Auzentech X-Fi Bravura 7.1 Sneak Peak

Auzentech X-Fi Bravura 7.1 Sneak Peak

We at the Guru3D Audio Lab try to go above and beyond for our readers and work very hard to give you the latest information and pictures of the latest and greatest audio hardware.  We have done it again and we have a worlds first exclusive look at upcoming Auzen X-Fi Bravura 7.1 PCI-E Audio Interface.  Please understand this card is in the very early stages of development and the board design and final design are subject to change.  Without further delays, lets get to the good stuff shall we:

Specifications

• PCI Express x1 Interface
• Creative X-Fi native PCI Express audio processor
• Support 7.1 channel playback up to 24-bit/96kHz for speakers output
• Support Stereo playback up to 24-bit/192kHz for headphone output (Only supports 192khz sample-rate on Vista)
• Creative X-Fi Technology
  • CMSS 3D
  • Crystalizer
  • EAX® 4.0 ADVANCED HD sound effects
  • Bass Management
  • 10-Band, Multi-channel Equalize
  • ALchemy (to enable audio rendering of DS3D apps under Vista OS)
• Support DTS Neo:PC & DTS Interactive for Windows Vista (via driver update)
• All 4 output opamps are replaceable by end user
• Specialized high quality audio components and proprietary Auzentech technology (including X-Balance P.G.S and X-Pointing A.D)
• 1/4 phone jack for professional headphone with exclusive Auzentech proprietary Hi-fi headphone amplifier (1/4 stereo phone adaptor plug included)
• Headphone amplifier opamp is replaceable by end user
• High performance Audio Converters
  • Digital to Analog Converter: 120dB dynamic range (Headphone Out)
  • Digital to Analog Converter: 114dB dynamic range (Multi channel, CS4382A
  • Analog to Digital Converter: 102dB dynamic range (WM8775)
• Intel HD Audio 10-1 pin front panel connector
• Optical/Coaxial combo connector for S/PDIF output
• Auxiliary Digital Out pin for HDMI connection
• Stereo/Balanced mode microphone pre-amplifier for professional microphones
• Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) v1.0 Compliant

Lets have a close look at the Hardware sections:

Multi Channel Speaker Output

The Bravura 7.1 has milled opamp sockets and 4 replaceable opamps for the line outputs/speaker outs.  In the picture we can see the high quality Nichon Muse ES capacitors for coupling the outputs and high grade metalized film for opamp filtering.

Headphone Output Circuitry

The headphone output is using Auzentech proprietary designed circuit and is separate from the cards line outs.  We can see the Wima film audio grade capacitors and the upgradeable opamp in a milled socket.  The headphone output supports a maximum sampling rate of 24/192 KHz output.

Power design

The Bravura 7.1 uses an upgraded power filtering design.

The new design employs conductive polymer capacitors.  Which have an ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) rating of 10 times lower over generic filtering capacitors.  As a result of this improved circuitry design, the Bravura 7.1 has an exceptional instant power supply capacity.  Lets have a look at the Specifications:

Specifications

Package Contents

• Auzen X-Fi BRAVURA Audio Card
• Quick installation guide
• Optical TOSLINK to TOSLINK cable (10 feet / 3 meter)
• Optical adaptor
• Installation CD

I/O Connectors

• Line Input / Microphone Input : 1/8(3.5mm) phone jack
• Headphone Output : 1/4(6.35mm) stereo phone jack
• Speakers Output : 4 x 1/8(3.5mm) stereo phone jacks (Front/Rear/Center-SW/Side)
• Digital Output (Optical/Coaxial Combo port)
• Front panel connector : Intel® HD Audio 10-1 Pin connector

Technical Specification

Interface Core

• Audio Processor : Creative PCI Express audio processor
• PC Interface PCI Express 1.1 Compliant Interface, Compatible with X1 PCI Express slot
• Supported audio
  • 16/24-bit / up to 192 kHz (Headphone playback)
  • 16/24-bit / up to 96 kHz (Multi channel playback
  • 16/24-bit / up to 96 kHz (Recording)
• API Supports WDM, EAX® 4.0, Direct Sound®, Direct Sound 3D®, OpenAL

Analog Outputs

• Level : 3.0 Vrms, +12.0dBu max, deviation +/- 0.1dB
• Dynamic Range: 115.0dB A-weighted (1kHz @ -60dBFS, 24-bit/48kHz) for Stereo output  

110.0dB A-weighted (1kHz @ -60dBFS, 24-bit/48kHz) for Multi channel outputs 98.0dB A-weighted (1kHz @ -60dBFS, 24-bit/48kHz) for Analog Inputs

• Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: 0.001% A-weighted (@ -3dBFS) for Analog outputs , 0.003% A-weighted (@ -3dBFS) for Analog Inputs
• Frequency Response: 10Hz to 22kHz, +/- 0.02 dB @ 48kHz , 10Hz to 42kHz, +/- 0.02 dB @ 96kHz, 10Hz to 94kHz, +/- 3dB @ 192kHz(Headphone)
• Impedance: Headphone load impedance 16ohm ~ 600ohm , Speaker output 150ohm , Line Input 10Kohm
• Microphone: Support Stereo and Balanced Mode

Minimum Requirements

• Intel® Pentium® 4 1.6 GHz or AMD® Athlon XP 2000+ processor (Pentium 4 2.2 GHz, AMD Athlon XP 2400+ processor or faster recommended)
• Intel, AMD or 100% compatible motherboard
• Microsoft® Windows Vista® 32/64-bit with Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Windows XP Media Center Edition
• 256 MB RAM (512 MB RAM for Windows Vista)
• 600 MB of free hard disk space
• Available PCI Express® (x1,x4,x8 or x16) slot
• CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive

There is much more to this card then we can show you in this sneak peak so stayed tuned to your Guru3D Audio Lab channel for further information on this and other cutting edge soundcards.  Until next time this is Robscix at the Guru3D Audio Lab signing off.

So what do you think about this one ? Discuss here.