Creative Sound Blaster Z Series

IanM · *Last edited by IanM; 10-20-2012 at 23:32.*

Creative website product pages:

Sound Blaster ZxR
Sound Blaster Zx
Sound Blaster Z

Press release: Creative Introduces the Sound Blaster Z Series

interesting, new sound cards at higher end price points, but:

Quote:

the new sound cards leverage the Creative Sound Core3D quad-core sound and voice processor

...possibly limited performance in the same way the Recon3D is limited due to the Core3D chip?

Quote:

Sound Blaster ZxR and Sound Blaster Zx will be available in December 2012 and the Sound Blaster Z will be available in October 2012

Sound Blaster ZxR US$249.99
Sound Blaster Zx US$149.99
Sound Blaster Z US$99.99

GenClaymore · 08-15-2012, 16:42 | posts: 5,078 | Location: Michigan,usa

The ZxR looks to be a Titanium HD replacement since it audiophile components on it as well replaceable op-amps.This time around a in-graded headphone amp. As well 5.1 analog and includes the addon board. So thats where the addon board went to, that was suppose to come out for the titanium HD. But never did.

While the Zx doesn't have replaceable op-amps but a in-graded amp still.

Mufflore · 08-15-2012, 16:45 | posts: 9,529 | Location: UK

It does look good, hopefully they have used a quality DAC for music fans.

GenClaymore · 08-15-2012, 16:54 | posts: 5,078 | Location: Michigan,usa

Yea it seem like they did on there $249 dollar model.I wonder if that daughter card that comes with the $249 model comparability with the Titanium HD's Daughter card pins.

ESlik · 08-15-2012, 17:24 | posts: 1,590 | Location: Sault Ste. Marie Ont. CA

Hmmm. Another sound card. I gotta stop thinking what I'm thinking.

Mufflore · 08-15-2012, 17:26 | posts: 9,529 | Location: UK

If it handily beats my Preludes quality I'll probably get one (after waiting to see how other mfrs retaliate

).

Anarion · *Last edited by Anarion; 08-15-2012 at 18:24.*

Event the cheapest Z has 120dB SNR and headphone amp. That's really great for $99 card. But do they have ASIO support, that's the question.

Meocene · 08-15-2012, 19:47 | posts: 203

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anarion

But do they have ASIO support

there's always wasapi exc'.

Quote:

Other features include support for 192kHz direct pass-through to analog out

wonder what that means, and if it has anything to do with dts ma etc?

Anarion · 08-15-2012, 19:57 | posts: 9,163 | Location: Finland

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meocene

there's always wasapi exc'.

wonder what that means, and if it has anything to do with dts ma etc?

Not good enough, ASIO out has many advantages over it.

-Tj- · *Last edited by -Tj-; 08-15-2012 at 20:04.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anarion

Event the cheapest Z has 120dB SNR and headphone amp. That's really great for $99 card. But do they have ASIO support, that's the question.

Yes im wondering this too, and openAL is it HW or same like by std. recon3d?

I was looking for some comparison chart like X-FI vs Recon3d, but can't find anything..

EDIT: found some photos
http://www.pcgameshardware.de/aid,10...e/?iid=1976571

Meocene · 08-15-2012, 20:34 | posts: 203

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Tj-

I was looking for some comparison chart like X-FI vs Recon3d, but can't find anything..

there is a chart somewhere - someone posted it in this forum.

zimzoid · 08-15-2012, 22:04 | posts: 612 | Location: New Zealand

mmm wondering if one of these would be a worthy upgrade for my X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional pcie card, the only component i haven't upgraded for a few years.

sykozis · 08-15-2012, 23:10 | posts: 13,491 | Location: US East Coast

Being that these cards use the Sound Core3D audio processor, I wouldn't expect them to support ASIO if the Recon3D doesn't....

Mufflore · 08-15-2012, 23:38 | posts: 9,529 | Location: UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anarion

Not good enough, ASIO out has many advantages over it.

What does it have over Wasapi exclusive mode?

---TK--- · 08-16-2012, 00:04 | posts: 14,707 | Location: New Jersey, USA

Sry Creative just went Asus.

GenClaymore · 08-16-2012, 00:56 | posts: 5,078 | Location: Michigan,usa

Same creative, I just went to a External Dac amp and not coming back to sound cards.

Mufflore · 08-16-2012, 01:03 | posts: 9,529 | Location: UK

Me too, the Minimax plus DAC is wicked.
But I need a better 5.1 analogue DAC for movies cos the Minimax puts my Prelude to shame for sheer clarity and am too used to it now.
So I'll probably get the Kawasaki ZxR

-Tj- · 08-16-2012, 02:31 | posts: 2,405 | Location: Downtown ✈

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mufflore

What does it have over Wasapi exclusive mode?

ASIO is better by Audio production software because of lower latency.

Idk if Wasapi is capable of 2ms @ 24/96 without sound dropouts.

Mufflore · 08-16-2012, 02:38 | posts: 9,529 | Location: UK

I havent tested latency as I only need it for music playback.
Its perfect for that.

Its worth checking the latency, modern CPUs may be fast enough.

uVSthem · 08-16-2012, 02:44 | posts: 9

Will these card support blu-ray audio decoding? I need my 7.1 lossless TrueHD and DTS-MA. Hell, gimmie DVD-Audio playback while you're at it. It's why I never upgraded from my Audigy ZS.

-Tj- · *Last edited by -Tj-; 08-16-2012 at 02:52.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mufflore

I havent tested latency as I only need it for music playback.
Its perfect for that.

Its worth checking the latency, modern CPUs may be fast enough.

Agree for playback it should be good, but I kinda doubt for something like Steinberg Cubase or Propellerheads Reason or Abeldon, etc.

I tried ASIO4ALL once in Reason and it failed badly compared to HW ASIO.

Mufflore · 08-16-2012, 02:56 | posts: 9,529 | Location: UK

ASIO4ALL did under 5ms with an E8400, your CPU might just do it.

sykozis · *Last edited by sykozis; 08-16-2012 at 03:01.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by uVSthem

Will these card support blu-ray audio decoding? I need my 7.1 lossless TrueHD and DTS-MA. Hell, gimmie DVD-Audio playback while you're at it. It's why I never upgraded from my Audigy ZS.

They're THX TruStudio cards....good luck with Dolby support. The Recon3D cards don't support Dolby, so I wouldn't expect these to either as they'll use the same (or very similar) THX TruStudio Pro software as the Recon3D cards.

-Tj- · 08-16-2012, 03:37 | posts: 2,405 | Location: Downtown ✈

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mufflore

ASIO4ALL did under 5ms with an E8400, your CPU might just do it.

You're missing the point, HW is still HW. And speaking of ASIO4AL, I had some sound distortion (crackle, pops, robotic sounds), idk it was probably program compatibility issue,.. lol I removed that turd and stayed at HW ASIO2.0 ever since

Anyway, yes i know these mainstream cards aren't really meant for ultra professional audio production, but still it can be handy

GenClaymore · 08-16-2012, 03:49 | posts: 5,078 | Location: Michigan,usa

Quote:

Originally Posted by uVSthem

Will these card support blu-ray audio decoding? I need my 7.1 lossless TrueHD and DTS-MA. Hell, gimmie DVD-Audio playback while you're at it. It's why I never upgraded from my Audigy ZS.

Most likey not, The Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 non Slims with the RCA out's and the Deluxe with the 5.1 RCA out did Full blu ray audio thru analog as long you used Total Media Theater/TMT5. Tho your gonna have to find one off ebay.

Unless you meant HDMI and not thru analog.