X-fi Model Differences

[neonextgenazn]

What are the differences among the X-fi models? I can't decide which model to buy. I will mostly be using this card for music.

 

[jiiteepee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by neonextgenazn What are the differences among the X-fi models? I can't decide which model to buy. I will mostly be using this card for music.

http://uk.europe.creative.com/produc...bcategory=208&

http://www.digit-life.com/sound.html

Also, googlling w/ X-Fi review --> you find lot of X-Fi reviews.

Hmm, w/ the same price, there propably are better ones available too (just search this forum).


jiitee

 

[Sycraft]

Goes like so:

Extreme Music: Basic X-Fi card, no addons.
Platinum: Base card plus a CD-ROM drive pay unit with more inputs and outputs. You can buy this seperatly and efficlively upgrade an Extreme Music.
Fatal1ty: Base card, but with 64MB of X-Ram on it. This can be used by games to store samples and speed things up. As a practical matter none do. Also comes with the bay like the Platinum.
Elite Pro: Enhanced card, has better electronics (better DACs, opamps, etc), also has X-Ram on it. The CD-ROM bay is replaced by a (very large) external breakout box with the same sorts of inputs, and a bunch of controls.

So in terms of sound quality, everything but the Elite Pro is the same thing. They all have the same electronics. Unfortunately, there's no way to get the enhanced card but with no breakout box. It's all or nothing.

 

[acidboy84]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sycraft So in terms of sound quality, everything but the Elite Pro is the same thing. They all have the same electronics. Unfortunately, there's no way to get the enhanced card but with no breakout box. It's all or nothing.

Yup true. Luckily I knew someone who worked in Creative and purchased the Elite Pro for about SG$469 (~US$275).

 

[necropimp]

if it's only for music i see no real reason to get an x-fi...

if you are like me and want music and gaming... yeah you can tell what i'm going to buy

 

[King Saul]

As an alternative you could keep your existing sound card say for gaming etc, and go for a squeezebox 3 purely for music and radio only - which is what I have just done.

The squeezebox is just in a different league compared to my audgiy zs in terms of sound quality, soundstage, depth etc. I guess if your not into gaming then there are a few other soundcards to consider. But for me gaming is just as important aswell as music.

 

[necropimp]

do i look like i have a magic wallet that automatically fills with $100 bills when it's empty? i need to buy a video card with my next paycheck... the one after that is buying a rifle... the one after that... well that might be when i get the x-fi

 

[lini]

Quote:

Originally Posted by necropimp do i look like i have a magic wallet that automatically fills with $100 bills when it's empty?

Concluding from your avatar, I'd deem that possible.

Grinnings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

 

[Corrupt^]

The Xfi's are pretty good for music too. However I disable the CMSS 3D for headphones when I'm not gaming.

Higher frequencies seem to be alot nicer when it's off.