*dead* Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic Card - $40 shipped @ Amazon

[totalnoob]

I have this card and it is amazing. It blows away my old Audigy 2 and is miles ahead of integrated motherboard audio. Wonderful for music and gaming.

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Sound.../dp/B000AY7A1I

 

[eggrolls]

I don't see it listed on Amazon's site, but just FYI:

Save BIG with B-Stock!
Creative B-Stock is a new product where the outer box may be dented, torn, marked, and/or stickered. The product is new, has never been used, and carries a full manufacturer's warranty.

http://us.outletstore.creative.com/Sound-Blaster-XFi-XtremeMusic-BStock/M/B000AY7A1I.htm

No big deal if you're buying it for yourself though.

 

[shingletingle]

The Asus Xonar line of cards are better.

 

[totalnoob]

The Asus Xonar line of cards are better.

costing 300-400% more, they better

The X-Fi ExtremeMusic really is excellent though. I paid $90 for mine and have no regrets.

 

[Meghan54]

Don't know if this has changed so far, but Microsoft's compatibility center for Windows 7 lists this card as being INCOMPATIBLE for Windows 7 for both 32 and 64 bit versions.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/co...B0460&pf=1&pi=6&s=x-fi extrememusic&os=32-bit

 

[Easygoing]

Don't know if this has changed so far, but Microsoft's compatibility center for Windows 7 lists this card as being INCOMPATIBLE for Windows 7 for both 32 and 64 bit versions.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/co...B0460&pf=1&pi=6&s=x-fi extrememusic&os=32-bit

\

I have this card and I am running Windows7 with no issues. Great sound card.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

\

I have this card and I am running Windows7 with no issues. Great sound card.

Ive been having some issues with this card and Im running W7 64bit. Im not sure if its the hardware/driver incompat or not but I've been getting a horrible screech of death, forcing me to restart. But usually after the restart it'll be gone.

 

[jlee]

In what respect is it better than an Audigy2? I've had this card for years and have the itch to upgrade..but I don't really see why I should.

 

[Spike]

In what respect is it better than an Audigy2? I've had this card for years and have the itch to upgrade..but I don't really see why I should.

When I upgraded from the audigy 2 to the x-fi music about 2 years ago the largest difference I found was in MP3 playback. I could make them sound crisper and smoother, just more fun to listen to. Other than that I can't think of one thing that the x-fi really did better, at least not to my ears.

As for Windows 7 I have read there are volume issues with an X-fi as in your volume will sound really low. I have read some fixes and will try them myself now that I have an 8-pin 12v extension and can fit my x-fi into my case again (switched PSU's, cable was too short and would not allow me to have any pci cards installed). I'll see if it has no issues with Win 7 64 bit though from what I read it should not.

Great card for a decent price, though this is what I paid for mine, also from Amazon, 2 years ago.

 

[Insomniator]

I haven't had sound to come out of my X-fi card correctly with any kind of consistency in both Vista and 7 x64. This is with both creative's terrible drivers and the most popular third party package.. can't remember the name.

Hissing, popping, sound dropping... I have the speakers plugged into on board sound now. Actually works and sounds almost the same anyway.

 

[evident]

is this the version that's hot roddable?

 

[bigsnyder]

Running an Xtrememusic with Windows 7 64-bit RC without issue.

Get drivers here:
http://support.creative.com/Product...SET=prodfaq:PRODFAQ_14066,VARSET=CategoryID:1

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Running an Xtrememusic with Windows 7 64-bit RC without issue.

Get drivers here:
http://support.creative.com/Product...SET=prodfaq:PRODFAQ_14066,VARSET=CategoryID:1

They havent updated those damn drivers since beta.

 

[Xcobra]

No to derail the OP but I have an SB Audigy 2 and I only get sound from two speakers (out of 4) and the sound sucks! Damn you creative!

If you're still on XP, this a good deal!

 

[RallyMaster]

is this the version that's hot roddable?

It is.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Solid sound card for a good price. If I did not already have an Audigy 2 ZS, I would be in for one.

Still cannot get Planescape: Torment's EAX working via Alchemy in Windows 7 x64

 

[Xcobra]

Solid sound card for a good price. If I did not already have an Audigy 2 ZS, I would be in for one.

Still cannot get Planescape: Torment's EAX working via Alchemy in Windows 7 x64

Dude, same here. It is very frustrating.

 

[qliveur]

is this the version that's hot roddable?

It is.

I'm curious as to what "hot rodding" this card entails. Could someone please explain it to me?

I've Googled it and found nothing.

 

[KGB]

It is.

And do it. Makes a big difference.

 

[einstein4pres]

I'm curious as to what "hot rodding" this card entails. Could someone please explain it to me?

I've Googled it and found nothing.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f46/hotrodding-x-fi-laymans-guide-no-56k-226975/
http://www.overclock.net/sound-cards-computer-audio/185072-incredible-x-fi-mod-will-void.html

You can replace the op-amps and capacitors with better ones to improve the quality of the output sound.

 

[us3rnotfound]

I'm curious as to what "hot rodding" this card entails. Could someone please explain it to me?

I've Googled it and found nothing.

This thread tells one everything:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f46/hotrodding-x-fi-laymans-guide-no-56k-226975/

However, I have done the opamp mod and found that it doesn't really change the output characteristics enough to notice. The audiophile grade capacitors may do more though. Otherwise, snake oil alert.

 

[qliveur]

Thank you both.

 

[bigsnyder]

They havent updated those damn drivers since beta.

Maybe so, but they do work.

 

[Pollock]

How does this compare to the X-Fi Gamer?

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

aren't they the same card packaged with different software, and sometimes different cabling?