Thread: Hardware Review: Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1

I won't be fitting them directly to the board. I'll be soldering on extensions. I wish I could fit them directly on the board.

Not even a few weeks old and hacking away. I love it.

Did you listen to it with the original 4580 opamps before you swapped them with the burr brown ones? I am sticking with the 4580's in my prodigy until I do a little more research on the opamps.

How did you decide on the opa2134?

I spoke with a few of my friends who have been into audio (home and car) for ages. The Burr Brown is considered the best of the best.

You can go here for a more indepth work log: New CarPC - this one for tuning

You can order up to 5 "samples" of those opamp on the Ti website here

Be shure to select the Dip8 form factor ...

Can you help me out? This card sounds great, but I've got an application that is a little different.

1. I want to send digital audio stored on the PC to the card, have it output analog stereo, then to an analog surround decoder (way better than the digital alternatives imho) then input the 4.0 back on its analog inputs, then use the card as a volume control preamp, then output to the amplifiers. Can the I do this?
2. In addition to digital files, I would like to use a tuner, input into the card on other analog inputs, then back out to the processor, and back in and out again. Possible?
3. Can I do bass management to 4.0 inputs so I can do all the bass handling in the PC as opposed to the outboard processor?
4. How about time delay for the 4 main channels?
5. How about room eq for the 4 main channels?
6. Is there a way to use a physical knob to control the volume assuming it can behave as a preamp?
7. What software would allow the above, or would the included software do much if not all of these things?

I'd really like to accomplish this. If this card won't do what I'm after, do you have any suggestions for me? Thanks, I'm eager to hear your progress.

I'd check this thread: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/high-end-solutions/88359-software-options-for-tuning-post979553.html

Sounds like you're wanting to do software tuning, correct?

Regarding volume control, I'm after that feature too. I haven't gotten to the point yet of researching that option. I'd like to be able to control volume enmasse in the analog spectrum if at all possible.

Originally Posted by noxlord

You can order up to 5 "samples" of those opamp on the Ti website here

Be shure to select the Dip8 form factor ...

how many freebies do they give out?

Originally Posted by RedGTiVR6

how many freebies do they give out?

Up to 5 samples of any ic they produce. Burr Brown belongs to Ti now, that's why they are available throught the Ti website. You need to register and take a few steps before you can order samples. Most major Ic manifacturers send free samples to they customers.

great review!

I use an older auzentech card in my htpc (x-plosion) and like it quite a bit for that purpose and was actively considering another for the car in the future.

Auzentechs have a bit of a following at the AVS forums so I thought I'd link 'em here for some more reading. I seem to remember someone did an comparision benchtest on one with stock and B/B opamps and there was quite a difference. If you need an analog out they're a worthy upgrade. I want to stay digital right to the decoder (reciever in the HTPCs case) so it's an irrelevant upgrade for me.

AVS forum is here

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/index.php?

happy new year!