How is the audio on the Alienware Aurora R7?

[biggles]

Looking into pre-builts recently since the gpu upgrade market is so messed up with mining and all. Someone here suggested to try Alienware. But I had trouble finding out what the onboard audio is like. Emailed Dell and they said:

"We use the Immersive audio: Enjoy 5.1 channel sound professionally tuned by Waves MaxxAudio® Pro for a truly immersive entertainment experience."

Sounds like marketing mumbo jumbo. How does it compare with the Realtek ALC1150 on my current system?

 

[tungt88]

You are correct -- it is marketing mumbo jumbo.

This is the only place I could find specifications on the Alienware Aurora R7's onboard audio (Realtek ALC3861) -- apparently, it's also in the Dell Precision Tower platform (on page 20): https://www.2beshop.com/pdf/dell/Dell-Precision-Tower-3000.pdf
For some reason, Realtek doesn't list the ALC3861 on their website (the ALC3861 might be a Dell-exclusive product). I have no idea what the ALC3861 is based on.

Specifications for the Realtek ALC1150 are over here: http://www.realtek.com.tw/products/...d=1&PNid=24&PFid=28&Level=5&Conn=4&ProdID=328

My very rough guess is that the ALC1150 is the better onboard audio option, based on the specifications/features (the ALC1150 is very respectable for an onboard audio solution). Of course, implementation also plays a big role (usually the biggest one).

I have an Aurora R7 myself, but am using an external DAC/AMP (in sig).

 

[NyxNightGoddess]

You might try NZXT's build site. You get the pick to parts you want and then you can choose the motherboard that they offer with the best sound and I believe you can even add a sound card if you like. I used it for my wife's computer. There are a lot of options more so than Alienware.

 

[B00nie]

Try a DA3/SA9227 + PCM5102A based DAC from Ebay. 20 bucks is not much to experiment...