Looking for an Auzentech X-Fi HomeTheater HD

[CommanderLake]

I know its old but would anyone happen to have one of these laying around that they wouldn't mind selling?

 

[GotNoRice]

What is it about that card that you like and are looking for? Do you like the DAC that the card has? Do you like the X-Fi software (CMSS-3D, etc)?

Unless you are looking for something very specific, you could probably get something similar by buying an X-Fi Titanium and then pairing that with an external DAC. That's what I'm using at the moment, because CMSS-3D works very well for me.

 

[mvmiller12]

I have two of these, both in active use. I like them very much, but... keeping these cards running is a bit of work. I have had both running under Windows 10 x64 and both are now running under Windows 11. One is in my personal rig, the other is in my HTPC (yes, I still have one) and both are connected via SPDIF to Dolby Digital 5.1 receivers. Regardless of configuration, these are the problems I have to deal with running these cards:

1) There are no official drivers that work with these anymore. Auzentech went out of business, and Creative has not deigned to support the Auzentech X-Fi based cards in any way (not that they should have to, but it sure would be nice of them ). The best working drivers I have found so far are the Daniel K X-Fi Support Pack 8.0 Refresh 3 drivers available here.

2) Master Volume control does not work with the Dolby Digital Live encoder over SPDIF. No matter what you have Windows master volume set to, the volume output will be 100%. My understanding is that this is by design and is thus working as intended (I asked about it on the Creative support Reddit and a verified Creative rep responded). It definitely means you need to control the master volume from your receiver - or - really quickly set the individual Windows volume for every new program you run down to ~30% (Thank God Windows remembers these volume settings). I don't know if this applies to the DTS encoder or not because I don't have a DTS-capable receiver, but I feel confident it probably doesn't work with that either.

3) The Creative Audio Control Panel won't remember most of your settings between restarts UNLESS you put the computer into 'Sleep' mode immediately after changing them.

4) Windows Updates WILL fuck it up. Every. Single. Time. Every patch Tuesday, for whatever reason, after the computer restarts the Dolby Digital encoder is turned off. After rebooting from installing Windows Updates, I have to go into the Creative Control Panel and turn it back on and reboot the computer again to get it working.

5) It's been a while, but I have had 2 different Windows updates in the last 4 or 5 years that effectively bricked all X-Fi cards until Creative released new drivers to fix them, and some kindly person(s) patched those fixes into the Auzentech drivers. It has happened before - there is nothing preventing it from happening again, and Creative has stated that they are effectively off of that roller coaster after their last update.

6) Sometimes after you re-enable the Dolby Digital encoder after a Windows Update and reboot, you have to reboot AGAIN or you will get random system noise through your sound system like that bad old days of early ISA SoundBlasters. After the reboot, that random system noise stays gone until MAYBE after the next Windows Update.

7) If you want to use the Dolby Digital or DTS encoders, then you have to have to use "Speakers" and definitely not SPDIF or HDMI or Digital Output or any somesuch.

8) My HTPC and main rig run Kodi. On the HTPC (Intel Core i5 7600K), I cannot have WASAPI speakers selected. It just doesn't work at all. I have to use DirectSound speakers, This does not happen on my main rig (AMD Ryzen 5950X) where WASAPI speakers mode works just fine. This problem even persists across fresh wipe and installs. The practical downside of this is that my HTPC is unable to use any kind of specialized audio filters in KODI since they require the more modern WASAPI mode. At least I still get my 5.1 surround though.


It should tell you how much I like them though, that I continue to put up with all of that shit. Good luck on your hunt. I got the 2 I have now after a [H] user responded to my WTB post about a year and a half after I posted it. He sold me (both with their dongle cables) for $50 total shipped.

Edit: To be clear, I have experienced all of the above problems in both Windows 10 AND Windows 11 EXCEPT the Windows Update bricking the cards entirely - both times that happened, it was under Windows 10. Creative probably released updated drivers for their X-Fi cards when that happened because they "officially" support the X-Fi cards under Windows 10. They have suggested on their support Reddit that they are unlikely to release any further updates and you should definitely NOT expect any official support for Windows 11 (although the Windows 10 drivers work just fine in it).

 

[CommanderLake]

Thanks for the replies and info, I wont be using the encoders just 7.1 PCM output to a VSX-930 via HDMI if that's possible, for years I've had to suffer the nusance of having a part of the desktop that I cannot use with things hiding off screen and having to unplug it so I can see the post screen on my DisplayPort monitor just so I can get 7.1 audio from the HDMI output because the AVR doesn't support my monitors resolution or even 4:4:4 chroma or full range RGB. I know this card needs a HDMI input to get output but I could just use anything else for that like loop back the output from the AVR or my server. I also love playing with EAX so that's a bonus and I still use Windows 7 mostly I just switch to 10 on another drive when I need it for something which is rare. I still have my X-Fi Elite Pro but that's PCI and my X299 Sage/10G only has PCIe slots and that wouldn't solve the HDMI audio problem anyway unless there's a decent compact and affordable 7.1 amplifier with analogue inputs and a volume control I can use with a compatible sound card, but then I have a HDMI audio processor for EQ so I'd have to switch back to Equalizer APO which adds more problems. I've had so many years to think about it I've waited too long and now I just cant get what I need!

 

[CommanderLake]

Still want one.

 

[mvmiller12]

Still want one.

It just so happens that I retired one because I could not get it to work with my new x670e mainboard. It includes the card and the breakout dongle for sure. I may or may not have the super short HDMI cable that bridges it in with your video card. I'll let you have it for $50 shipped to the lower 48. IM me with your details if you're interested

 

[CommanderLake]

It just so happens that I retired one because I could not get it to work with my new x670e mainboard. It includes the card and the breakout dongle for sure. I may or may not have the super short HDMI cable that bridges it in with your video card. I'll let you have it for $50 shipped to the lower 48. IM me with your details if you're interested

That's great I would love to buy it, how do I message you?

 

[mvmiller12]

Oh, it looks like you can't IM or be IM'd yet

Not sure how to proceed from here...

 

[CommanderLake]

Oh, it looks like you can't IM or be IM'd yet

Not sure how to proceed from here...

I use the same name on Discord if you use that.

 

[mvmiller12]

I use the same name on Discord if you use that.

I'll need your 4 digit tag to find you

 

[CommanderLake]

I'll need your 4 digit tag to find you

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