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Creative X-Fi Elite Pro.

T

Trillock

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 13, 2006
Messages
265
I have the Creative USB X-Fi 5.1 and the THX HD 2.1 cards mainly because my gfx cards covered up the PCI slot.

I noticed on our local auction site the X-Fi Elite Pro on sale for £35, so I got it, I like new toys...:D

My gfx cards are now running x16/x8 so that I can insert the sound card in between them.
After having some trouble with the drivers, it is installed and works just fine with the console and IR remote handset.

However I have some cheap Altec Lansing 5.1 VS3251 speakers and now there is no sound from the bass power unit or the rear center speaker, so I can't add a bit of thumping bass, but the 4 x F/R satellites work ok.
On the 'Entertainment Mode' there are software controls for bass and treble, so I can alter things a bit.
I know it is an old bit of kit, but I must say the sound in BF3 is totally different from my (new) USB cards, and sounds sharper and better.

I guess there is no cure for this apart from buying another set of speakers ?
Also, as I know sod all about HiFi is this a downgrade from these new USB cards ?
I have only had this Elite Pro running for a couple of days, and if I am happy with it and keep it, I might just sell off the USB cards, or is that a bad move ?.

If new speakers, any suggestions with a budget of around £60-80 ?....nearer £60 would be good.:D

.
 
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I've been using the Elite Pro for 3+ years. It's a great card. It offers really good 7.1 analog output connections and a bunch of niceties, i.e. volume control knob, etc.

I wouldn't call it a downgrade from a newer USB based card. It will be different though. I'm sure the X-Fi has upgraded it's surround sound algorithms through the years, but whether you can actually hear a difference, who knows.
 
I have been using mine for 4+ years, frankly, because nothing has come along which is any better. Get rid of the USB cards. I am not sure what the Single to Noise ratio is on those things, but I imagine it is not any good.

There is finally something better coming out than the Elite Pro that supports a full 5.1/ 7.1setup in a few months from ASUS. (ROG Xonar Phoebus Sound card). That may be what gets me to finally give up the Elite Pro.
 
It would be an upgrade over the USB X-Fi for sure. Like the two previous posters, I've been using mine for a long time (about 6 years now); in fact, it's the "oldest" component in my main rig. :p Sound quality (esp. when combined a Sennheiser headphone and an amp) on the Elite Pro is excellent. The Elite Pro uses CS4398 for it's DAC, which has been better than the DACs found in most sound cards that have come out in the last six years.
 
Thanks for the replies.
I must admit I do rather like it, and to me, the sound is much better for BF3 and my other older BF2/2142, and I think better than the USB cards even though they are modern and not from 2005 or so.

A slight niggle though, is that when on BF2 (same for 2142) if I click on the 'audio' tab so I can change it to 'hardware audio' the game shuts down..weird.

Another plus, is that I can sit my 22" monitor on the top of the console (no air vents) which raises it to just the right hight alongside my Dell 24", and can now do away with the couple of books I used before.. :D

I think it deserves a better set of speakers, 'cos as I say, I lost the sound from the bass/power unit and the rear center speaker.

Glad to see at least three people still running the card and are happy with it.
 
I contest, I have the X-FI elite pro and love it. I had it for about 4 years now and it works fantastic. Having the plug in hug is great, easy access. Works wonderful with darkvoice 336se amp paried with HD650 head phones.
 
Trillock said:
Thanks for the replies.
I must admit I do rather like it, and to me, the sound is much better for BF3 and my other older BF2/2142, and I think better than the USB cards even though they are modern and not from 2005 or so.

A slight niggle though, is that when on BF2 (same for 2142) if I click on the 'audio' tab so I can change it to 'hardware audio' the game shuts down..weird.

Another plus, is that I can sit my 22" monitor on the top of the console (no air vents) which raises it to just the right hight alongside my Dell 24", and can now do away with the couple of books I used before.. :D

I think it deserves a better set of speakers, 'cos as I say, I lost the sound from the bass/power unit and the rear center speaker.

Glad to see at least three people still running the card and are happy with it.
Click to expand...

When you get the message, what mode are you running the card in? Perhaps it's not in game mode?
 
i've had elite x-fi pro for about 4+ years, so far no problems The card is very snug to the graphics card. By now I thought it would burn out or crap out due to the high heat coming from the graphics card but it seems to be doing well. No issues. Great card if you can still find it. I would recommend you get it. Also the external console is great, convenient to plug in your mic, aux, and change sound options.
 
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