by Anton Shilov
08/23/2007 | 10:12 PM
For the first time in history, a third party add-in card supplier releases an audio card that carries Creative Technology’s X-Fi audio processor. The news confirms intentions of Creative Labs to allow other companies to manufacture sound cards featuring Creative’s technologies.
<%BANNER[article]%>“The Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 soundcard marks the first time Creative has permitted a third-party soundcard vendor to use the Creative X-Fi chipset in its own soundcard design. The Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 soundcard will fully support EAX 5.0 and have the same expandability as the Auzen X-Meridian 7.1,” a statement by Auzentech company claims.
Auzentech X-Fi Prelude audio card is based on Creative Labs X-Fi CA20K audio processor and uses Auzentech’s own design of print-circuit board, which allows the company to declare somewhat better characteristics compared to the original Creative X-Fi audio card. The new audio card is supported by Creative’s software, therefore, it features such capabilities as ASIO, EAX 5.0, Crystallizer, CMSS-3D and so on.
The novelty from Auzentech is now shipping. According to the manufacturer, end-users will be able to acquire X-Fi Prelude audio card in the
Auzentech X-Fi Prelude audio card is the first of its kind, but according to some previous reports, from now on Creative Technology will sell its audio processors to third-party makers in a bid to popularize high-quality audio solutions for personal computers, as today the market is dominated by moderate-quality integrated audio solutions, which come for free and which made Creative Labs to almost withdraw from the market.
In addition to add-in cards, Creative targets mainboard makers with its relatively affordable audio solutions. Earlier this year it was reported that MicroStar International will use a low-cost X-Fi chip in its mainboard.