Sound Blaster Z, Zx or ZxR?

[RealitySpeaks]

So after reviewing all my components, I shaved off about 200-300$ off and I was thinking about investing in a Sound Blaster sound card. I am an audiophile and I have been told that my MoBo: Asus P9X79 Pro doesn't have the most fantastic sound ever. So I would love to hear your suggestions on the following: Should I buy one of these cards? If so, which one and why. Or should I skip a sound card all together? Thanks alot!

 

[Pinhedd]

If you were to remove the cover on the sound core 3d, you would find a very simmilar chip. The sound core 3d does have a higher SNR value, but the X-fi titanium has 32 bit audio, something that the Sound Core 3d can't match.
The X-fi can also process audio, without help from the CPU, also something the Sound Core 3d can't match.

This is per Creatives website:

"•Max. Playback Quality

24-bit / 192kHz (Stereo-Direct Mode)
24-bit / 96kHz (5.1)

•Audio Fidelity

Up to 24-bit / 192kHz"

Not sure where you are getting your information but the X-Fi Titanium HD has the same audio specs (almost) as the Z series. 24bit is the normal max audio quality.

Also the X-Fi Titanium HD does not have a good of a headphone amp (330Ohms vs 600Ohms) which means it wont be able to drive higher end headphones as well as the Z series.

Pinhedd,

I had heard of that. I never got that just that I had to go in and change modes to get audio to work with every boot up of the system.

Honestly, you should move to a Z. Its just as good, if not better, and has some nice features.

First of all you have not had to restart to change modes, sense the first X-fi cards. The Titanium comes with audio mode switcher, so you do not even have to switch modes manually at all.

here is proof that you can get 32 bit 7.1 Chanel sound out of an X-fi Titanium.

X-fi Titanuim Windows 8 64 bit Sound Properties

As I said, I got my info straight from Creatives website about the X-Fi Titanium HD

So unless it really is 32Bit that could just be emulation.

And no, you didn't have to change the modes in 7 to get the audio to work again. In 7 I could set my Game mode to on and save the settings and it would boot with those settings. In 8/8.1 it never kept settings and the sound would not work until I changed the mode. After that it worked fine but every boot up I had to change the mode to get audio out, which is a pain in the ass.

Bottom Line The X-fi Titanium, and the Z both have their strengths and weaknesses, but if you already have an X-fi Titanium, there is no need to upgrade. This does not go for the older, non PCIe X-fi models. For me personally, one reason that I will NEVER get a Z is the lack of 7.1 sound.

So then the X-Fi you have is also no good. It only supports 5.1 total channels.

Again, per Creatives spec sheet.

First of all I have a X-fi Titanium, not Titanium hd. Per creative's website, as well as the box, and creative console, my card is 7.1. the 32 bit is not emulated, I can hear a noticeable sound difference between 24 and 32 bit, and when playing a 32 bit audio file, the sound is not compressed down to 24 bit

Your card supports 32-bit integer inputs, but has only a 24-bit DAC. Most older audio codecs are designed around 16-bit inputs and may not function properly if fed 24-bit or 32-bit inputs.

It's very hard to tell the difference between a 16-bit input that's upscaled to a 24-bit output and a native 24-bit input. It's impossible to tell the difference between a native 24-bit input and a downsampled 32-bit input.

 

[computertech82]

The Asus Xonar DS is a pretty good one. I always had problems with drivers for sound blaster cards.

 

[nunoleite46]

Hi
Same problem here

Install latest drivers: SBXF_PCDRV_L11_2_18_0015A

Set the SB console how you like it then put computer to sleep.

Then wake and shut down. (not restart)

Turn computer back on & console should remember settings.

At least mine did

This problem drove me mad but has worked 100% since trying this.
I believe its something to do with the speed of a restart not allowing the respective settings to be saved..

Tell me if this works

So after reviewing all my components, I shaved off about 200-300$ off and I was thinking about investing in a Sound Blaster sound card. I am an audiophile and I have been told that my MoBo: Asus P9X79 Pro doesn't have the most fantastic sound ever. So I would love to hear your suggestions on the following: Should I buy one of these cards? If so, which one and why. Or should I skip a sound card all together? Thanks alot!

Most motherboards have RealTek and its audio is pretty bland.

If I were you, just get the Z. The Zx just has a sound controller and the ZxR has a bit better SnR but is still the same card.

I just got the Z and so far I love it. If you have high quality audio like FLAC you will love listening to it. Games and movies sound great. Also it has both a line out and dedicated headphone jack so no need to switch or worry about front panel connectors.

What is the point of getting the Zx or Zxr? I mean, they are both awfully expensive and I don't know what they bring to the table besides the Zx introducing the little module thing and the Zxr having a daughter card. I do not mind spending a little more cash. Do you think I should get the Zx or Zxr? Or should I stick with the Z like you recommended?

As I said the ZxR has a bit better SnR than the Z/Zx(124DB vs 116DB) but other than that its the same card as the Z and the Zx.

Unless you plan on using the sound module, then the Z is the same card and I can tell you it is still great quality audio and I would save the money and put the rest towards more RAM or a larger SSD etc.

Don't get any of the Z series, the sound core 3d is just a glorified codec, not a true audio processor, if you want good real audio, get an X-fi Titanium, or X-fi Titanium HD if you need more power.

From what I have read, SoundCore 3D is actually the same processor as the X-Fi.

The difference is that they have actually integrated audio codecs into the core instead of having to have a separate chip

So what you have said is pretty much just bunk.

The X-Fis are great cards and not to be overlooked but the Z series also provides great audio and supports all the same features the X-Fis did, which would mean it could not be just a codec or it would lack the higher SnR rating, no 24Bit 192Khz sampling or some of the other features.

I've heard that the drivers for the older Creative sound cards are really... stressful to say the least.

I can't speak for all of the X-Fis but my older X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatality Pro had issues with 8 and 8.1. XP, Vista and 7 were fine for the most part but in 8 I would have to change modes every boot up. Its a known issue with some of the X-Fis and they haven't fixed it. The last driver update was in January which was just the older 7 driver certified for 8.

 

[gamerk316]

Bottom Line The X-fi Titanium, and the Z both have their strengths and weaknesses, but if you already have an X-fi Titanium, there is no need to upgrade. This does not go for the older, non PCIe X-fi models. For me personally, one reason that I will NEVER get a Z is the lack of 7.1 sound.

Thats the ONE reason why I still tend to recomend the DX at the sub-$100 price point. For headphone use though, the Z is a much better option then the DG(X), despite its higher price.

The DX/Z are so good, its kinda hard to recommend anything else in most cases below the super-high end (STX/Phoebus/ZxR); middle just doesn't offer enough to be attractive.

(Still rocking my Xense)

 

[russel_22]

Don't get any of the Z series, the sound core 3d is just a glorified codec, not a true audio processor, if you want good real audio, get an X-fi Titanium, or X-fi Titanium HD if you need more power.

From what I have read, SoundCore 3D is actually the same processor as the X-Fi.

The difference is that they have actually integrated audio codecs into the core instead of having to have a separate chip

So what you have said is pretty much just bunk.

The X-Fis are great cards and not to be overlooked but the Z series also provides great audio and supports all the same features the X-Fis did, which would mean it could not be just a codec or it would lack the higher SnR rating, no 24Bit 192Khz sampling or some of the other features.

I've heard that the drivers for the older Creative sound cards are really... stressful to say the least.

I can't speak for all of the X-Fis but my older X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatality Pro had issues with 8 and 8.1. XP, Vista and 7 were fine for the most part but in 8 I would have to change modes every boot up. Its a known issue with some of the X-Fis and they haven't fixed it. The last driver update was in January which was just the older 7 driver certified for 8.

Dear, set your desired audio settings & then you have to standby your PC for one time & wake-up again. This will save your preferred audio setting. But whenever you make changes to the audio settings, you have to do this again. Windows save the audio settings when you standby the PC, It is a driver bug for this series of cards.
I own same card & its works.
Thanks...

 

[4Ryan6]

First off I am a gamer so the computer discrete sound cards I choose their top priority is the 3D surround environmental position gaming, I am also an audiophile but I do not use my computer for that, I use my home stereo.

I also have 2 DJ computers dedicated to audio sound output, but they both run M-Audio dedicated stereo sound cards.

When it comes to gaming sound cards Creative is the master period!

I had my eye on the Sound Blaster Z for quite some time but until Newegg dropped $40.00 off it's price I stayed with my X-FI Extreme Gamer Fatal1ty Pro and I really still wasn't sure I was not wasting my money, however after running it on Win7 and gaming with it, I have to say the Sound Blaster Z is one of the best gaming sound cards from Creative yet.

It also plays back music quite nice as well, but it is not dedicated to that, so the ZX or above would be what you'd want if you have no interest in gaming.

Talk is cheap but hearing is believing!

My 2 cents! Ryan

 

[Sandor Keller]

So after reviewing all my components, I shaved off about 200-300$ off and I was thinking about investing in a Sound Blaster sound card. I am an audiophile and I have been told that my MoBo: Asus P9X79 Pro doesn't have the most fantastic sound ever. So I would love to hear your suggestions on the following: Should I buy one of these cards? If so, which one and why. Or should I skip a sound card all together? Thanks alot!

Most motherboards have RealTek and its audio is pretty bland.

If I were you, just get the Z. The Zx just has a sound controller and the ZxR has a bit better SnR but is still the same card.

I just got the Z and so far I love it. If you have high quality audio like FLAC you will love listening to it. Games and movies sound great. Also it has both a line out and dedicated headphone jack so no need to switch or worry about front panel connectors.

What is the point of getting the Zx or Zxr? I mean, they are both awfully expensive and I don't know what they bring to the table besides the Zx introducing the little module thing and the Zxr having a daughter card. I do not mind spending a little more cash. Do you think I should get the Zx or Zxr? Or should I stick with the Z like you recommended?

 

[Sandor Keller]

If you have the windowed pc case and if you care about the look inside the your pc case than i dont recommend the ZXR, because that Ugly Connector to the daughter Card, they should of made the connector like SLI or something, but they made the connection on the long card at the and and also the daughter card has the connection at the end, but they should of place the connection on the long sound card at the front to line up with the daughter card, and make a smaller connector, or just make a much longer connector, so than you can hide the connector behind the sound cards, but the quality is good, so maybe i just sell this one and get the ZX, cause its petty much same quality and just one Sound Card and it looks much better than 2 sound cards with the Ugly Connector...