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The Auzen Prelude 7.1 Thread.

post #1 of 402
8/26/07 at 5:48pm
Thread Starter 
This card have started shipping and should be getting to their owners any day. I am starting this thread to try and keep the info in one place for users looking for information on this card.
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post #2 of 402
8/27/07 at 5:13am
I sure would like to hear what you guys think of the card. I'm a recent X-Meridian owner but my original intentions was to get this card. It was delayed way to long though.
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post #3 of 402
8/28/07 at 7:35pm
1st available retailer
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post #4 of 402
9/2/07 at 8:31am
I thought someone would jump on this one now that it's available.

Guess we're all waiting for someone else to take the plunge?
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post #5 of 402
9/12/07 at 9:18pm
I installed this card last night. The drivers seem a bit buggy for Vista at moment (big surprise...). In the recording devices, I don't see Line Inm nor does it show up in the "Analog Mix". I can't get the Microphone to work at all.

I was able to add the enhancements table to have access to DRC. You just have to follow DanaG's instructions here:

http://forums.creative.com/creativel...cending&page=1

But, you need to add the MSSysFx.AddReg to [Live2K.Interface.Topology2] instead of [XFi.Interface.Topology] which doesn't exist.
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post #6 of 402
9/12/07 at 9:30pm
Mines comes in Friday. Ordered from Newegg.
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post #7 of 402
9/12/07 at 11:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bullgates View Post

1st available retailer

cheaper:

http://www.ncixus.com/products/23788/PRELUDE/AuzenTech/

$181 + $8 shipping (no tax)
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post #8 of 402
9/13/07 at 7:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mojo_lo View Post

cheaper:

http://www.ncixus.com/products/23788/PRELUDE/AuzenTech/

$181 + $8 shipping (no tax)


Wow...that's a LOT cheaper than I bought mine for at New Egg.
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post #9 of 402
9/13/07 at 10:23am
I had ordered my from NCIX. WIth the standard shipping it took 2 weeks for it to ship, FYI.
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post #10 of 402
9/13/07 at 10:28am
was it not in stock at the time of ordering?

i ordered a motherboard from ncixus and it took about three days to reach me (in California).
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post #11 of 402
9/13/07 at 11:23am
Well that's one nice thing about NewEgg. It shipped UPS 3 day and I recieved it the following day.
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post #12 of 402
9/13/07 at 6:42pm
I meant it was 2 weeks from the time they said it was shipped out to the time it got to me. I think their first shipment of X-FI Preludes went to Canada. Maybe now they have stock in the US.
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post #13 of 402
9/13/07 at 6:55pm
News on Creative's PCI-Express Xi-fi (briefly mentions the Prelude):

http://www.guru3d.com/newsitem.php?id=5893
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post #14 of 402
9/14/07 at 7:04am
I am really curious, when watching a movie, how it will sound when the sound is panning across the front speakers with the different op-amps. How does DVD-A sound? Will it even be noticeable?
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post #15 of 402
9/14/07 at 11:04am
Auzentech has finally put the drivers which you can find on the CD on their website. Further more there is a big patch for this driver available for download!

http://www.auzentech.com/site/download/updates.php
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post #16 of 402
9/15/07 at 2:38pm
Thread Starter 
The compatible Alchemy version 1.3.0.0 is also available on that page.
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post #17 of 402
9/15/07 at 3:39pm
I am really looking for a card that can output HDMI 5.1 LPCM at a minimum.
Is this Prelude with soon to be released option board the only option?

- Rich
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post #18 of 402
9/15/07 at 5:21pm
I installed the Prelude today to replace my Fatal1ty card.
So far, disappointed. The S/PDIF output is not working.
It will send out sound to the front speakers.
In PowerDVD the S/PDIF optioned is grayed out and can not be selected.
The S/PDIF will not pass any DTS or AC3 signal.
Did the usual things, tried a different PCI slot, reloaded the software, yada yada. No joy.
I'm currently using the analog to my Onkyo NR-905 and sounds ok.
I've got a trouble ticket opened with Auzentec. Wonder if it is hardware problem or software bug? By the way, running Windows XP pro and their is a known problem with Vista with the digital out not working.
Now I just gotta wait.
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post #19 of 402
9/20/07 at 6:50pm
I found out that PowerDvd will send dts, ac3, etc, through the spdif port. I couldn't get zoom player with ffdshow or ac3filter to work when sending an AC3 signal

Using graft edit, I found out why. PowerDVD is using the waveout renderer, not direct sound. So, I changed the audio renderer to waveout in ffdshow and I could finally send a ac3, DTS, etc. though the spdif port to my receiver.

So, direct sound does not fully work with the Prelude when using the spdif port. It will only output stereo PCM. Direct Sound works fine through the analog out.

I had contacted Auzentech support but they gave me the standard "your configuration must not be right"

I gave them details of my findings and they responded back that they are now working on a patch for the spdif issue with direct sound and will have a beta driver out within a week or so. I don't know if my info helped or it was something that they were already addressing internally.

I do like the card. It will be a lot better when we are done beta testing it and Auzentech can produce better drivers. Of course, a price needs to be paid for being an early adopter.
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post #20 of 402
9/21/07 at 5:52am
How do owners feel the Prelude stacks up against the Sound-Blaster X-FI and X-Meridian?

I had a XM but switched to the X-FI Moded with LM4562's.
The XM (also with LM4562's) sounded too digital on the high and and voices seemed a bit thin. The bass and dynamics were excellent.

The X-Treme Music modded with LM4562's has pleasing vocals but lacks bass definition and some detail in the high end. But overall, I felt was more natural.

Also, since I watch movies in a house with children sleeping, I am really fond of the X-FI Smart Volume Management.

I read the Prelude review on Guru3d and found it heartening. The XM was reviewed by G3D and I think they were sucked in by the upper end. They like the Prelude less, but I think for the wrong reasons. (I appreciate reviews with headpones, but I wonder about reviews with Logitech speakers )
I suspect the Prelude may be a more neutral card, which I like.

Anyway, just looking for opinions. I wonder if the Xonar has a compressed mode for night viewing.

To add to the confusion, I was also leaning toward the Prelude for HDMI support. I have a Onkyo Pro 885 on order and would prefer sending HD DVD and BD digitally to my Preamp.

Thanks,

Rich
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post #21 of 402
9/21/07 at 8:27am
Thread Starter 
Well, The Prelude spanks existing Creative cards. They can't compete with the sound quality. I find the Prelude sounds very similar to a Modded X-Meridian w/LM4562's.
The Xonar is also a very great sounding card and comes with alot of extras. -no nighttime compression mode..
The Prelude is great for Headphones because of CMSS3D for headphones.
The Xonar is great for Headphones because of the Dolby Headphone technology.
The Xonar and Prelude are both outstanding cards. If I HAD to choose one I would take the Prelude. Many more features and more to come...
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post #22 of 402
9/21/07 at 1:25pm
Quote:


Well, The Prelude spanks existing Creative cards. They can't compete with the sound quality. I find the Prelude sounds very similar to a Modded X-Meridian w/LM4562's.

... and my 4562 mod'd X-Fi Elite Pro is indistinguishable (in sound fidelity) from my 4562 plugged XM...

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post #23 of 402
9/21/07 at 1:44pm
i guess it shows what you hook it up too.
XM for me with LM4562 sounded realistic not digital at all, but bass was weak, maybe a bit too bright but not in a harsh way.
i like OPA627.

Quote:
Originally Posted by RichB View Post

How do owners feel the Prelude stacks up against the Sound-Blaster X-FI and X-Meridian?

I had a XM but switched to the X-FI Moded with LM4562's.
The XM (also with LM4562's) sounded too digital on the high and and voices seemed a bit thin. The bass and dynamics were excellent.

The X-Treme Music modded with LM4562's has pleasing vocals but lacks bass definition and some detail in the high end. But overall, I felt was more natural.

Also, since I watch movies in a house with children sleeping, I am really fond of the X-FI Smart Volume Management.

I read the Prelude review on Guru3d and found it heartening. The XM was reviewed by G3D and I think they were sucked in by the upper end. They like the Prelude less, but I think for the wrong reasons. (I appreciate reviews with headpones, but I wonder about reviews with Logitech speakers )
I suspect the Prelude may be a more neutral card, which I like.

Anyway, just looking for opinions. I wonder if the Xonar has a compressed mode for night viewing.

To add to the confusion, I was also leaning toward the Prelude for HDMI support. I have a Onkyo Pro 885 on order and would prefer sending HD DVD and BD digitally to my Preamp.

Thanks,

Rich
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post #24 of 402
9/21/07 at 3:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by skibum5000 View Post

i guess it shows what you hook it up too.
XM for me with LM4562 sounded realistic not digital at all, but bass was weak, maybe a bit too bright but not in a harsh way.
i like OPA627.

Yep. I am hooking to an Integra Research RDC7 Preamp to a Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature AMP to Revel Salons.

- Rich
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post #25 of 402
9/22/07 at 3:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichB View Post

Yep. I am hooking to an Integra Research RDC7 Preamp to a Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature AMP to Revel Salons.

- Rich


i have it hooked up to a modest yamaha receiver and then on to NHT Classic speakers paired with an older Infinity Infinitsemal Active Servo Sub.

why do you hook it up to a preamp? isn't the card itself when using the analog outs basically the preamp?
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post #26 of 402
9/22/07 at 4:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by skibum5000 View Post

i have it hooked up to a modest yamaha receiver and then on to NHT Classic speakers paired with an older Infinity Infinitsemal Active Servo Sub.

why do you hook it up to a preamp? isn't the card itself when using the analog outs basically the preamp?

Not really the output is not the same as a Preamp. Also, I have only one sets of inputs to my AMP.

- Rich
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post #27 of 402
9/24/07 at 10:16pm
RichB, could you explain what a pre-amp will add that the output of this sound card doesn't have as far as analog goes?

Thanks.
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post #28 of 402
9/24/07 at 11:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zothen View Post

RichB, could you explain what a pre-amp will add that the output of this sound card doesn't have as far as analog goes?

Thanks.

For example, my current Preamp accepts 200mV on its preamp inputs but outputs 1V. A friend of mine tried to run his X-FI directly to his amp but could not get the volume up. He needs to use his Preamp.

- Rich
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post #29 of 402
9/25/07 at 2:58am
The Patch for the Prelude driver has been updated!

http://www.auzentech.com/site/download/updates.php
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post #30 of 402
9/29/07 at 8:31am
what features does the new driver have?
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