X-Fi and DAC's ?

M

M3NTAL

Weaksauce
Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
70
Which X-Fi cards share which DAC's? Is there only 1 "top of the line" card out, or do multiple share the dac and maybe just minus panel or outboard connections?
 
My understanding is that only the Elite Pro uses the "Cirrus Logic digital-to-analog converters with about 116dB SNR". Everything else, including the Fatal1ty versions use the standard DAC.

The Audigy 4 Pro uses the better DAC too "The main circuit is now stamped Audigy 4, but the changes there seem minor compared to the preceding version. On the other hand, the digital/analog converters have been changed, and that's the main difference between the Audigy 2 and the Audigy 4. Creative has replaced the Cirrus Logic 4382 (8 channels, 114 dB dynamic range) with four CS4398s (2 channels, 120 dB dynamic range). Their design is more professional, and performance has been improved. Naturally, all the capabilities of the Audigy 2 are here too, including the ones supplied by the DSP."

The Audigy 4 regular listed by Creative for $79 uses the older Audigy 2 DAC I think. I can't vouch for these guys, but I found the Audigy 4 Pro listed here: http://www.pricegrabber.com/user_sales_getprod.php?masterid=4943723&lot_id=4021658 for $116!
 
yossarian said:
My understanding is that only the Elite Pro uses the "Cirrus Logic digital-to-analog converters with about 116dB SNR". Everything else, including the Fatal1ty versions use the standard DAC.
Click to expand...

my understanding as well. pro has the CD4398.
 
Elite Pro is the ticket for gaming/music unless you know how to mod a soundcard.
 
Keep in mind to even come close to hearing the difference in the DACs, you are going to either need a good set of cans (headphones) or a good speaker set up.
 
X-Fi XtremeMusic, Platinum, Fatal1ty FPS, and XtremeGamer uses a JRC NJM4556 opamp for the main channels and three ST4558 opamps for the surrounds. They utilize the CS4382 DAC, which we will prove is a very good DAC. The X-Fi Elite Pro uses the JRC NJM2114 opamp for the main, three JRC NJM2068 for the surrounds, and the even better CS4398 DAC, which is the same DAC used in the Lynx, E-MU 1820, Headroom MicroDAC, Musiland MD10, Zhaolu 2.5C and other high end DACs. As you can see, these are good DACs.

The XtremeAudio uses a lesser DAC then the rest
 
if im using an extrememusic and have a grado sr325 and hd 595 will i feel the difference if i add an external DAC? like number cruncher or something
 
kamal007 said:
if im using an extrememusic and have a grado sr325 and hd 595 will i feel the difference if i add an external DAC? like number cruncher or something
Click to expand...

Yes, without a doubt. Those are both good cans.
 
yossarian said:
My understanding is that only the Elite Pro uses the "Cirrus Logic digital-to-analog converters with about 116dB SNR". Everything else, including the Fatal1ty versions use the standard DAC.

The Audigy 4 Pro uses the better DAC too "The main circuit is now stamped Audigy 4, but the changes there seem minor compared to the preceding version. On the other hand, the digital/analog converters have been changed, and that's the main difference between the Audigy 2 and the Audigy 4. Creative has replaced the Cirrus Logic 4382 (8 channels, 114 dB dynamic range) with four CS4398s (2 channels, 120 dB dynamic range). Their design is more professional, and performance has been improved. Naturally, all the capabilities of the Audigy 2 are here too, including the ones supplied by the DSP."
Click to expand...
And that's why I can't quite bring myself to upgrade (or whatever) from my Audigy 4 Pro. It's paired with a set of Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THXs (though I have a set of Logitech X-530s I've been wanting to check out), and as such the only decent upgrade--unless the standard X-Fi DACs work some serious magic--would be to the Elite Pro. And apart from the inevitable driver issues (as in the increasing focus on the current line and the decreasing focus on the previous lines) it's not quite worth it IMHO...can I borrow someone's X-Fi Fatal1ty for a week or two? :)
 
Have you had a chance to review or listen to the X-Meridian? They are one of the best sounding analog cards available today.
If your insterested in getting a new soundcard you have to check out the XM...
Out of the box they sound amazing and you can mod them further to increase the sound quality.
 
try the card alone first (xfi), then decide if a DAC will be worth it. My opinion is that you will be very hard pressed to do better (or your wallet will be hard pressed).

people say they heard "night and day" difference between the xfi dac and external dac, but where is the a/b testing? where are the rmaa numbers? if it is placebo, great. i'm glad it works for them, but I say try the card out first.
 
Cards with better dacs then a X-fi? There are lots of cards that sound better then a X-fi. RMAA numbers are great for reviews but seldom translate to sound quality. Alot of devices measure great and sound bad and some devices measure not so good but sound great. The measurement vs. sound quality debate has been raging for along time. Better to read some reviews and listen to the cards if you can....then deicde what you want...;)
 
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