Features
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- By David_W @Dec 22, 2008
Security: The PCI-Express independent data transfer structure provides secure performance, important because audio requires continuous-secure data processing.
Sound: With a D/A converter of 120dB level, high end audio components, and an analog design tuned for peak performance, the X-Fi™ Forte is designed to provide the best audio possible for Music, Games and Movies. End-users can further tune the audio via the replaceable OPAMP for the front audio (L/R).
Performance: By using the latest Creative native PCI express chipset, the Auzentech X-Fi™ Forte provides high performance audio processing on-board while freeing system resources for other tasks. With 64MB X-Ram, it processes complicated 3D sound effects with ease.
Key Features
Low Profile Audio Card
Developed around Creative X-Fi Native PCI Express audio processor
Support for Dolby Digital Live for Windows XP and Vista
Support for DTS Neo:PC & DTS Interactive for Vista
Low-profile and standard-profile brackets included.
Minimum System Requirements
Intel® Pentium® 4 1.6 GHz or AMD® Athlon XP 2000+ processor (Pentium 4 2.2 GHz, AMD AthlonTM XP 2400+ processor or faster recommended)
Intel, AMD or 100% compatible motherboard
Microsoft® Windows Vista® 64-bit with Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows Vista 32-bit with SP1, Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE) 2005 or Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004
256 MB RAM (512 MB RAM for Windows Vista)
600 MB of free hard disk space
Available PCI Express® (x1, x4, x8 or x16) slot
CD or DVD ROM
Rear Panel
Rear Panel Brackets
The X-Fi™ Forte includes two rear panel brackets, a Standard bracket and a Low Profile bracket. Use the appropriate bracket for your PC.
Digital Output
RCA/TOSLINK Combo Jack: Can connect to external DAC, AV Receiver, and Decoder through a 75Ω Coaxial cable or optical mini cable. Can play S/PDIF Stereo PCM and Dolby Digital AC-3, DTS bit-stream content.
Headphone Output
3.5mm(1/8 ”) stereo mini-phone jack: Includes an independent Headphone amp and can activate an impedance 16Ω ~ 600Ω headphone or earphone. Also, can be used, when configuring a Stereo system, not using the Analog I/O cable, as an Front Line Output.
Note If you connect a Passive Speaker (with lower than 16Ω) to this Headphone output, it can cause this audio card to not function correctly.
Analog I/O Multi Connector
D-SUB 15 pin connector: Connect the Analog I/O cable bundled in this package and use for Mic input, Line input and 8-channel line output Jack.
Analog I/O Cable
MIC input connector 3.5mm(1/8”) mini phone jack (Pink color label: ‘MIC IN’): Connect Stereo/mono unbalanced condenser microphone and input, record audio from the MIC through the audio card. Also, connect to Balanced Dynamic Microphone through the jumper setting of this audio board.
Line input connector 3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Blue color label: ‘LINE IN’): Connect CD player, MP3 player from their headphone output or line output, and input/record audio through this audio card.
Front Line output connector 3.5mm (1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Lime color label: ‘FRONT’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’s “Front”.
Rear output connector 3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Black color label: ‘REAR’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’s Rear. Connectiowheabove 4-channel system is needed.
Center/Woofer output connector 3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Orange color label: ‘C/SW’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’s Center/Woofer. Connectiowheabove 5.1 channel system is needed.
Side output connector 3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Gray color label: ‘SIDE’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’ Side. Connection to 7.1 channel system is needed.
Specifications
[
Edit |
History
]
- by David_W @Dec 22, 2008
Interface Core
Audio Processor
Creative 20K2 PCI Express audio processor
X-RAM 64M bytes of DDR-SDRAM for audio processing
PC Interface
PCI Express 1.1 Compliant Interface
Supported audio resolution and sampling rate
16/24-bit / up to 192kHz (Stereo playback)
16/24-bit / up to 96.0khz (Multi channel playback)
16/24-bit / up to 96kHz (Recording)
API Supports
WDM, ASIO2.0
EAX® 5.0, Direct Sound®, Direct Sound 3D®, OpenAL
Supported Operating Systems
Microsoft® Windows Vista™
Microsoft® Windows XP™
Analog Audio
Level
3.0Vrms, +12.0dBu max, deviatio+/- 0.1dB
Dynamic Range
109.0 dB A-weighted (1kHz @ -60dBFS, 24-bit/48kHz) for Analog outputs
98.0 dB A-weighted (1kHz @ -60dBFS, 24-bit/48kHz) for Analog inputs
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise
115.0 dB A-weighted (1kHz @ -60dBFS, 24-bit/48kHz) for Stereo analog outputs
109.0 dB A-weighted (1kHz @ -60dBFS, 24-bit/48kHz) for Multi channel analog outputs
Frequency Response
10Hz to 22kHz, +/- 0.02 dB @ 48kHz
10Hz to 42kHz, +/- 0.02 dB @ 96kHz
10Hz to 94kHz, +/- 3dB @ 192kHz, Stereo
Impedance
Headphone load impedance 16Ω ~ 600Ω
Line output impedance 330Ω
Line/Aux input impedance 10KΩ
Microphone
Support Stereo and Balanced Mode
Connectivity
Analog Multi I/O Cable (D-SUB)
4 x 1/8" Stereo mini phone jack for Line outputs
1 x 1/8" TRS mini phone jack for MIC input
1 x 1/8" Stereo mini phone jack for Line input
Headphone
1 x 1/8" Stereo mini Phone jack for Headphone output
Front Audio
1 x 10-pin(5x2) Front audio header with Intel® HD Audio Compatible
Digital I/O
1 x RCA/TOSLINK Combo jack for S/PDIF transmission
1 x 2-piS/PDIF input connector
Extension
Creative proprietary AND_EXT, DID_EXE connector for X-Fi I/O driver
Rear Panel
Rear Panel Brackets
The X-Fi™ Forte includes two rear panel brackets, a Standard bracket and a Low Profile bracket. Use the appropriate bracket for your PC.
Digital Output
RCA/TOSLINK Combo Jack: Can connect to external DAC, AV Receiver, and Decoder through a 75Ω Coaxial cable or optical mini cable. Can play S/PDIF Stereo PCM and Dolby Digital AC-3, DTS bit-stream content.
Headphone Output
3.5mm(1/8 ”) stereo mini-phone jack: Includes an independent Headphone amp and can activate an impedance 16Ω ~ 600Ω headphone or earphone. Also, can be used, when configuring a Stereo system, not using the Analog I/O cable, as an Front Line Output.
Note If you connect a Passive Speaker (with lower than 16Ω) to this Headphone output, it can cause this audio card to not function correctly.
Analog I/O Multi Connector
D-SUB 15 pin connector: Connect the Analog I/O cable bundled in this package and use for Mic input, Line input and 8-channel line output Jack.
Analog I/O Cable
MIC input connector 3.5mm(1/8”) mini phone jack (Pink color label: ‘MIC IN’): Connect Stereo/mono unbalanced condenser microphone and input, record audio from the MIC through the audio card. Also, connect to Balanced Dynamic Microphone through the jumper setting of this audio board.
Line input connector 3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Blue color label: ‘LINE IN’): Connect CD player, MP3 player from their headphone output or line output, and input/record audio through this audio card.
Front Line output connector 3.5mm (1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Lime color label: ‘FRONT’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’s “Front”.
Rear output connector 3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Black color label: ‘REAR’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’s Rear. Connectiowheabove 4-channel system is needed.
Center/Woofer output connector 3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Orange color label: ‘C/SW’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’s Center/Woofer. Connectiowheabove 5.1 channel system is needed.
Side output connector 3.5mm(1/8”) stereo mini-phone jack (Gray color label: ‘SIDE’): Connect Active multichannel speaker or AV Amplifier’ Side. Connection to 7.1 channel system is needed.
Package Contents
Board
AUZEN X-Fi™ FORTE 7.1 Board
Documentation
Quick Start Guide
Accessories
1 x Optical TOSLINK to TOSLINK cable, (6.6 feet / 2 meter)
1 x Analog Multi I/O cable (D-Sub)
1 x Optical adaptor
1 x Full size bracket
Software
Installation CD
Specificatons subject to change without notice.
Tour
PCI Express: Designed for high speed PCI Express® slots in modern PCs
Dolby® Digital Live Dolby® Digital Live converse any audio signal (games, music, etc…) into a Dolby® Digital bitstream (48kHz at 640Kbps). Dolby® Digital Live provides a single digital cable connectio(via coaxial or optical) to your Dolby® Digital enabled surround sound system.
DTS Connect™ (for Vista only) Turn your PC into action-packed entertainment experience that surrounds you in sound. DTS Connect includes 2 exciting technologies from DTS: DTS Interactive™ and DTS Neo:PC™ (Vista Only)
DTS Interactive™ (for Vista only) A real time encoder that takes any LPCM (2 channel or more) and encodes it into DTS® bitstream (48kHz at 1.5Mbps). DTS Interactive™ provides a single digital cable connectio(via coaxial or optical) to your DTS enabled surround sound system. (Vista Only)
DTS Neo:PC™ (for Vista only) A up-mix matrix technology that turns any 2 channel audio into 7.1 surround sound. You caturyour stereo audio (WMA, MP3, CD and more!) into a convincing multichannel audio experience. (Vista Only)
EAX® ADVANCED HD 5.0 Bullets whiz past your head. Explosions shake the room. Take your games to the next level with EAX® ADVANCED HD™ sound effects.
64MB X-RAM Free up system memory and improve your audio quality and performance igames such as Battlefield 2, Prey, Unreal Tournament 3 and others that take advantage of X-RAM.
FP_AUDIO, AND_EXT, DID_EXT Support Intel® HD Audio (Standard 10-1 pin Front Panel Audio) and latest Sound Blaster X-Fi™ I/O 3 ½ “ Drive Interface
Hi-Fi OPAMP (with Swappable Socket – Front L/R only) National OPAMP provide superior sound quality and speed for exceptional audio performance. The swappable dual DIP type Operational Amplifier (OPAMP) provides convenient do-it-yourself upgrade for ultimate analog sound quality and color (Front L/R only)
Hi-End DAC & Audio Components AKM AK4396VF DAC achieves 120 dB dynamic range performance and low distortion rate of 0.001%. Other hi-end components include Nichicon Bi-Polarized Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor, Metalized Film capacitor used in high-end audio equipment.
Digital Out Combo Shift between Coaxial (left) and Optical output (right) with the included adaptor.
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Reviews from the Web
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I experienced a few high end sound cards, but still gave a try of Auzentech Forte. It has enough power to drive my headphones even without a power connection. The sound quality is pretty good at the price range. The software is somewhat slow and not so simple to use.
(Read More)
Had this card in my PC and it works great compared to the onboard audio of my Rampage Formula motherboard (which was no slouch I might add). I had a Creative X-Fi Music in my old PC, but didn't move it over to my new computer (from 2008). The Auzentech gave me back the 24-bit Crystalyzer and surround sound upcoversion, and I do love that for my music. I have this unit connected via analog to my 6ch input on a Kenwood 5.1 receiver (around 10 years old), 2 pairs of Polk Audio M10 speakers mounted to my ceiling and an old 8 inch Soundstage subwoofer. In my computer room, the music sounds much better and games sound great. I can't say if I'm getting any extra FPS in my games or not, but I definitely have better sounding audio and I've been enjoying the card. Great purchase.
(Read More)
If you have a nice speaker and/ or headphone I really recommend this card. It turns everything around after I install it on my computer. With the optical input, musics sound so much different than before. The speakers are fully utilized the sound is so crisp, clear, detail and rich and the bass is also perform much better. Sound card do improve the audio performance on your computer, you have to own it to have the experience, it's really not something someone else can tell you. And if you are looking for a sound card, skip the low end one because it's nothing better than the on board. I really recommend this card.
(Read More)
So I bought this soundcard based on its feature-set, and my extremely positive experience with the Auzentech X-Plosion 7.1 card. It really is a great product, but after about 13 months the card had died. I contacted support not expecting much as I was out of the 1 year warranty, but to my surprise, they asked me to send it back so they could replace it. I got a new card back from them with all the cables (so now i've got two optical cables) and it seems like they revised the model by adding a heatsink and some other minor changes. The replacement card worked great for about 5 months until I recently died again (fails to get recognized properly in windows) after sending a support to email, they responded and told me that they were sending me a new card, without even requesting me to send mine back. While I can't vouch for the reliability of the card, Auzentech has done right by me.
(Read More)
As my 2 years old Forte ultimately went out of service a few days ago, I think it’s time to write a review on this much hyped product. Overall, my experience with it has been mixed (hence the 3-star rating). Its good sides are talked about a lot and I agree with everything people said about the card sound-wise. I mainly paired it with my HD595’s for music, games and movies and the performance of this card is mostly enjoyable. For details on the good sides of this card, please refer to other reviews.
Hands down, this is one of the best cards you can get at the moment, especially for headphone users. The fake surround through the my PC360 sounds quite good. My speakers are a bit on the cheapo side, but even with them (old CL Inspire P7800) there's still a pretty audible improvement over onboard sound.
Got my card 2 days ago and love it so much, can hear footsteps clear as day, the simulation of 7.1 on headphones does its job very well, gaming and listening to music is a blast!
(Read More)
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Features
[
PCI Express: Designed for high speed PCI Express® slots in modern PCs
Dolby® Digital Live
DTS Connect™ (for Vista only)
DTS Interactive™ (for Vista only)
DTS Neo:PC™ (for Vista only)
EAX® ADVANCED HD 5.0
64MB X-RAM
FP_AUDIO, AND_EXT, DID_EXT
Hi-Fi OPAMP (with Swappable Socket – Front L/R only)
Hi-End DAC & Audio Components
Digital Out Combo
Headphone Amplifier
Professional Mic Pre-Amp
Balanced Power Generation
Verified Owner
