Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

[Pardus]

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

$80.00 - $30 MIR = $50.99 + $5.69 ship
Item Link

Rebate valid 2/14/08-2/21/08, must be postmarked by 3/21/08
Rebate Link

Item Review

Boost your desktop's audio performance with a sound card from one of the premier names in computer audio?Creative Labs. The Sound Blaster XtremeGamer sound card is designed to enhance your PC gaming experience and improve your computer's overall performance. The card's X-Fi 24-bit Crystalizer will make your game audio more dynamic and realistic while improving both low and high frequencies giving you smoother, cleaner sound.

The card's audio processor, with help from Creative's CMSS-3D technology, is able to remix your stereo audio into surround sound?even through stereo headphones. This is ideal for playing first-person shooters so you can hear your enemies before it's too late. EAX Advanced HD technology further improves game audio tracks providing a more immersive experience.

Music and movies benefit from Creative's audio technology know-how, too. For enjoying your favorite DVDs, the card is THX certified and can handle decoding DTS and Dolby Digital EX duties via a free download of Cyberlink PowerDVD software.

Comments ?

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Nice deal! Just a quick FYI if you want to mod it, the XtremeGamer uses opamps with weird packages. Not sure if there is a simple drop-in replacement available, but you can sure do the capacitor mod though.

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: ActiveX
Comments ?

It's a good price for a "real" (i.e. non-XtremeAudio) X-Fi in retail packaging :thumbsup:. If I hadn't already gotten in on the XtremeMusic deal a while ago, I'd probably pick this up. That one was a non-rebate deal, but it was also just the bare card. Creative rebates are pretty painless, from my experience, in any case.

Hmm, a free AOL trial CD...haven't seen one of those in a while .

 

[Solema]

I'll also add that this card is the first X-Fi card I've seen with a correct, functional front-audio connector! It's for use with cases that have the Intel HD Audio front-panel connector, but I believe it can also be used with AC97 headers if you switch pins around. This card was exactly what I was looking for to hook the front audio connectors on my P180 up! That alone was worth the expense for me!

 

[eljaye925]

Did anyone read the rebate details. Rebate paid with a non-refundable visa prepaid card...

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

OOS

 

[beergeek]

Seems in stock for me...

A different question: does anyone know how good the ADCs on this thing are? I have a lot of vinyl and a pretty good analog setup (MC cart, head amp, pre) and would like to rip (does that apply?) it to as good digital as possible. Is this board a good choice? Is there a better choice without spending a lot more $$$?

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: eljaye925
Did anyone read the rebate details. Rebate paid with a non-refundable visa prepaid card...

Almost enough to fill up a tank of gas nowadays!

Originally posted by: beergeek
Seems in stock for me...

A different question: does anyone know how good the ADCs on this thing are? I have a lot of vinyl and a pretty good analog setup (MC cart, head amp, pre) and would like to rip (does that apply?) it to as good digital as possible. Is this board a good choice? Is there a better choice without spending a lot more $$$?

Its the same Wolfson 24-bit ADC found on the rest of the "full" X-Fi line, although the Elite Pro may have a better one. The Auzentech X-Fi also uses the Wolfson AK5394 though.

But ya its a nice deal on this card, especially those looking for front panel connectivity.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
OOS

EDIT: back in stock now. Went from OOS with ETA on the 19th to in stock again in about an hour.

 

[beergeek]

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: beergeek
A different question: does anyone know how good the ADCs on this thing are? I have a lot of vinyl and a pretty good analog setup (MC cart, head amp, pre) and would like to rip (does that apply?) it to as good digital as possible. Is this board a good choice? Is there a better choice without spending a lot more $$$?

Its the same Wolfson 24-bit ADC found on the rest of the "full" X-Fi line, although the Elite Pro may have a better one. The Auzentech X-Fi also uses the Wolfson AK5394 though.

I looked, and can't really tell - the Elite Pro shows significantly better numbers (SNR and THD), but they are quoted for output, not input, so I can't tell if the ADCs are better or just the DACs. In any case, for 5x the $$$, it's moot for me. For that matter, the Auzentech is 3x as much as this, so it's out too...

I did notice that contrary to what I thought I had seen here at one point, the Xtreme Gamer and Xtreme Music are not the same board. They show the same specs, but the layouts are quite different, as are the connector complements, and the Gamer has a husky heat sink over something that the Music either lacks completely or at least doesn't have any heat sink on. What are the actual differences from a functional point of view? Also, neither seems to come with any useful (analog supporting) software - is there decent (and not too expensive) stuff out there that will work with these (ideally on Linux, but Windows would do)?