Took delivery of a very interesting piece of PC hardware earlier today.
It’s Auzentech‘s X-Fi Prelude 7.1, which is based on Creative Labs’ X-Fi audio processor. A quick glance at the card itself gave the impression of excellent workmanship and high quality components.
In addition to the X-Fi, the board contains 64MB of X-Ram to boost game audio performance. Audiophiles should be interested to learn that the DAC section is populated by four 120dB AKM AK-4396VF chips. ADC is AKM’s AK-5394 which boasts a dynamic range of 123dB. Op-amps are National LM4562 and TI OPA2134, and the front L/R op-amp can be replaced by end-user.
To me the most interesting feature has to be the 25Mbps SPDIF output port. According to the packaging it supports 24bit/96kHz output and, get this, next generation audio formats. This has been interpreted by many as referring to new audio codecs found on HD DVD and Blu-ray discs, namely Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD HR/MA. (Auzentech’s own website announces that “The SPDIF Output port has 25mbps bandwidth and supports DTS-HD/Dolby TrueHD”.)
Before everyone gets all excited and needs a change of underwear, let’s remind ourselves that 25Mbps is way, way higher than the limit set by SPDIF standard. Let’s also keep in mind that A/V receivers, even the latest HDMI 1.3a ones, are designed to accept the new audio formats via HDMI only for copy protection reasons. The chance of finding an A/V receiver which accepts DTHD or DTS-HD via SPDIF are virtually, not to mention actually, zero.
So, while the 25Mbps SPDIF in an intriguing feature, I’m quite mystified as to what it can be used for. I should receive Yamaha’s new RX-V3800 A/V receiver tomorrow for testing, and I’m going to connect this card to it – provided, of course, that the installation into my HTPC goes without a hitch.