rijndael

heres the latest news from Auzentech....i know its not about the X-Meridian...but this seems to be an upgraded model

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=7665

The first third-party X-Fi based sound card will have Dolby Digital Live and DTS:Interactive

Auzentech has posted detailed specifications of the upcoming X-Fi Prelude 7.1 sound card. The Auzentech X-Fi Prelude 7.1 is the first third party sound card based on the Creative Labs X-Fi sound processor.

Auzentech pairs the Creative Labs X-Fi CA20K audio processor with AKM digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital convertors. Auzentech employs four AKM AK4396VF DACs on X-Fi Prelude 7.1. The DACs boast 24-bit resolutions and 192 KHz sampling rates with a 120dB stereo signal-to-noise ratio. An AKM AK5394AVS ADC takes care of audio input duties. The ADC features 24-bit resolution and 192 KHz sampling rates.

The X-Fi Prelude 7.1 features a single user-replaceable front-channel OPAMP. Auzentech installs a National LM4562NA OPAMP with a rated 0.00003% total harmonic distortion levels on the X-Fi Prelude 7.1. The other six channels feature TI OPA2134 SoundPlus OPAMPs. The TI OPAMPs are not replaceable.

The new X-Fi Prelude 7.1 takes advantage of all X-Fi sound processor features including EAX Advanced HD 5.0, CMSS-3D, X-Fi Crystalizer and SoundFonts. Auzentech also installs 64MB of X-RAM on the X-Fi Prelude 7.1.

Eventually the Auzentech X-Fi Prelude 7.1 will feature multi-channel audio encoding technologies. Auzentech plans to add Dolby Digital Live support in Q4’2007 for Windows Vista and XP. DTS Interactive and DTS NEO:PC support is planned for Q1’2008 for Windows Vista and XP operating systems.

__________________
Trouble deciding on car speakers? Clicky Clicky
My Myspace page (view my pics for carputer worklog)
Speakers: DLS Ultimate Iridium 6.3 Link
Subwoofer: TC-9 15"
Amplifier#1 (Front Stage): DLS Ultimate A4
Amplifier#2 (Sub) DLS Ultimate A6

Iceman_jkh

I wouldnt say its upgraded with respect to sound quality. It does have EAX 5 (Meridian only has EAX 2.0) and uses the Creative X-Fi chip which is very similar to the X-meridian. EAX is environmental audio effects, which for SQ is useless.

Also, the X-meridian has ALL swappable opamps, whereas the X-Fi prelude can only swap the front channel opamp. The other channels are OPA2134's which arent bad, but a superior opamp (LM4562) is used in the front channel of the X-Fi Prelude (which is the ONLY socketed amp on the board). Conversely, the X-meridian can have all opamps swapped to the LM4562 .

The other features DTS, Dolby, Pro logic, etc are not necessarily useful for carpc/car audio. Pure analogue output quality is paramount in car audio. (ie: SNR, RMS output voltage, stereo crosstalk, Dynamic range and ofcourse how the card actually sounds. Imaging, separation of instruments, tonality, clarity,air, timbre, etc).

NapalmV5

heres my xmeridian

no caps


total recap + 6x AD797


insanely powerful ridiculous crazy immensely db-thru the roof sound


not done yet.. im still recapping..

RedGTiVR6

would you mind posting specs of the different caps you used where and why? This is a great mod and I'd love to learn more!

__________________

NapalmV5

alright.. @ 2nd pic all 74 caps are 6.3V black gate nx

i used stock x 2.2/4.7 = recap

1x 470uf @ 2200uf
2x 100uf @ 470uf
13x 100uf @ 220uf
58x 10/22/47uf @ 47uf


3rd pic is the beginning of 10x fold capacitance increment
all black gate nx caps

1x 2200uf
9x 1500uf
3x 220uf
30x 47uf

since im only using analog 5.1-channel i removed all the unnecessary caps

itll end up @ stock x 10 = recap

1x stock 16V 470 @ T-cap 3x 10V 1500uf or E-cap 2x 6.3V 2200uf or 1x 63V 10000uf Black Gate FK
9x stock 16V 100uf @ 10V 1500uf
3x stock 16V 47uf @ 6.3V 470uf
15x stock 16V 22uf @ 6.3V 220uf
15x stock 16V 10uf @ 6.3V 100uf

though number 1 goal was/is to increase the quality of the caps

i hope all that doesnt confuse anyone and i hope no one bases their mods on mine.. theres no one way of doing it/recapping

i hope its used only as reference

use whatever kind/brand/quality/uF/volts/etc. caps you guys see fit

blauhung

Very nice work there. I've still got to re-encode all my music before I even approach that kinda fun

__________________
(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

I have a Worklog, but I have to take pictures as it's completely out of date now.