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12-07-2006, 05:54 PM
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#1
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Little Elm, Texas
Posts: 13,481
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Hardware Review: Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1
I'm going to style this after durwoods review of the Audiotrek. It just made things easier!
Hardware Review: Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1
What it is/does: High Performance 8 Channel Audiophile PCI soundcard
Reviewed by: RedGTiVR6
Manufacturer : Auzentech
Model: Auzen X-Meridian 7.1
Specs:
- The C-Media Oxygen HD CMI8788 Audio Processor is the heart of the AUZEN X-MERIDIAN 7.1.
- 4 pcs 24-bit/192kHz AK4396VF (120dB-part spec.) DACs for 7.1channel output. (24-bit/192kHz in 7.1channel playback)
- 1 pc 24-bit/192kHz AK5385VF(114dB-part spec.) ADC input (24-bit/192kHz recording)
- 1 pc CMI9780 AC'97 2.3 CODEC for AUX input, CD input, MIC input (16bit/48kHz playback/recording)
- Integrated up to 192k/24-bit S/PDIF transmitter for 44.1kHz,48kHz, 96kHz, 192kHz SPDIF output.
- Supports onboard high grade special COAX+OPTIC combo type transmitter module for up to 192kHz SPDIF out.
- Integrated up to 192k/24-bit S/PDIF receiver for 44.1kHz,48kHz, 96kHz, 192kHz SPDIF input.
- Supports onboard high grade special COAX+OPTIC combo type receiver module for up to 192kHz SPDIF input.
- Standard 10PIN Front Panel Audio supports connectivity for stereo audio output and a microphone input from most new chassis. (All 7.1channel analog output muted by jack connection sense of front panel headphone out / Dual MIC input available by back panel mic input and front panel mic input)
- DTS® Interactive - A real-time 5.1 channel encoder.
- DTS® Neo:PC - An upmix matrix technology.
- Dolby® Digital Live (DDL) - A real-time 5.1 channel encoding.
- Dolby® ProLogic IIx surround processor spreading stereo audio into 7.1 channel surround sound.
- Dolby® Headphone technology, conveying 5.1 surround and 3D gaming audio over stereo headphones.
- Dolby® Virtual Speaker solution, bringing amazing virtual surround sound fields via general two speakers.
- C-Media FlexBass™ - LFE channel crossover frequency setable from range 50 to 250Hz in Small speaker mode and Small/Large speaker selectable.
- C-Media Magic Voice™, popular feature for disguising your tone in online chatting.
- C-Media Xear 3D™ 7.1 Virtual Speaker Shifter technology.
- C-Media’s unique Karaoke functions: Microphone Echo, Key-shifting.
- Individual 10-band EQ for each channel,.27 global reverberation environments.
- Supports most industrial standards of 3D sound for PC gaming, including EAX™ 1.0 & 2.0, A3D™ 1.0, and DirectSound™.
- Swappable DIP type OPAMP controlled preamp out circuit (4pcs output control OPAMP IC with DIY socket)
- Surface mount type OPAMP controlled preamp input circuit (2pcs input control OPAMP for ADC and 1pc MIC input gain control)
- 5Vrms (Differential DAC output with gain adjustment / approximately full swing from +/- 8V dual power supply)
- Proper OPAMP control circuit (large capacity 1A +8V, -8V, dual power supply circuit) for high quality audio quality, prevent audio distortion at high volume level.
- Upgrade Extension available (Extra 6.35mm MIC / Extra Digital I/O sold separately)
- Supported operating systems: Microsoft Windows® 98SE / ME / 2000 Service Pack 3(SP3) / XP Service Pack 1(SP1) / Server 2003 SP1/ XP Media Center Edition 2005 (MCE) / XP x64 Edition.
Price: $199
Rating: Untested, a 9/10.
I'd like to see the following:
RCA style jacks - but to get enough RCA jacks out on a card like this, it would have to have more than one normal sized back plate.
Manufacturer website: www.auzentech.com
Purchased at: http://www.newegg.com/
Pros:- High Quality Components
- User replaceable opamps
- Digital Optical IN and Out
- 5Vrms outputs (tested at both 60Hz and 1kHz to read 4.74v)
Cons: - As mentioned above, I would like to have seen female RCA jacks.
- There's almost too much stuff you can do with this card. For some that might be a pro. For my application, I'm marking it as a con because I want to be sure that all processing is turned off on the card so that I can do it all via the software that I choose.
- I would like to see more analog outputs, but again, I'm sure that for most people this card will have plenty of outputs.
- I don't believe there is any 'directwire' program like other cards have. However, this should be controllable via some outboard software programs.
Last edited by RedGTiVR6; 12-08-2006 at 10:43 AM.
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12-07-2006, 06:11 PM
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#2
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Car Audio Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Chicagoland (St. Charles,IL)
Posts: 1,931
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I am a little confused. It does have something similar to "directwire" or is that ASIO part of the card? Also, does it really have ASIO drivers? I was told no, but their website says yes. I guess I'll wait until you give a full test run. 
__________________
System always under construction
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12-08-2006, 09:56 AM
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#3
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Little Elm, Texas
Posts: 13,481
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I have no idea, right now I've got a lot going on...lol
where did you see the info about direct wire?
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12-08-2006, 10:36 AM
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#4
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Car Audio Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Chicagoland (St. Charles,IL)
Posts: 1,931
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Oh ok. I think if you just cut and pasted from my review it must have accidently carried over from the Prodigy Review. Look at your "pros" list.
I know the feeling. With Christmas, trying to buy a house in the next few months, catching up on 3 seasons worth of 24, trying to get together with friends, craziness at work and then when I have free time, test software and hardware for my new carputer setup. 
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System always under construction
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12-08-2006, 10:43 AM
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#5
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Little Elm, Texas
Posts: 13,481
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thanks - updated....
new job is making things pretty hectic around here...lol
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12-15-2006, 06:36 PM
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#6
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Little Elm, Texas
Posts: 13,481
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Quote: Originally Posted by durwood  I am a little confused. It does have something similar to "directwire" or is that ASIO part of the card? Also, does it really have ASIO drivers? I was told no, but their website says yes. I guess I'll wait until you give a full test run.
Once I loaded Allocator, I found that the card shows up under ASIO, see attached:
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12-15-2006, 06:38 PM
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#7
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Little Elm, Texas
Posts: 13,481
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Also, just thought I would update this thread with some info for those interested in hacking... 
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12-15-2006, 06:39 PM
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#8
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Little Elm, Texas
Posts: 13,481
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And a few more:
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12-15-2006, 08:58 PM
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#9
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Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 7
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This is nice hack .... can you provide more details about the (I believe it is) rca jack you are about to install ??
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12-15-2006, 09:42 PM
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#10
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Little Elm, Texas
Posts: 13,481
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12-15-2006, 10:26 PM
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#11
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Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 7
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Merci.
I am eager to see how you will fit those rca connectors on the board...
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12-16-2006, 08:10 AM
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#12
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Little Elm, Texas
Posts: 13,481
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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.
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12-16-2006, 08:54 AM
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#13
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Car Audio Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Chicagoland (St. Charles,IL)
Posts: 1,931
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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?
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System always under construction
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12-16-2006, 09:20 AM
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#14
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Little Elm, Texas
Posts: 13,481
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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: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=92334
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12-16-2006, 09:53 AM
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#15
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Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 7
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You can order up to 5 "samples" of those opamp on the Ti website here
Be shure to select the Dip8 form factor ...
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