Introduction

If you are like me then sound is important to you. You need the right headphones, the right speakers and of course the right sound card. With the recent release of Creative's X-Fi sound card there were not many cards that could match up with it, but the card was still missing something; Dolby Digital Live. Dolby digital live converts any audio signal into a Dolby Digital bit stream for transport and playback in a home theatre system. Auzentech released an earlier card, the X-Mystique. This card also featured Dolby Digital Live capability, but the X-Plosion adds DTS connect 7.1. It is the first card to have both of these features so let's check it out!

Features and Specifications

Here are the features and specifications of the X-Plosion from the Auzentech website.

- C-Media CMI8770 PCI chipset (8CH audio single chip with DTS Connect and Dolby Digital Live Real-Time Content Encoder)
- 8CH codec embedded PCI audio single chip
- Full-duplex 8CH 24bit/96kHz DAC / 2CH 16bit/48kHz ADC
- Integrated S/PDIF input/output supports 44.1kHz/48kHz/96kHz sample rate and 16/24bits resolution
- The world's first DTS" Connect logo program certificated PCI audio board
- DTSr Interactive : A real-time 5.1 encoder that takes any 2 or more channel and encodes it into DTSr bit stream. DTSr Interactive provides a single cable connection via S/PDIF digital audio output to a DTSr enabled surround sound system by encoding all audio into a DTSr compatible bit stream at 1.5Mbps
- DTSr Neo:PC : An up mixing matrix technology that turns any 2 channel audio into 7.1 surround sound. DTSr Neo:PC, based upon DTSr Neo:6 matrix surround technology, transforms any stereo content such as MP3, WMA or CD audio, into a 7.1-channel surround sound experience
- Dolbyr Digital Live(DDL) Real-Time Content Encoder converts PC audio into a 5.1 channel Dolbyr Digital bit stream
- Swappable dual DIP type OPAMP controlled preamp circuit (4pcs output control OPAMP IC with DIY socket, 2pcs MIC input control OPAMP IC with DIY socket)
- Max 2.8Vrms full swing analog output gain by unique preamp circuit / incredible powerful analog output, improve dynamic range / SNR
- Proper OPAMP control circuit (+8V, -8V dual power supply circuit) for high quality audio quality, prevent audio distortion at high volume level
- Package content: HDA X-PLOSION 7.1 DTS Connect Audio Card / MPC to MPC(2pin-2pin) CD S/PDIF audio cable / TOSLINK fiber optic digital cable / installation CD / warranty card / owner's manual

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