Creative Rolls Out Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus Gaming Sound Card

[Ferrum Master]

Here already is so much wrong posted again... as I said... seldom who understand how to compare two audio products, and has nothing to with listening tests. Is a pure torture test, like Cmaris does with his PSU's. No feelings, huge amount of data and possible faults. Even the news post stating that this thing does not have a rollable OPAMPS is a blessing, not a con. Most people don't understand the physics and parameters, that influence noise and distortion plot from variable device characteristics. It is not a child play... go roll some parts in your power supply too, afraid? I wonder why, they don't differ that much actually, especially the AXI DSP based series...

People living in the past, complaining with drivers, should understand, that on most parts it was not Creative fault, but Microsoft. Most of complainers haven't had a card at all, others most probably had a broken product, that needed RMA. Second hype wagon with USB's DAC's do not understand that they are fed on marketing, that is based bashing older solutions in order to SELL, they are the same and suffer from same issues. Including rail noise, jitter, distortion, heavy latency and most importantly - poor design!!! Poor sheep.

So why one earth this PLUS is needed remains strange. This cards selling point is his discrete headphone amplifier section, nothing complicated, but so robust and properly set it excels and leaves into dust many solutions, especially with problematic headphones that are not easy to drive.

They are screwing again with Microsoft software stack, as such features like DTS and DDL are now intended to be in the market and as separate audio stack feature. I am afraid they are risking with the fact, Microsoft will get annoyed again. I am also sure the latency will be horrid again with those things. It not meant for gaming, so basically it is marketed a gamer card, yet these things do not fit there really. You will get shot before you heard the footsteps.

 

[Parn]

I'm happy with my ZxR. If it wasn't for the fact that premium motherboards no longer come with PCI slots, I could also use my old X-Fi Elite Pro.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I see some of you calling out for HDMI to be included on soundcards like Asus's Xonar HDAV & Auzentech Home Theater - Both cards which are long gone.

While this would be nice..

(A) It would be a nishe product. Not everyone has a home theater setup. Though Its probably a lot more common now than it was back in the days when the Xonar HDAV and Auzen HT were released.

(B) a lot of motherboards come with their own built in HDMi for IGPs - Use it to pass audio to your AV receiver. Its exactly what i do.

(C) If you dont have an IGP or a motherboard that has a built in HDMi port - any cheapo 3rd, 4th or 5th hand lowend graphics card with a HDMi port will work for you if you have the space for it.


I tried options B and C - both of them worked but i decided to go with option B and save a PCIe slot for something else. The card i used was an AMD HD6450 that i bought for cheap. Whatever you buy can be even cheaper than $20. Just get whatever pre-owned PoS card with a HDMi port and plug it in. You dont need $80-120 soundcard if your AV receiver is doing most of the heavy lifting. Unless you really need a dedicated headphone amp.

 

[Ferrum Master]

While this would be nice..

Yes... HDMI interface should be used as defacto and call it quits... no USB for sure, it was never designed for it. The only popular device is NAD M51 and NAD C510, that has proper HDMI input and can route it also further... I have a feeling, it uses the same CAT 6023 and 6613 as the HDAV Xonar does.

That CAT IC has a special feature to directly provide i2s/DSD 24/192 and the board layout is very simple. You can feed HDMI and it will decode the signal and feed to you DAC data input. Solution exists, why it haven't gone popular...? I have a feeling, there are some patent issues. HDCP key comes included with the IC price so dunno.

 

[Random_User]

Excuse me, please for off-topic post! But since there was already mentioned the idea of using older cards with a converter. I hope my level of English is enough to understand me!

As for PCI-E X1 to PCI32 converters. There is an alternative one.

Spoiler

There’s also a supplier in Europe. This is Not by any means an advertisement, and I don’t have any affiliation to these companies. I simply was seeking for a proper converter from PCIE to PCI, and found this.

If I’d get an PC upgrade, I would definitely want to get one. And of course, I would like to know the cons, in case if someone already tested this solution.

What interests me though, is if there’s any delay/latency increase? This is a chain of additional connections, and wire length increase after all. So this inevitably leads to some quality decrease. Is it big though? There also might be other unknown yet issues.
But, there’s a noticeable advantage in this particular converter. Since it is possible to move the sound-card away from the source of EMI, like VGA with it’s strong VRM (and possible coil whine), to another separate and own full PCI slot, (not the half-slot solution with hard PCB mounting, like that Asmedia one, and removing the ability to use all IO connection set of the card). And the shielding of the bus may assist this task.

So, in case if someone already tested this, please write the expressions of use. Thank you!

 

[Ferrum Master]

So, in case if someone already tested this, please write the expressions of use. Thank you!

Some Ryzen motherboards will not work with that. Some older X-Fi also will not work with that, depending exactly what bridge is used. And yes, it introduces latency. You would be still hit with bus noise if you have it, no matter what, that depends on the motherboard PCIe line PCB design. If those are hit by EMI from a basically illegal GPU device that spits on limits and EM pollution, then.. oh well... as usual.

 

[cyberloner]

My NZXT case front panel audio works well. Since its a bother to connect headphone and microphone at the back, I use my front connector. I don't hear any noise or interference.

are you saying AE-5?

 

[Apocalypsee]

are you saying AE-5?

No I mean my X-Fi Titanium HD hooked up to front panel connector

 

[Th3pwn3r]

Buy the Atmos or DTS-X codec in windows store and use it on any device... wake up...

Dolby Atmos can only be transmitted through HDMI. Go....back...to...sleep?

 

[Prima.Vera]

Is this better than the X-Fi Titanium PCI-E card?? And why? ty

 

[Ferrum Master]

Dolby Atmos can only be transmitted through HDMI. Go....back...to...sleep?

No... please install it and try. It has a free trial.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Does anyone use dedicated sound cards anymore?

Yes.

Same! I still miss my X-Fi Fatality but alas the PCI slot no longer exists..

I loved the whole X-Fi Extreme line! Pretty happy with my Z though, so no need to upgrade yet, as Creative has been fairly good keeping drivers up to date.

 

[Th3pwn3r]

No... please install it and try. It has a free trial.

View attachment 152043

"Dolby Atmos can only be passed between equipment via HDMI; it’s not supported by optical or coaxial audio outputs."

Explain how I output Atmos to my receiver from my HTPC and this sound card? Maybe I'm just missing something . And personally I don't buy Atmos audio through headphones being good. I have 4 8'' Klipsch ceiling speakers for a 'real' Atmos experience.

 

[Ferrum Master]

"Dolby Atmos can only be passed between equipment via HDMI; it’s not supported by optical or coaxial audio outputs."

Explain how I output Atmos to my receiver from my HTPC and this sound card? Maybe I'm just missing something . And personally I don't buy Atmos audio through headphones being good. I have 4 8'' Klipsch ceiling speakers for a 'real' Atmos experience.

I don't care for your setup nor your real experience. The fact remains the same, your statement is totally wrong as you cannot grasp the versatility of this DSP.

You can set ANY device using properly through WIN10 Spatial audio. And NOT!!! through 3rd parity wrapper. Install the app and use.

Spatial Sound for app developers for Windows, Xbox, and Hololens 2 - Win32 apps

Developer guidance for Microsoft Spatial Sound, Microsoft’s platform-level solution for spatial sound on Xbox, Windows and HoloLens 2, enabling both surround & elevation audio cues.

docs.microsoft.com

Spatial sound with Windows Sonic supports TVs, home theaters, and sound bars that support Dolby Atmos. Spatial sound can also be used with any pair of headphones the consumer may own, with audio rendered by the platform using Windows Sonic for Headphones or Dolby Atmos for Headphones.

 

[kapone32]

That costs just as much as a decent MB with 1220 which is very good for on board sound

 

[lexluthermiester]

That costs just as much as a decent MB with 1220 which is very good for on board sound

No, it's not.

 

[Th3pwn3r]

I don't care for your setup nor your real experience. The fact remains the same, your statement is totally wrong as you cannot grasp the versatility of this DSP.

You can set ANY device using properly through WIN10 Spatial audio. And NOT!!! through 3rd parity wrapper. Install the app and use.

Spatial Sound for app developers for Windows, Xbox, and Hololens 2 - Win32 apps

Developer guidance for Microsoft Spatial Sound, Microsoft’s platform-level solution for spatial sound on Xbox, Windows and HoloLens 2, enabling both surround & elevation audio cues.

docs.microsoft.com

Oh I'm sorry that you can't grasp the fact that Dolby Atmos can only be transmitted through HDMI. It's not really that complicated and DSP has nothing to do with Atmos transmission to a real Atmos experience. You can pretend Atmos in headphones sounds good and say that sound is subjective. You're posting here acting as a high and mighty expert but aren't. I am absolutely correct in the fact you can not output Atmos from this sound card to a receiver or even preamplifier without HDMI. That being said this will be useless for HOME THEATER PC. Understand? Great. Back on topic, while onboard certainly has caught up it surely leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[Ferrum Master]

Oh I'm sorry that you can't grasp the fact that Dolby Atmos can only be transmitted through HDMI. It's not really that complicated and DSP has nothing to do with Atmos transmission to a real Atmos experience. You can pretend Atmos in headphones sounds good and say that sound is subjective. You're posting here acting as a high and mighty expert but aren't. I am absolutely correct in the fact you can not output Atmos from this sound card to a receiver or even preamplifier without HDMI. That being said this will be useless for HOME THEATER PC. Understand? Great. Back on topic, while onboard certainly has caught up it surely leaves a lot to be desired.

You are having problems. Indeed. You are implying your setup issues without grasping the idea as a whole.

If you are limited to HDMI. So let it be. And stop abusing people who use binaural simulation.

You are derailing this, because this IS about the sound card exactly this kind of feature. Not your imagined needs, no one really cares using a sound card, that has no relation to this product. It does not ship with for the obvious reason. You can download it in the store.

The feature is device agnostic. Use anything you have. You do not have to buy special card for it. Watch netflix, use your intel, amd, nv GPU HDMI, so be it. Use headphones, use your motherboard whatever sound card, so be it. Microsoft did put things in the right order here.

There is no such thing real or unreal experience. We are talking about effect processor. Wake up.

 

[Th3pwn3r]

Maybe we're talking about different things because you've clearly missed the point of what I'm saying.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Let's get back on topic folks.

 

[djisas]

Creative should give us a feature rich 7.1 sound card like some of the older fatal1ty models, every new release is 5.1, I might even consider buying an used one for my new rig...

And speaking of Dolby atmos, it would be an interesting feature, maybe adding a daughter board with the required outputs and developing an actual atmos ready speaker setup without relying on more expensive home theater setups...

 

[SoundX]

I'm happy with my ZxR. If it wasn't for the fact that premium motherboards no longer come with PCI slots, I could also use my old X-Fi Elite Pro.

Hello Parn !

I have the same sound cards like you. SB ZxR and the "old" X-FI Elite pro .

I am reading many threads and post and I am overwhelmed with all the information. And you are also the first person I see who has the same 2 sound cards as me!

Could you please help me. When you can and is a better time for you, to send me some links, where I can read and download necessary things to improve the sound? Especially with the ZxR (I say this because the X-FI elite pro, I have it abandoned for lack of use, but if you recommended to put it back ... due the info you give me I would put it again).

I come from reading many posts in this thread :

Making Audio Enhancers Work on Windows

Nobody ever mods Conexant HD Audio driver.....:cry: Did you find any ? very few did but Conexant (now Synaptics owns Conexant Systems and Synaptics do also make UAD drivers) HDA drivers are unpredictable (works with some but not others or does not work with certain Windows versions) since...

www.techpowerup.com

and I am very confused.
Any help and light you can give me, I will greatly appreciate it. If any other kind mate can offer me your help to clarify what possibilities I have, I will be very grateful

greetings mate

edit : I use Windows 10 1909
my mobo is an old Asus rampage formula

 

[johnny-r]

I use to stream DTS and other digital streams via my Creative X-Fi extreme music to DTS receivers etc with a simple digital-out, one of them was the Logitech Z5500 - 5.1 DTS speaker setup for this, it worked pretty well back then but this was about 14 years ago, before that I used a Audigy 4 with remote IR receiver, it was pretty awesome and the remote still works, it worked perfect for home theatre like PC's but so much has changed since them, most of these modern audio streams can be done by onboard sound (digital out) not to mention HDMI audio and then virtual emulated sound via software. IMHO sound cards make no sense today unless you have some personal hobby/interest in still using them. I don't shoot the idea down, like I said I loved sound cards back in the day, I've had many like the Sound Blaster Pro, Awe-32, played around with the Roland -MT 32 midi capabilities back then, even a Sound Blaster Live 5.1 with Dolby Digital out, all were great but that was then.

I doubt I'll buy a sound card today.

 

[icase81]

I do remember people having problems with the OEM versions of SB cards not working with the standard drivers from Creative, but that wasn't Creatives fault and once you downloaded the proper drivers from the OEM website(like Dell, Gateway or HP), it was solved. But that was alot of years ago...

There was a time when Creative wanted to charge people money to download drivers. They said "We already gave them to you on a CD. If you lost it, pay us again." It didn't last too long before the outcry shamed them into undoing it. The Vista stuff was straight up their own fault, too. MSFT told all these companies that the driver models were changing YEARS in advance and to get their stuff together. Everyone except for a select few flat out just said 'Meh... we'll keep using the XP ones.' and then were all *shocked pikachu* when they caused all kinds of issues. MSFT took the brunt of it, though because people assumed that the drivers worked OK in XP, and they sucked in Vista so it must be Vista's fault when in actuality, it was laziness of the AIB vendors.

Creative, for along time, also made 'new' cards that were only differentiated through the drivers/software packages included. So you bought the $100 card and it COULD do all the things the $200 card could, except it wasn't unlocked for that.

Either way, historically, Creative Labs was not a good company from a customer service and ethics point of view. They got to where they are because they were essentially a monopoly and made superior hardware in the early 90's, then kinda rested on their laurels until they had competition. Hard pass on CL for me.

 

[lexluthermiester]

There was a time when Creative wanted to charge people money to download drivers.

I don't remember this. I've been recommending, selling and installing Sound Blaster cards for nearly 3 decades. If something like that had happened, I would have been one of the outraged. It either never happened, or it was one of those very short-lived decisions made by the idiot(can't remember who it was) they brought into the company for a short time and fired because he was making nitwit decisions.

Creative, for along time, also made 'new' cards that were only differentiated through the drivers/software packages included. So you bought the $100 card and it COULD do all the things the $200 card could, except it wasn't unlocked for that.

This is patently false. Never happened.

You're just making things up. Why? Are you trying to troll Creative? Creative is a kick ass company making excellent and solid products. Misinformation is not welcome here.