me started on the "music" mode for the xonar - it sounds like you're in the bathroom, actually an empty toilet bowl.
edit: when i say "far less overpowering", I dont mean far less overpowering... I just mean its less loud - more noticably on some tracks than others. bloat is reduced as well, mind you, but TMK the d2x has slightly better components which is probably what is resulting in smoothness.
edit:: I dunno. Im not in a position to A/B the cards at the moment. I'll check it out during the week if i can.

 

[obobskivich]

I'm guessing its smoother due to better opamps

the cheap X-Fi's aren't known for their super high quality components, they're known for being absurdly powerful DSPs for like $100 that do better than average with music (and are great digital sources)

 

[m0ofassa]

I was using an xfi fatality. Cheers for the tip abotu the digital source, I might swap back to it when i get a DAC...
time to listen to some of the hardcore and electropop (ladytron) that i found unlistenable before on the 770 for something different.

 

[obobskivich]

well, the D2x should be just as capable of a digital source as the X-Fi is

the Fatal1ty is in-between being "a name and decent digital out" and "really good analog source", the D2x is a bit better in measurements, so I'm not surprised that you're noticing a bit of improvement

honestly I don't believe anything is broken or damaged in your system, if thats what you're worried about

 

[m0ofassa]

pft, read me like a book. The install for the xonar was scary, and quite noisy (case was open). Cheers for the concern mate

 

[obobskivich]

quite noisy? I don't understand, hopefully you didn't test the hot-swap abilities of your system

 

[m0ofassa]

Idk how to explain it, maybe someone else here has one.

 

[ROBSCIX]

Are you talking about the clicking heard when you start the system or change certain settings?

The card has relays and you can hear these routing the signal when you first boot the system or change seting in the mixers. Can sound a bit disconcerting if your not sure what you hearing and have a quiet PC.
I have tested out a few Xonars what is your trouble?

 

[m0ofassa]

Yeah, the clicking is what im talking about. It was just fairly loud

edit: no trouble, enjoying the card as of this moment