X-Fi ExtremeMusic

[88NovaTwincam]

Came extremely WELL packaged inside sealed static bag-inside mini-bubble wrap-inside big bubble wrap-with foam insert-inside cardboard envelope-inside and ecs mobo box!

Kudos Ascendtech!

 

[rtoepfer]

You can get the Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Card on Newegg for $49.99 FS.

 

[ICXRa]

True but the card in this thread is regarded to be of higher quality.

 

[imported_Shaq]

It is now down to $47.99 free shipping and I just had to get it. I should be able to ebay the Audigy 2ZS for about $20-$25.

 

[PepperBreath]

So where do you buy the parts in order to hotrod it? All those guides tell you how to do it but not where to buy the replacement parts.

 

[dslabby]

To those looking for the drivers for this oem card they may be the HP ones at this link:

Vista:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizs...&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

XP:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizs...c=US&swItem=wk-41674-1

Older version XP:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizs...c=US&swItem=wk-39295-1

OEM's are supposed to be only Dell or HP and I've seen people only trying the Creative or Dell drivers to get the flexjack working. Maybe these will help. Do a search while in there for lots of other info on this card.

 

[RallyMaster]

Originally posted by: PepperBreath
So where do you buy the parts in order to hotrod it? All those guides tell you how to do it but not where to buy the replacement parts.

Look here and they will have the LM4562MA opamps in narrow SOIC as a sample. You can get a maximum sample number of three unless you create another account (which is not discouraged). If you have university email accounts (.edu), you get free shipping. I got six samples of the LM4562s with my Purdue and IUPUI email accounts and they shipped via UPS.

 

[dslabby]

My case has individual connectors (10) for the pins to the front case mic/speaker jacks as well as intelHD (2x5) and AC97 (2x5) plugs. Could I connect the individual pins to the coreesponding ones one this card and if so does anyone have the pinout diagram/listing for the front panel out on this card?

 

[highlanderfil]

Picked it up for $45 and change. Let the building begin!

 

[GZeus]

Originally posted by: RallyMaster

Originally posted by: PepperBreath
So where do you buy the parts in order to hotrod it? All those guides tell you how to do it but not where to buy the replacement parts.

Look here and they will have the LM4562MA opamps in narrow SOIC as a sample. You can get a maximum sample number of three unless you create another account (which is not discouraged). If you have university email accounts (.edu), you get free shipping. I got six samples of the LM4562s with my Purdue and IUPUI email accounts and they shipped via UPS.

Actually, even a work place email account will do. Thats what I used. They will charge you a shipping fee of around $12 if you want to use a public email address (Hotmail, GMail, etc).

 

[LunarEclipse]

I ordered Sunday, received it Wednesday and installed it Thursday. It sounds incredible, my music sounds so much sharper and richer. BIG upgrade from my Sound Blaster Live.

 

[uwannawhat]

In stock & $47 shipped!

In for one, thanks.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: GZeus

Originally posted by: RallyMaster

Originally posted by: PepperBreath
So where do you buy the parts in order to hotrod it? All those guides tell you how to do it but not where to buy the replacement parts.

Look here and they will have the LM4562MA opamps in narrow SOIC as a sample. You can get a maximum sample number of three unless you create another account (which is not discouraged). If you have university email accounts (.edu), you get free shipping. I got six samples of the LM4562s with my Purdue and IUPUI email accounts and they shipped via UPS.

Actually, even a work place email account will do. Thats what I used. They will charge you a shipping fee of around $12 if you want to use a public email address (Hotmail, GMail, etc).

Actually, National is currently charging a shipping fee for LM4562 samples ($4.07 shipped to Philadelphia). As I recall, they didn't do this as of two weeks ago, but I think something happened to my first sample order, because it disappeared from my mail.

 

[GZeus]

I'm just too busy (or lazy?) to read through all 68 pages of the modification guide, though I probably will at some point before I actually try the mod.

In the meantime...
- has anyone ordered the Blackgate 2200uF and the ERS paper? If so, can you PM me the part numbers etc for whichever seller you used - or - if anyone wants to do a private sale of these, also PM me.

Thanks!

 

[Bad Dude]

Originally posted by: GZeus
I'm just too busy (or lazy?) to read through all 68 pages of the modification guide, though I probably will at some point before I actually try the mod.

In the meantime...
- has anyone ordered the Blackgate 2200uF and the ERS paper? If so, can you PM me the part numbers etc for whichever seller you used - or - if anyone wants to do a private sale of these, also PM me.

Thanks!

First of all, you don't need ESR paper. It's minimal improvement. The main mod is the Oamp change out and the Capacitor. You don't need a Blackgate brand. You can use any brand that is of good quality. I bought one for $2.16 and Xircon brand.
Most important is the soldering skill.

 

[Modular]

Does this card or the OEM software that you DL for it come with a DTS decoder? I know that it says that it can decode DTS, but I wanted to make sure that those of you who installed this OEM version have been able to use the DTS decoder. Thanks.

 

[imported_Shaq]

okay...spent several hours getting it set up today. I am posting the steps in order so you can have it set up much quicker. This is for XP and now for Vista. The ISO links are below. Use for your OS and replace the support.cab file with Reggie's file. Instructions are in Reggie's file link. You use winrar to extract the ISO and Reggie's file, then replace the support.cab and then run setup in the main directory. Everything should then install just like a retail card. Enjoy.

Download the XP ISO here http://files.filefront.com/ISO...5020773;/fileinfo.html

Download Vista ISO here
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t...Sdqz8JKtYCcLyOnj5QnAzw

Download Reggie's modded support.cab here
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/c...fi%20install%20mod.zip

Follow the directions with the modded file. You don't have to create a CD to install, but it is a good idea for backup purposes. After you install the software you can now update the drivers at creative's website and/or windows update.

Everything is functional except DTS. You have all the settings available here
http://www.creative.com/produc...gory=669&product=14066

If you only install the drivers from the creative website or windows update you won't have all the adjustable modes and features. But you can update the driver afterwards and retain everything. The option for flexijack has been tested and is working just as it should according to forum posters. I haven't been able to get DTS to work yet even with posted methods on the web. If you get it to work please post and I will update with the links.

Hope this helps people considering this.

 

[ICantAffordIt]

I'm unable to get anything off the filefront page right now. Hopefully it's just a temporary problem.
Edit: Page is working now

 

[isekii]

how much improvement should I see over the SB Live Audigy2 off a Dell system.

 

[MrC4]

"how much improvement should I see over the SB Live Audigy2 off a Dell system. "

I made the same upgrade and all I can say is WOW. Very noticeable difference playing music and video files. I am now hearing instruments that I had forgot were in some of my favorite songs!

 

[KGB]

I want to thank cbuchach for this thread.

This card kicks some serious ass :Q

I have a SB Live, TB Santa Cruz and lately... believe it or not, my beloved Aureal Vortex 2 but for $50 this card is an unbelievable value and sounds great.

:thumbsup:

 

[bigpow]

Hey all,

I have SBLive Value 24bit (MSI Neo4 on-board sound) and Logitech z5450 -
Really tempted to get this one after so many good reviews

$47.xx & Free shipping this week - wow!

Quick question:
-I'm currently running 6.1 analog via my SBLive and Logitech, I couldn't get my digital out to work (coax & optical).
-What kind of connection do you have? Is analog connection to speaker still preferred over digital?
-Does it even have digital out? or do I have to buy a module for that (a la Creative)


TIA

 

[ZappDogg]

In for one for 48 shipped! Hopefully this will be a solid upgrade from my Audigy 2 ZS that has been crippled by Vista. Thanks for the thread!!!

 

[highlanderfil]

Still haven't been able to figure out how to make it work on a Dell XPS410 running Vista...

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: isekii
how much improvement should I see over the SB Live Audigy2 off a Dell system.

dunno about music, video files.

but the biggest improvement for me is in battlefield 2.

first, my microphone now works.
second, directional audio is unreal. it allows me to have a competive edge over people who dont have x-fi...


it's really kind of hard to describe... but basically, with the audigy2, i couldnt get directional audio in bf2. but with the x-fi, i can get very exact directional audio.

i imagine bf2 is coded to force x-fi, but it was pretty worth it for me.