X-Mystique

X-mystique

Sound Processor Specifications:
C-Media CMI8768/PCI-8ch+ PCI chipset (8CH audio single chip with Dolby Digital Live Real-Time Contents Encoder, The World First Dolby Digital Live support PCI audio chipset)
8CH codec embedded PCI audio single chip
Full-duplex 8CH 24bit/96kHz DAC / 2CH 16bit/48kHz ADC
Integrated S/PDIF Input/Output supports 44.1kHz/48kHz/96kHz sample rate and 16/24bits resolution
Product Features:
Supports Dolby Digital Live Real-Time Contents Encoder / The World First Dolby Digital Live Certificated PCI Audio Board
Supports the latest DTS-ES, DD-EX sound (6.1/7.1) playback (also including Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 playback) with Software Decoding Application like as PowerDVD, WinDVD
Supports 44.1 kHz / 48kHz / 96kHz S/PDIF Output through both Coaxial RCA and Optical Toslink
Onboard COAXIAL RCA output connector, OPTICAL Toslink transmitter for high quality Digital Output
Supports 44.1kHz / 48kHz / 96kHz S/PDIF Input with HDA X-10 Digital Input extension board (Optional)[Digital I/O (SPDIF-IN #2)]

System Interface:
PCI Rev. 2.2 compliant with 32bit PCI bus mastering modes
Two S/PDIF Input for CD_SPDIF Input (S/PDIF-IN #1), Digital I/O(SPDIF_EXT) Input (S/PDIF-IN #2)
Built-in earphone buffer at Front Output (32Ohm Loading)
External EEPROM Interface for Sub-Vendor/Sub-Device ID using custom driver
16Pin MIDI_IO Header for supporting MPU-401 MIDI UART Port
Four high performance OPAMP for Output control, two high performance OPAMP for MIC Input - increase gain level and improve SNR
Onboard TOSLINK transmitter for up to 24bit/96kHz Optical Digital Output, Gold Plated RCA connector for Coaxial Digital Output
12Pin SPDIF_EXT Header for using HDA Digital I/O extension board (Optional) - COAXIAL, OPTICAL Digital Input function enables
C-Media Xear 3D 7.1 Virtual Speaker SHIFTER technology
Sensaura CRL3D HRTF 3D positional sound enhancement with multi-drive 7.1, EnvironmentFX, ZoomFX, MacroFX, etc.
DirectSound 3D HW acceleration
A3D 1.0, EAX 1.0, 2.0 (powered by Sensaura), HRTF-based 3D Positional Audio (C3DX), Direct Sound 3D SW
Unique Karaoke functionality: Mic Echo, Key-shifting, Vocal Cancellation
Special feature for Winamp broadcasting, VOIP, Online-games, online messenger application: Magic Voice, Support Stereo-MIX recording mode for Winamp Broadcasting
10-band Equalizer with 12 preset modes; 27 global environment effects
Support 7.1Ch playback for Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows ME, Windows 98 SE (Microsoft DirectX 8.1 or higher is required)
System Requirements:
Intel Pentium III 800MHz CPU or equivalent CPU
Motherboard with above level CPU support
At least 256MB of RAM
One available PCI 2.1 or higher spec compliant PCI slot
16Pin MIDI_IO Header for supporting MPU-401 MIDI UART Port
Microsoft Windows 98SE/ME/2000/Server2003/XP operating system with DirectX 9.0a
Hard Drive supporting UDMA 66/100 and 5400rpm
Works in Mepis Linux and Ubuntu as four channel sound card
Active 2ch speakers / Headphone or 5.1ch/7.1ch Speakers with powered amplifier

This is the first sound card supporting Dolby Digital Live Sound (a software decoding).
It sports virtual 7.1 and 8.1 also and the most common features of a 5.1 sound card.

Testing:

Now on to the part that matters we compared this card to a Sound Blaster Live 5.1 card (what we had).

Our test systems at the time consist of this:
AMD 1.4 gig Duron we upgraded to a 1.8 gig XP 2500+
512 DC DDR PMI 3200
MSI KM4m-v motherboard
80gig Maxtor hard drive 7200
Asus FX5700 256 meg (TD model not LE)

P3 550 512 cache slot 1
Asus
512 Megs of ram
Burner LG
Cd-rom (old)
Geforce 2 gts 64 meg

This is a everyday used system we don't use a special system for testing we use a in use machine here.
This is a general system that one might build.
It's no racehorse but it works great.

Ok; Now here's the meat is this a good card for those on a budget that want a sound card other the one created bye Creative Labs.
In our testing all features worked as stated we tested this unit with a stand alone computer use and via the digital out on a lower then spec'ed system. A 550 p3 .
Why; you ask cause SoundBlaster Platinum runs on this system with no worries.
Also that card does digital out to the stereo with no problems while doing it.

As stated in other reviews of this cards stock driver have issues.
So you must run a newer driver version to get better results in some areas.
Besides this all is well.
We did have issues with the unit's digital out and our stereo at times.
This was a setting in the drivers control panel.
Which we didn't really get but it might have been this driver version too.

All test media worked and sounded great.
We tested with mp3's, games, and movies.
All of the files played with no issues at all.

One thing I like about this card is that hiss from the computer is greatly reduces compared to other cards I've tried of lesser value.

This was noticed by a hiss being produced by our two to one speakers with the plug out then when plugged in as well as under other soundcards the hiss was not detected at all.

I was quite amazed by this as it helped the audio shine through after being use to this with other products this card spoils you.
Our computer is our stereo here we all use our computers to jam out too.
This card would be great in a home theater /pvr system.

Pros:

Price
Sound is very good
Features it's a card with a feature no other card has Dolby Digital Live.
Supports 5.1 and virtual 7.1 surround sound.
It is a very fairly price sound card

This is a great upgrade from onboard sound.

Works under linux now unlike the X-fi from Creative

Cons:

Unlike the Sound Blaster Live 5.1 you can't use it on a system lower then a 800mhz.
If you want a hardware card with no software decoding this card isn't it.

Extra comments:

While searching for sound cards as of now there are a whole range of cards now for all types of users.

This sound card should be on your list to try out.

I loved reviewing this sound card and as a first from this company it is spot on.

There is really no way to tell you what it brings out in games lets just say audio adds to the effect of current games .

You really have to hear it to make the best choice .

With this card the state of Linux audio is really improving as well as audio as a whole.

Don't get turned off by the software audio part .

Most of us don't have a new computer that is under a gig anyway.

even with onboard sound(HD audio) I'm seeing reference to looking for the Dolby Digital Live codec and the need to have it.

I for one look forward to hearing more from HiTeC.