The Auzen Prelude 7.1 Thread. - Page 8

Do you mind telling me where you ordered from? I'm also in the UK and would like to find these...

This sounds good, but I would rather wait for the HDMI board. Coming soon...?

- Rich

that's it in a nutshell.... there's ways around it, involving a second sound card, but it's far from easy and seamless....

I guess this is already known to most people here, but I finally learned that you can't get more than 5.1 sound out of the Prelude 7.1 without using the analog outputs (which is no good for me since my 6.1 receiver only has 5.1 analog inputs).

I called their tech support trying to figure out how to get the rear channel, and was told that SPDIF can't currently handle 6.1 or 7.1 (but that they are working with Creative to possibly get that in a couple of months, so I guess it's not an SPDIF limitation?). BTW, their tech support is awful... the barely intelligible guy I talked to first said they have no phone support for sound cards (even though the phone # is listed in the "manual" that comes with the Prelude), and that I would have to email their Hong Kong office for support. After a few minutes he finally gave in and explained to me the 5.1 SPDIF limitation.

I guess I'll just have to wait until I get a new receiver with 7.1 analog inputs, which will probably (hopefully) be only shortly before the HDMI daughterboard comes out.

Just FYI for anyone else out there who is wasting time like I was trying to figure it out. After finding out the truth, I was really mad that they apparently didn't care to mention the issue anywhere on the packaging or in the "manual."

John

Just noticed they got new drivers on there site
http://www.auzentech.com/site/download/updates.php

File name: 20K1_Auz_RefCD1_RC5-1.zip
ㆍDriver version: X-Fi Prelude - 6.0.1.1281 (RC 5_1)
ㆍSize: 150 mb
ㆍRelease Date: 02/19/2008
ㆍ download

New Changes / Fixes in this driver:
ㆍApplications have been revised to improve on the intermittent
audio distortion issues when using DDL.

Thanks for the Update.
188 MB unzipped, what are these guys thinking

- Rich

they're thinkin' CREATIVEly

That makes sense.
I wonder. Did they need to send us anything more than the setup directory?

- Rich

I don't see anything different.

just put in the 637 opamps, will test them tonight, although i usually listen to music in 5.1 mode and vocals come thru the center channel. but alas, no opamp options for that. so ill try in 2.0 and see.

and still i wait for bass redirect in entertainment mode.

i thought the 3 modes, they each utilized different algorithms on the card and certain circuits, so theres really no difference in ENTERTAINMENT and GAMING as far as how the cards components and software is utilized? because i really need bass redirect to run this sub...and emailed tech support still just a flat 'try adjusting bass and treble in windows sound control panel' when i ask for bass redirect in ent. mode....ugh

Does the X-FI support Vista room correction?
I have not seen it but maybe I am missing something.

- Rich

you REALLY should put the stock amps back in, listen to 2.0 for a while, THEN put in the new opamps and repeat the listening....

I need help with the new amps. I dunno how to install them i only bought to realize i need 2 of these also i dont think i got a adaptor is it already fitted on the amp or comes separate. Sorry for the silly questions am new to this modding.

Damn i think i damaged the old OPAMP i connected it back up and it didnt work the pins look fine on it. Could i also have damaged the new one aswell?

hi jim, yes, thats what i plan to do, since it was about 10 seconds to add/remove either, ive read your posts for years with my xfi, i guess you know for sure that the center/surrounds cant be hardware modified?

also, after 4 emails i finally got a real response from auzentech, they said that they put in the request today to creative (i guess creative provides the proper 'paths' in software for auzentech) so that in the next revision bass redirect will be in entertainment mode.

blingo, the one they mail you, i 'believe' that youll see theres one opamp on top, and one of the bottom, of the 8 pin adapter they sent you. i just used my fingers to pull off the old and then popped the new right in. if youre working on anything with pins, make sure to try to go on as little angle as possible so you dont bend the pins out of alignment. make sure you put the old one in correctly, the small indentation should be facing the cards edge, representing pin1.

So do i need to order another one mate? Am seriously lost about this i work in IT but this is confusing lol.

I ordered this
http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/opamp_637au.php

Could you tell me how i separate these 2 amps and connect them if thats what am meant to do

many thanks.

Could it be because i only ordered one so they didnt come attached at first i only thought you need one then i found out today i need another one.

If i have to order another one were can i get the adaptor from it doesnt let me order it on there site.

Thanks again

they mounted both opamps (see the small chips) on the little board (which has the 8 pins out of it), and so mounting that one part is all thats needed for left and right. because the left and right opamps have been mounted to a single part to make it easier for end users)
thats why it rises up a bit. but i could be wrong...but i know that alls working fine here, with the new piece ensure that PIN1 is facing outside of the soundcard when mounted

Thanks mate that has cleared it all up for me : ) am going to try do this now. Did you were any anti static equipment. At work i never were it but never deal with things this small just ram hard disk etc.

I think i killed mine. I got the pin 1 facing out and is the pin at the top of the card and the writing at the bottom is the right way i double checked there guide and i got it fitted right i also checked to see if its in properly but not to much force and the front channels dont work the rest are fine inc sub i double checked wiring thats all ok vol are all up in the audio panel.

I tried fitting the old ones back and that didnt work either. Could it be the soundcard?

Thanks i will check to see if they are going into the smaller socket, are they 2 grooves, could it be going into the wrong one? Also when you fit the new ones how easy is it to get it back out because mine isnt that difficult so made me wonder if its sitting in properly. When i take it back out all the pins are straight does it sound like they going into the right groove?

Thanks again for the help.

From this image which holes does it go in? I doubt the pins go in the holes closer to the centre because the OPAMP is wide.

I think something is dead on the board am going to send it back. Both OPAMP aint working i put it back the old one exactly how it was but still wouldnt work i checked and rechecked the cables i even tried putting the rear channel analog cable in the front input but still didnt work.

I picked up this card based on the coming daughtercard and the opamps. I can't find any reviews on the sound quality of the new opamps versus the the installed ones. Are there any? If not can anyone who has them post their thoughts?

Thanks.

Hello,

I'm trying to figure what best to get for my htpc and I'd like your help.

I will use the htpc mostly for listening to mp3s, and occasionally for playing games. I have a Panasonic digital (XR-55?) receiver connected to nice Axiom speakers (currently 6.1, but I wouldn't mind using it in 5.1 or 7.1).

Here's the dilemma. It seems that the reason to buy the Prelude is for its nice components and the x-fi chip. But, these seem to only benefit the analog outputs... is this correct?

In other words, if I connect the soundcard to the receiver via digital out, and play mp3 music, I will not be getting any of the benefits? Or would the x-fi processing and the nice components still benefit me even if I use the digital out?

Also, since my receiver is digital, does it make sense to hook it up via analog since the Prelude has better DACs?

Ultimately, am I gonna get much from the Prelude (from my setup) or would I be just as well off getting a cheaper card with digital out?

Thank you