AuzenTech XPlosion 7.1 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

Dolby Digital Live + DTS Connect = Oh Yeah!

Reviewed By: Benevolence on 6/5/2006

Tech Level: high - Ownership: 1 month to 1 year

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: I am a PC audiophile and use my home theater for PC audio. I was a big fan of the nVidia SoundStorm and was sad to see it go with the nForce 2 chipset. I've been looking for a Dolby Digital Live solution ever since and when I saw the specs for this card I jumped on it. DTS Connect is wonderful! I find it to be punchier (in a good way) to Dolby Digital Live and games really come alive. What I wasn't expecting with this card is DTS:Neo PC, which basically turns a 2 channel audio source and upconverts it to a 5.1 DTS mix. I was leary about that when I read it and didn't pay it much mind. It seemed a gimick that likely worked better on paper but I was pleasently surprised to find it works very well and is fairly intuative (each track needs some adjustment for best results - interface makes it easy and fast to tweak). To sum up - Games and music sound fantastic and great performance,too! Very pleased!

Cons: Someone else had mentioned bad drivers. I haven't had any issues with the drivers - they have worked well for me. I did have a Mystique before this card and my experience is that their driver schedule is about 6 months apart. This might seem slow to some(I think ATI and nVidia have spoiled us with driver releases) but they do address bugs and release driver updates.

Other Thoughts: If you run your PC audio through a home theater system with Dolby Digital and/or DTS capability - this is the card for you.

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HTPC - not games

Reviewed By: dave on 1/21/2007

Tech Level: high - Ownership: more than 1 year

Pros: DTS Digital is an incredible experience.
The sound quality is superb in both music and movies--this IS the card to get for your HTPC.
Support for direct connection, coax, and optical all on ONE PCI card with no breakout box.
Upgradable opamps is a nice feature, though it's one I haven't taken advantage of.
Truly an impressive piece of hardware.

Cons: As good as the hardware is, that's how bad the software is. Drivers are updated sporadically if ever (though there was a recent update.) As others have stated, support from Auzentech is shaky at best. It's a shame, too, because the product is so good.

I should note--this is NOT a gamer's card. At least, not until significant driver changes are made. I do play games often, and this card causes random reboots during environment changes (desktop to game, change in level--something that causes sound to be reallocated), and, in some games, periodic buzzing and pops make it so bad that I had to disable sound. I haven't tested many games since the latest driver release, however.

Another thing about games-this card does support EAX (and I think EAX 2) but nothing higher-blame another company (you know the one)

There's also a slight problem with mic boost not staying on when my system is turned off. I have to go in and disable it and reenable it every time I boot or I get no mic

Other Thoughts: I bought this card to use with my Logitech Z-5500 (which I also recommend)

As I said above, this card is NOT for gamers. But if you use your computer to listen to music or watch movies, look no further than this card.

Support problems do exist, but I have never had a problem outside of trying to game with this card. Because of the issues with support and drivers, I take one egg away from an otherwise perfect product.

4/5 - an HTPC dream

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Amazing card

Reviewed By: JasonZX12R on 7/12/2008

Tech Level: high - Ownership: less than 1 day

Pros: I hardly ever write reviews, however I decided to write one for this card. I have been a very "Creative" person since my old 486 days, but every since the audigy days I have been somewhat dissapointed. Never really considered switching, until I tried to find a good optical out sound card. I couldnt seem to get the onboard sound to work right optical/hdmi on my Shuttle HTPC. I decided to run up to the store on a whim and pick this one up. Amazing! worked right out of the box with Vista 64 (which is amazing in itself)

Excellent clear audio from optical, dts is great. I hooked it up to my 7.1 onkyo/AR setup. Listning to music is way better then it was, and better then my ps3/360 were. The included optical cable is a nice touch.

I had no bloated software to install, no issues getting optical to work, done and set up in a matter of 15 mins.

Price is lots cheaper compaired to other companies spdif solutions.

Cons: EAX2 isnt the newest format for gaming, but atleast I have good sound now, easy tradeoff for me.

Control panel isnt the most pretty, but its functional and easy to use.

Other Thoughts: Why didnt I switch sooner?

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Not working in Vista MCE x86

Reviewed By: on 6/25/2008

Tech Level: high - Ownership: less than 1 day

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: Gold plated, upgradable OPAMPS

Cons: This card will not work properly in vista. 24bit option is not available, even though the package, site and advertisments say otherwise. DTS & Dolbly Digital Live do not work in vista even though even though the package, site and advertisments say otherwise.

I was really looking forward to this card. What a let down.

Other Thoughts: I'm running Vista MCE with SP1. This sound card is connected directly to my Yamaha RX-V661 Reciever by way of optical.

When DTS and DDL are enabled only 2 speakers in my home theater system receive sound. My receiver reads DTS or DDL but no dice, its simply not working. I have searched every forum I could think of. Emailed support, disabled onboard audio in BIOS, etc. etc. Lots of people are having these issues. Buyer beware.

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Reviewed By: Kev on 6/19/2008

Tech Level: somewhat high - Ownership: 1 month to 1 year

This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: Great sound production, everything sounds crisp, and clear.

Cons: Can't think of one.

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