Soundblaster AE-5 vs ZxR

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KillSwitx

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Dec 29, 2016
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Hey guys ... so i have a ZxR that has been really good to me :)
I'm using Phidelio X2 headphones and for speakers, i'm using Edifier 2730RB monitors + Wharfdale 8" sub.
So, right now I'm building my kids rig and i was checking this new AE-5. I still can't understand if that's a step up from the ZxR or not. What do you guys think? ( Both Speakers and headphones )
Any idea if Creative will work a new "ZxR" replacement?
 
What is your goal exactly? When you say "step up", do you mean in terms of sound quality? Positional audio? Features? Preference comes into play with audio much more than other parts of the computer. If you have been happy with your ZxR, then buy a used cheap one off eBay for your kid's rig. You could even go with an older X-Fi which I personally prefer. You could even go with a cheaper model like a Z which basically has the same features as the ZxR except for an inferior DAC. Get an external DAC also, and run digital from the Z to the DAC, so you get the features of the Z while also benefiting from the external DAC.
 
I'm thinking of going to the AE-5 from my X-Fi titanium fatality even though sound wise I don't realy have any real complaints, but those hacked together drivers and utilities of which only part of it works on win 10 are kind of a pain in my behind.
 
Denpepe said:
I'm thinking of going to the AE-5 from my X-Fi titanium fatality even though sound wise I don't realy have any real complaints, but those hacked together drivers and utilities of which only part of it works on win 10 are kind of a pain in my behind.
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What "hacked together drivers" are you talking about? Are you using 3rd party drivers? Creative has released official Windows 10 drivers for their entire X-Fi series and more, and I personally have not had any problems using them with 3 different X-Fi cards on Windows 10.
 
The drivers sort of work, the auto updater always tells me I have to reboot the machine b4 it can work even after a fresh reboot, my speaker selection rarely sticks after a reboot, always defaults back to 2/2.1 iso 5.1

The mixer part of the software package does not even show up anymore.

Guess this kind of things happen when you need to crank out drivers for 2 dozen cards or however many when a new windows launches and yours is eol
 
KillSwitx said:
Hey guys ... so i have a ZxR that has been really good to me :)
I'm using Phidelio X2 headphones and for speakers, i'm using Edifier 2730RB monitors + Wharfdale 8" sub.
So, right now I'm building my kids rig and i was checking this new AE-5. I still can't understand if that's a step up from the ZxR or not. What do you guys think? ( Both Speakers and headphones )
Any idea if Creative will work a new "ZxR" replacement?
Click to expand...

Doubtful its better audio quality plus there's no op amp goodness. ZXR is still the best all around card and you can even get medieval on it and mod the other output stages and solder in aftermarket op amps besides the stock replaceable ones.

http://sparkoslabs.com/discrete-op-amps/
https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/supreme-sound-opamp-v5/
 
I just picked up a AE-5 should be here tomorrow upgrading from a Soundblaster Recon Fatality card.
I wouldn't upgrade but my card is currently unsupported on the creative site so I hope all goes well with this card. I tried out the software already but since I don't have the card yet not sure what I can and can't do with the software tweaking on the Saber chip.
 
KillSwitx said:
Hey guys ... so i have a ZxR that has been really good to me :)
I'm using Phidelio X2 headphones and for speakers, i'm using Edifier 2730RB monitors + Wharfdale 8" sub.
So, right now I'm building my kids rig and i was checking this new AE-5. I still can't understand if that's a step up from the ZxR or not. What do you guys think? ( Both Speakers and headphones )
Any idea if Creative will work a new "ZxR" replacement?
Click to expand...
--

I went from ZxR to AE-5 - my use is gaming, and small amount listen music/video's - AE-5 to my ears, much better sound card. I use Sennheiser GSP600 Headsets.
 
Maybe I should keep both sound cards plugged in so I can compare them but I might have some driver conflicts then.
 
Plugged the AE-5 I think there is more clarity in stuff where my Recon was Muddy with some stuff just based on playing the files on my PC. There are so many options and presets though so I really don't know what is best I have in on the Dota 2 preset and it sounds pretty good. I played the 40K Mechanicus trailer you can understand what the guy is saying =) The thing is these presets for tweaking I mean they have a Battlefield 1 preset but the card came out in 2017 so I wouldn't expect them to have other presets unless you can add them somehow.
 
I'm wondering what is the best way to run this via Molex cable for the RGB I really don't want 2 additional plugs hanging out inside my case I know there is Sata to molex adapters but I don't think they are long enough.
 
Until AE9 is released which does have changeable op amps. Have zxr with bursten ops which sounds awesome. Going to look at AE9 when comes out. Also EVGA has NU card as well. Gonna wait see Creatives new one can do.
 
Comixbooks said:
I'm wondering what is the best way to run this via Molex cable for the RGB I really don't want 2 additional plugs hanging out inside my case I know there is Sata to molex adapters but I don't think they are long enough.
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My understanding is that you can't use SATA power for the RGB lighting. I doubt an adapter would work because it wouldn't supply enough voltage.
 
dark_reign said:
My understanding is that you can't use SATA power for the RGB lighting. I doubt an adapter would work because it wouldn't supply enough voltage.
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It either needs 12V or 5V, both of which are easy to get using an adapter.
If you meant it needs more current than an adapter can handle, these LEDs hardly need any.
 
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Nenu said:
It either needs 12V or 5V, both of which are easy to get using an adapter.
If you meant it needs more current than an adapter can handle, these LEDs hardly need any.
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Creative claims SATA doesn't provide enough voltage for the RGB. It's probably misinformation or they didn't consider an adapter would work.
 
Holy hell does my set of headphones sound good with this card wow I tired it before but just downloaded the Division 2 soundtrack it sounds really good.
 
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