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Very simple.I've got the computer sound output to a Yamaha MCR-E810 2-speaker stereo system (around $400). Asus MB). This card produces rather amazing sound quality, especially compared to on-board sound (e.g. Best sound I've ever had, and I'm a geezer, so have been through a lot of sound systems in my day. The clarity of sound is startling. You'll hear your ripped CDs with a quality you never heard before (assuming you didn't dumb down the sound by using MP3).For optimal music sound, without junking up your system with Creative's software junk, just install the drivers, choosing Entertainment mode during install. I listen to a mixture of music, including much classical along with popular & jazz.I'm using Zune software, with CDs ripped to lossless quality. Quite satisfied with the setup, other than nitpicks about the Zune software (which is still better than iTunes).
Good soundcard, decent price, decent drivers (especially compared to previous creative offerings)I like how it can switch between gaming, audio creation and normal media mode. So now I'm on onboard HD Audio (It's actually not half bad). Each modes settings can be customized. The CMSS 3D is sweet in games and the crystalizer has good impact on my mp3s audio quality.I'm bitter because I had to put this into my sisters computer to make way for a gigabit ethernet card because my new computers motherboard has craptastic onboard ethernet (30%+ cpu usage). She's very happy with the soundcard (I bet she is. *snarls*)ENJOY YOUR FREE SOUNDCARD SIS.11oneGreat Product
I don't understand why Creative spends all this time and money creating great hardware, but can't be bothered to release proper drivers for it. Workarounds are temporary at best.
The problem is Creative has horrible drivers and they refuse to address issues that have been there for over two years. The issue is quite simply their drivers are not compatible with Vista and Windows 7.
First let me start by saying that when it works the sound produced by this card is much better than my onboard (Realtek) audio. Usually, they will cause a BSOD until you boot into safe mode and completely remove them.
Without getting into technical details their drivers don't install properly on the newer Windows. Some people are lucky enough to not notice any issues, but many do.
Unofficial drivers have been attempted but they reduce sound quality, so you might as well save money and use built in sound. Without working drivers, you're better off using whatever onboard sound your computer has.
BEWARE: Bought and installed X-Fi XtremeGamer in June. Try finding a phone number on their website. Unit did not work in December--verified by a state-licensed computer repair tech. Creative does not respond to my claims under (one year) warranty, and I quote: "Creative offers to you that hardware will be free from material defects ("Defect") in workmanship and material under normal use for a period of twelve (12) months from date of retail purchase by original end-user purchaser ("Warranty Period")." Creative Labs makes it VERY difficult to make any warranty claim. Even email is difficult to find. This is because, and again I quote, "To obtain the fastest, most appropriate service for your Creative Product, you should first make use of Creative's on-line resources to diagnose and attempt to resolve the problem there."My local computer tech says he replaces hundreds of sound cards every year in his business: "You'd be surprised how often they fail within a year." He has two large boxes of failed Soundblaster cards to back up his claim.My previous Sound Blaster card lasted 3 years; current card only 6 months--at $80, a rather expensive mistake.
Hello, I purchased this card nearly a year ago and now find the right rear surround speaker stops emitting sound after maybe fourty five minutes.I'll give a guess that either the chip get buggy when warmed up or the 64bit OS is some how to blame. The 64 bit been an endless pain in the butt. Other wise great sound can be achieved with this card. I find myself always fiddling with the adjustments with each song.
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