Auzentech X-Meridian Discussion Thread Part 2 - Page 17

RejZoR

MAD sux, buggy and outdated. If you don't like the WinAMPs decoder, then use Shibatch mpg123.
You can get it here http://otachan.com. But technically, they both use internal 64bit floating point unit to do the math. Only thing is that mpg123 will only playback MP3 files and will cause problems on AAC streams if streaming is enabled in it. WinAMPs decoder on the other hand is capable of handling MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA, FLAC and even Audio CD's (CDA).

ROBSCIX · 03-18-2007, 07:42 | posts: 11,045 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab | User is Online

Actually MAD works fine for me. I have tried Mpg123, but was told it is no better then winamps decoder. I have been using Winamp for a long, long time. I have also been using those plugins for a long,long time. I personally don't like Winamps decoder. The Direct sound SSRC is a good one also but will only allow 24/96..I guess whatever works....

RejZoR

AudioBurst FX resampler is by far better. 32/192 is the maximum you can output, though not many soundcards support this at all...

ROBSCIX · 03-18-2007, 09:37 | posts: 11,045 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab | User is Online

That's what I use. Alot of others use it in here becasue it's a good match for the XM. Good match for alot of soundcards actually. My internal rates are 32/192 but get downsampled to 24/192 on ouput. IIRC.

RejZoR

I'd feed the soundcard with pre-resampled sound. We all know how good are hardware resamplers in general compared to 64bit FP software ones...
So WinAMP should output 24/96 or 24/192. 32bit is not a good idea unless soundcard supports it.

ROBSCIX · 03-18-2007, 14:49 | posts: 11,045 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab | User is Online

My soundcards does support it internally anyway. I don;t use it though. I just decode in 24 bit. Then it is ouputted in 24/192

ROBSCIX · 03-18-2007, 15:45 | posts: 11,045 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab | User is Online

How to get full EAX support on a X-Meridian

A application was developed that links two soundcards together internally. So if you have a Creative card laying around, as most of us do, you can reinstall it and use the EAX processor for gaming and still have the sound quality of the X-Meridian!! I have been testing it with a Audigy 2 for quite a few weeks. Another Guru3D member who wishes to remain nameless tested it fully on a X-fi >X-Meridian Combo. So this program allows you to use the DSP section of the Audigy or X-fi and the output section of the X-Meridian 7.1. Here's the link:

http://www.driverheaven.net/audio-ge...soundcard.html

N0sferatU · *Last edited by N0sferatU; 03-18-2007 at 19:22.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX

How to get full EAX support on a X-Meridian

A application was developed that links two soundcards together internally. So if you have a Creative card laying around, as most of us do, you can reinstall it and use the EAX processor for gaming and still have the sound quality of the X-Meridian!! I have been testing it with a Audigy 2 for quite a few weeks. Another Guru3D member who wishes to remain nameless tested it fully on a X-fi >X-Meridian Combo. So this program allows you to use the DSP section of the Audigy or X-fi and the output section of the X-Meridian 7.1. Here's the link:

http://www.driverheaven.net/audio-ge...soundcard.html

...and since the main card of the operating system would be the Creative card wouldn't that hurt the output performance of the X-Meridian?

EDIT: What kind of audio latency are we talking about?

alg7_munif · 03-18-2007, 21:20 | posts: 664 | User is Offline

I've tried the program and I think that it is quite impressive, the program uses ASIO and the latency is not noticable at all. I used 5ms and it still works, haven't tried anything lower yet.

ROBSCIX · *Last edited by ROBSCIX; 03-19-2007 at 09:58.*

Since the cards are connected internall on the digital level, the only part of the creative card used is the DSP really. The output section is ALL X-Meridian.
Actually it would give a boost in performance to games becasue the Hardware acceleration of the CL card. I have a older rig and I am getting very LOW latency. Also, you set Winamps outputs and video players output to use the XM directly. Games will be processed by Creative>X-Meridian and everything else will be strictly X-Meridian. I have spent alot of time figuring this procedure out and testing the appliction.

N0sferatU · 03-19-2007, 08:01 | posts: 802 | Location: United States | User is Offline

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX

Since the cards are connected internall on the digital level, the only part of the creative card used is the DSP really. The output section is ALL X-Meridian.
Actually it would give a boost in performance to games becasue the Hardware acceleration of the CL card. I have a older rig and I am getting very LOW latency....in the order of 4ms!! That is faster then ALchemy.
Also, you set Winamps outputs and video players output to use the XM directly. Games will be processed by Creative>X-Meridian and everything else will be strictly X-Meridian. I have spent alot of time figuring this procedure out and testing the appliction.

hmm..if I have the will to unplug all my crap to open up the case I'll consider.

ROBSCIX · 03-19-2007, 08:48 | posts: 11,045 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab | User is Online

It's really as easy as adding the card. You don't have to connect ANYTHING.
the program does the rest. You set windows to use the Creative card. Set your medais players to use the X-Meridian. THis way gaming audio will be processed the way it should be and everything else will go right to the X-Meridian. Easy as can be. You can even set the app to start encoding and load on startup. simple.

alg7_munif · 03-19-2007, 11:45 | posts: 664 | User is Offline

Now we don't have to argue about EAX, CMSS3D or other technologies anymore because with this program, I can use anything that I like. If the latency is low enough, both cards will output the same sound at the same time, has anyone ever heard of a 16.2 setup

?

N0sferatU · 03-19-2007, 15:16 | posts: 802 | Location: United States | User is Offline

Quote:

Originally Posted by alg7_munif

Now we don't have to argue about EAX, CMSS3D or other technologies anymore because with this program, I can use anything that I like. If the latency is low enough, both cards will output the same sound at the same time, has anyone ever heard of a 16.2 setup

?

you mean 14.2

Either way you only need 1 sub as they're non-directionally based

ROBSCIX · 03-20-2007, 05:49 | posts: 11,045 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab | User is Online

Human ears cannot locate bass tones that are within a certain frequency range. This is why you can usually put your sub anywhere you want. One exception being if you can tell where your bass is coming form the sub is TOO LOUD.

N0sferatU · 03-20-2007, 08:22 | posts: 802 | Location: United States | User is Offline

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX

Human ears cannot locate bass tones that are within a certain frequency range. This is why you can usually put your sub anywhere you want. One exception being if you can tell where your bass is coming form the sub is TOO LOUD.

however certain spots are better than others. I have mine in the corner firing directly into my couch...turns out to be quite the rumbler there.

Satan · 03-20-2007, 11:32 | posts: 6,637 | Location: Towson, MD, USA | User is Offline

Omg I'm getting so eager! Case comes tomorrow and then I'll be able to start the HTPC!!111!1!!1!111! Finally the sound will leave the 800mhz Celeron and come in a nice 1.86ghz (to be overclocked probably) E6300.

See it Here

alg7_munif · 03-20-2007, 17:08 | posts: 664 | User is Offline

I hope that you'll move the surround speaker to the back on your new HTPC, I saw that you put all four speakers at the front in one of your pictures.

rockonhard · 03-20-2007, 19:05 | posts: 201 | User is Offline

Gee whiz Satan, you settin' shop or sumthin'?

With all that firepower, I was amazed to see that you are just using tiny speakers. Is that an Altec BTW?

Satan · 03-21-2007, 02:06 | posts: 6,637 | Location: Towson, MD, USA | User is Offline

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockonhard

Gee whiz Satan, you settin' shop or sumthin'?

With all that firepower, I was amazed to see that you are just using tiny speakers. Is that an Altec BTW?

In my pictures, that computer is my temporary gaming computer with onboard Nforce2 Surround. Very very very far from the HTPC

I'll show you our current setup for that (It doesn't have a pc atm).

ROBSCIX · 03-21-2007, 07:22 | posts: 11,045 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab | User is Online

Should be getting my Black Gate Capacitor and some ERS paper here soon for some more modding and better sound. I think I might stop there but DC doupling is calling out to me....knowing how it improves the sound quality.

rockonhard · 03-21-2007, 07:37 | posts: 201 | User is Offline

Wha, what did you just say man??

ROBSCIX · 03-21-2007, 08:12 | posts: 11,045 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab | User is Online

Oh, LOL. I have a nice juicy Black Gate Capacitor on order to replace the power Capacitor on my XM. It should improve the dynamics and bass response. The ERS paper prevents frequencies from getting through the paper. I am gonna out this ERS paper on the back side of the soundcard. This will help also. Asfor the DC coupling -I have to think about that one...

Nightowl225 · 03-22-2007, 19:30 | posts: 118 | User is Offline

About two weeks ago, I got my CMEDIA 8788HD card, the HT OMEGA Claro. After two weeks of using it, I can say I really like the card and won't go back to a Creative Labs card. Last card I had that was CMEDIA based was the 8768+ based Montego DDL.

I've noticed in the two weeks I've owned and used my card, that it sounds better than when I first got it. Not gonna knock the X-Meridian 7.1, it's an excellent soundcard.

N0sferatU · 03-22-2007, 20:03 | posts: 802 | Location: United States | User is Offline

I just submitted a nice review to NewEgg on the X-Meridian. Hopefully it'll appear in a day or so.