Posted on Tuesday, 16th January 2007 by Auw Jimmy
Creative has just launched some their latest products. One of them is the X-Fi Xtreme Audio. Some rumours say that this X-Fi Xtreme Audio is not a real X-Fi. Is that true? I don’t know since I haven’t checked the card with my own hands and eyes. Photos below are taken from Creative’s website.
I got this picture from Creative’s website.
The X-Fi Xtreme Audio (click photo below for larger view):
The “old” Audigy SE (click photo below for larger view):
Not really a same card, but let’s check the chipset.
They share the same chipset? Audigy SE (black PCB) is not X-Fi for sure, but how about this X-Fi Xtreme Audio (blue PCB)? It brings X-Fi name but without the X-Fi chip (it uses same chip with Audigy SE)?
Below is the real X-Fi chipset (see the different, it’s CA20K1!): This is the “giant” processor with huge amount of transistors and outstanding processing power. The “old” chip doesn’t have such capability.
I think Creative shouldn’t trick the consumer by providing X-Fi logo on card which has no X-Fi chip inside. Yes perhaps they can emulate the X-Fi software to run on this old non X-Fi chip, but how about the performance? I heard that this card has no hardware acceleration. Well, Creative and X-Fi is well known for its gaming capability. Without it, I will not buy X-Fi for sure.
Most users outside there are expecting explanation from this problem.
Added 21 Januari 2007:
I have discussed this things with a person from Creative. He admitted that the Xtreme Audio doesn’t use the CA20K1. And in the future, “X-Fi” logo will become Creative’s trade mark for high quality sound. No matter what’s the chipset inside. So, from this moment, we can expect a lot of “X-Fi” logo and device from Creative mixed with and without the CA20K1 inside. I guess the price can be used as the simplest method to identify whether you will have the CA20K1 or not inside the device. The lowest on the rank should be the X-Fi Xtreme Music. If you see an X-Fi with price lower than this, expect to find it without CA20K1.
About the sound quality? Only your ears can be the judge 
Posted in DIY Audio | Comments (40)
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February 16th, 2007 at 21:55
sir, i would like to ask some questions.
IF in that case, Xifi audio using the same chipset as CODED : CA0106 – XXX
Could my Sound blaster live 24bit, which has the same chipset, moded in to Xi Fi Audio ?
February 17th, 2007 at 12:00
I haven’t test the X-Fi Audio yet, so can’t comment…
But usually, you can’t mod it until you can change the hardware ID…
February 17th, 2007 at 13:41
do you have the link?
i looked for it, but can not find it yet
All i found was modding from audigy2 to audigy4
But soundblaster live 24 bit has a spec that almost the same with xifi audio don;t you agree with me?
February 18th, 2007 at 02:07
The problem is if you have different hardware ID, you simply can’t install the X-Fi driver on other card…
February 20th, 2007 at 20:09
can i change the hardware id?
February 21st, 2007 at 21:29
compare to Philips Aurilium 805, which one has better sound quality?
Philips VS X-Fi audio Vs X-fi music
February 22nd, 2007 at 15:21
X-Fi Extreme Music is far better than the X-Fi audio or Philips.
July 4th, 2007 at 20:26
[...] . __________________ Cpu: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz Board: Intel Desktop Board DG965WH [...]
October 9th, 2007 at 08:52
i got this reply from Creative Americas Customer Care , when i complain about Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio b een noting more the a rework Audigy SE
her what there told me
The X-Fi Xtreme Audio does have the X-Fi technology, but the chipset is different than the other cards. For the best experience I would recommend the X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatality Pro Series. The X-Fi Xtreme Audio is still a high quality soundcard. Please contact us if you need any further assistance.
January 7th, 2008 at 05:09
[...] same as the current Audigy SE and the SB Live. You can read an interesting article (with pictures) about this bait-and-switch here. Apparently Creative assumes that most of the people who “have” to get an X-Fi have no [...]
April 8th, 2008 at 07:04
[...] es el modelo de la tarjeta o no (revisa ac)? Yo me refiero al chip grandote que trae la tarjeta. Segn la info que sale ac, usan el mismo chip y slo difieren en la ID del hardware. Con respecto a tu pregunta, no sabra [...]
May 7th, 2008 at 23:50
hallo that good
May 11th, 2008 at 13:02
i buy X-Fi Xtreme Audio, DSP chipset is “CA0111”.not “CA0106”
http://www.4gamer.net/review/x-fi_xtreme_gamer/img/12.jpg
June 11th, 2008 at 01:01
In reference to the CA0111 vs CA0106 question, I might guess that it could be exactly the same chip with different numbers stamped onto it by Creative to attempt to end any question whether or not these two cards are the same except for Hardware ID and Drivers. Take this into consideration: the SB0410 (Live 24-bit) is the same thing as the Augigy SE. And it sure does look the same as the X-Fi Xtreme Audio (except for color).
Some more information….
Model: SB0410
* P17 Chip: CA0106-DAT
* AC97 Codec: None
* ADC: WM8775EDS (4 Channel)
* DAC: CS4382 (114 dB, 24-Bit, 192 kHz, 8-Channel D/A Converter with DSD Support)
* SPDIF Out control switches between Mic in and SPDIF out.
—The DAC (Cirrus Logic CS4382) is of very high quality on this card. See http://www.cirrus.com/en/pubs/proDatasheet/CS4382_F2.pdf
I own a SB Live! 24-bit and it is by far one of the best sounding cards I’ve heard for compressed music playback. Gaming performance, however, is just okay. Maybe that’s why they call this other card in question a “X-Fi Xtreme ‘Audio’”, because they know it’s also great for the same things as the Live! 24-bit (audio quality), thus proving its basically the same card. I really do wonder if there are any real differences at all, besides hardware ID. It’s an audio-quality card, not a card you would want to offload CPU-required tasks. Kind of misleading. Could be considered false advertising. If you want to offload your CPU from having to do so many sound-related tasks, get a card w/ the CA20K1 chip or something from another company. I’m just glad I own the one that cost $30 instead of $70. It’s gotta be the same card…. ***naughty creative labs***
June 11th, 2008 at 01:12
ACTUALLY if you look diagonally to the top-left of the P17 (CA0106) chip, I see another difference. If you look there on both cards you will see 2 smaller chips on each. Both look similar on the SB0410 (audigy/live 24bit), but on the X-Fi Xtreme Audio, 1 of the 2 chips looks like it has pins on all 4 sides instead of on 2 sides. Maybe this little chip is the difference? I have no idea what it does…anyone else? Maybe its a different DAC, ADC, Codec, …? Still, does this difference justify a $40 price difference?
June 11th, 2008 at 01:32
Sorry for not containing this into one post….
Looked at my card. It’s a SB Live 24-bit. It’s black like the Audigy SE, BUT, it has the chips just like the X-Fi Xtreme Audio. And that chip I spoke of that is different, it’s the CS4382 that apparently is on the SB Live 24-bit but NOT on the Audigy SE…hmmmm
I think I figured it out….here’s my guess:
The X-Fi Xtreme Audio is a re-named SB Live! 24-bit (which creative no longer sells), and the Audigy SE is actually a completely different, lower quality card. So they took the card I own, changed its name and changed it from a $30 to a $70 card. And then they introduced the Audigy SE around the same time which apparently does not contain the high-quality CS4382 DAC and is probably cheaper to make, which they now sell for $30. So it’s not false advertizing…it’s just marketing. Perhaps their cost of making the SB Live! 24-bit was exceeding the profits and that’s why they did this?
July 23rd, 2008 at 09:28
i just want to know how xtreme audio works in my audio system. i have used this soundcard for a year.. maybe i have not tried over xtreme audio yet, so i dont know about clarity boom treble etc….after i had read ur blog and read the minus of my sc , i have a plan to change my soundcard. i need ur recommendation for better sc…i like music n movie ,i have any option. which sc do u choose? extreme music or extreme gamers fatal1ty?
Thanks for answer
July 23rd, 2008 at 22:12
Hi,
Both will be ok for you.
Thanks.
August 4th, 2008 at 17:16
Hi, Jimmy,
I am from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I have visited your sites and found
some useful informations about audio. This time, I would like to learn
somethings from you.
My friend has bought an onkyo SE90 PCI card to fix to his PC, he uses
PC as a digital sources for his Audio system ( Mingda Integrated
Vacuum Tube Amplifier and Sonus Faber Bookshelf Speakers.)
He can’t find a good CD player below RM4,000-00 to his system, that’s
why he uses PC as his CD player.
He told me that the SE90PCI is 24bit/192 output, but I saw the box
stated something like 24/192 only available by using the Optical /
digital output and Not the Analoque RCA output. But We don’t really
understand because the manual and box are all in Japanese language. Can you
kindly let us know about this matter ?
He bought this card because of the two RCA analoque output, so he can
connect to his Amplifier using good Interconnect Cable directly.
We also need your advice about the SE200 PCI, does this pair of RCA
analoque output is 24/192 ? we are confused.
Finally looking forwards for your reply soon.
Thank you for your time.
Best Regards,
William Chong.
KL.
August 4th, 2008 at 21:01
RM4000? You have a lot of option at this price range and surely better than your PC as source.
SE200 is better than SE90.
All digital output from any sound card basically capable to output bit/frequency as high as their DSP capability. So, if you DSP (on this case, the VIA Envy24) supports 24/192, then your digital out should be able to output at the same number to. But please be noted that you need this high bitrate/high frequency source (like DVD, DTS-CD, or specially recorded audio file, etc). If you are playing the standard music (all MP3 and CD-Audio), the output will be 16/44.1. No matter you are using digital out or analog out.
You have the option to resample the analog out to higher bitrate/sample rate by using resampler software (like SSRC plug-in on Foobar Audio Player). But I dont think this will bring significant improvement.
Thank you.
August 5th, 2008 at 18:52
Thank you Jimmy for your prompt reply.
How about if we converted my CD Audio files using Nero software to save in my harddisk as 24/192 format, and I play the converted audio (24/192) directly from my hard disk, does the output is 24/192 ? ( Digital or RCA output connector).
Can you kindly recommend any good software that can convert my 16/44.1 audio files to 24/192 ?
For your information, our malaysia audio distributor always sell their branded CD player too much overpriced compare with other countries. Even Singapore is ,more reasonable.
Thanks for your time.
William Chong.
August 5th, 2008 at 21:18
Hi,
You could visit Singapore to buy it then
I don’t think it’s useful enough to convert your CD Audio to 24/192. It’s almost the same like pouring a glass of water to a big pail. The volume of the water itself is still the same, right?
When you play your 24/192 via analog out, the result is analog (no bit/digital information). It’s just you software player will recognize it as 24/192 materials. If you play with digital out, you have to make sure that you have DAC with 24/192 capability. Otherwise, you will not be able to hear it.
You can use Foobar Audio Player and active the SSRC plugin to resample to 192 kHz.
Thanks.
August 9th, 2008 at 01:41
Guys, I don’t think you know this but their are drivers now that allow the Audigy SE to run as X-Fi Xtreme Audio’s, you can find them on the techpowerup forums
and yes with the crystalyzers
August 15th, 2008 at 15:33
Hi Guys,
How to install the SSRC Plug-in to my FooBar2000 ?
Thanks.
August 15th, 2008 at 21:35
I think it’s one of Foobar’s default component…
August 31st, 2008 at 23:35
[...] better than an Audigy SE, it seems like Creative have done the old rebadge and device ID switch. Jimmy’s Junkyard Blog Archive X-Fi Xtreme Audio = Audigy SE ??? I used to like Creative, I’ve had Creative cards from a SB16 MCD ASP (retail) – nice, I still have [...]
October 9th, 2008 at 10:43
Audigy SE to X-Fi Xtreme Audio (1.04.0079 modded drivers)
Daniel K was the first one that modded the X-Fi Xtreme Audio drivers for Audigy SE. The last X-Fi X-treme modded for Audigy SE are 1.04.0078.
What I did? I modded the 1.04.0079 X-Fi Xtreme Audio drivers for Audigy Value, Audigy SE / Audigy 2 SE, Audigy LS, Live! 24-bit .
More information you can find here: http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?p=1006208
What you gain? You will have the same sound on Audigy Se like on X-Fi Xtreme Audio.
[b]Drivers modded for Windows XP 32 bit and 64 bit:[/b]
Main site – http://rapidshare.com/files/151893417/Audigy_to_X-Fi_Extreme_Audio_1_04_0079_XP_Vista_4_1.rar.html
Mirror 1 – http://depositfiles.com/files/8593275
Mirror 2 – http://www.zshare.net/download/2023999379688368/
Mirror 3 – http://uploaded.to/?id=mdijz0
Mirror 4- http://rapidshare.de/files/40641625/Audigy_to_X-Fi_Extreme_Audio_1_04_0079_XP_Vista_4_1.rar.html
- Driver for Windows Vista 5.12.1.2007 / Windows XP v5.12.01.621
- APO Interface Module 2.06.00
- Audio Console 2.40.14
- Console Launcher 2.40.09
- Host OpenAL 1.00.14
[b]Driverele modate pentru Windows Vista 32 bit and 64 bit:[/b]
Main Site – http://rapidshare.com/files/151896076/Audigy_to_X-Fi_Extreme_Audio_1_04_0079_XP_Vista_4_2.rar.html
Mirror 1- http://depositfiles.com/files/8593896
Mirror 2 – http://www.zshare.net/download/20242342abc3b91b/
Mirror 3- http://uploaded.to/?id=5d4qfw
Mirror 4 – http://rapidshare.de/files/40641765/Audigy_to_X-Fi_Extreme_Audio_1_04_0079_XP_Vista_4_2.rar.html
- Driver for Windows Vista 5.12.1.2007 / Windows XP v5.12.01.621
- APO Interface Module 2.06.00
- Audio Console 2.40.14
- Console Launcher 2.40.09
- Host OpenAL 1.01.08
The modded drivers were tested by me on XP 32 bit, XP 64 bit, Vista 32 bit si Vista 64 bit. The worked nice.
October 27th, 2008 at 05:50
[...] should find this info interesting. It uses a single 8 channel DAC. Jimmy’s Junkyard Blog Archive X-Fi Xtreme Audio = Audigy SE ??? It’s the AV-710 that has two different DACs for 6 channels and 2 rear channels. Chaintech [...]
April 20th, 2009 at 08:16
I am one of Creative’s fraudulent trick’s prey, if I ever knew X-fi Xtreme Audio is not a true X-fi, I would never buy it.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:47
Hi, I cant understand how to add your site in my rss reader. Can you Help me, please
June 16th, 2009 at 19:53
I just take a look inside of my sound card , x-fi extreme audio.And i removed the X-FI sticker from the top of the chip.This is what i saw
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/6548/picture9c.th.jpg
This is the chip CA0111.I Googled it and i found this from creative
http://www.creative.com/oem/products/chips/ca0111.asp
So its like an mid end x-fi and not the high end version of the chip CA20K2
June 16th, 2009 at 19:55
Sorry this is the right image size
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/6548/picture9c.jpg
June 20th, 2009 at 08:46
guys just keep this in mind and you’ll be alright.
the x-fi extreme gamer pci. (black box with green stripes.)
is the lowest cheapest real x-fi card. all other cards that cost less are not x-fi no matter whats written on it.
even the usb 5.1 surround external card is a fake x-fi.(still beat the crap out of most basic adapters.)
July 23rd, 2009 at 06:34
[...] ( 108-109DB ). : Jimmy’s Junkyard Blog Archive X-Fi Xtreme Audio = Audigy SE ??? http://wapedia.mobi/en/Sound_Blaster_X-Fi?t=2. XtremeGamer Xonar DX [...]
September 2nd, 2009 at 03:31
any body know wat chipset inside usb 5.1 surround external SB???
some says no chipset at all inside thats box ??
September 20th, 2009 at 03:02
Entscheidend insght am Ende dort nicht verlassen, es als ‘wir
July 1st, 2010 at 23:32
[...] je wel ff creatief bezig moet gaan. Zit niet een standaard ac'97 connector mogelijkheid op (hier staat de SE en X-Fi audio naast elkaar, zie comments voor driver info), bij de "echte" [...]
October 25th, 2010 at 15:17
This was a really good writeup by you looking forward to visit more very soon.
April 8th, 2011 at 14:32
Thank You Very Much For Your Help
October 25th, 2011 at 01:46
Тут подобран большой ассортимент интересных фильмов онлайн