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Guru3D PC Buyers Guide Autumn 2018
Creative Labs SoundBlaster ZXR gets tested and reviewed
In this article we review the SoundBlaster ZXR from Creative Labs. Creative Labs basically had the market cornered for many years and some diehard fans felt that during this time their designs suffered a bit. They weren’t really pushing the envelope and trying to advance the market as much as a company would if they had steady competition. As the saying goes it is great to be king!
You can ready the full review right here.
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thatguy91
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Posts: 6650
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#4621789 Posted on: 07/18/2013 12:28 PM
Isn't Soundblaster and interesting name, when you consider it is silent without speakers?
Isn't Soundblaster and interesting name, when you consider it is silent without speakers?
Arbold
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Posts: 225
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#4621796 Posted on: 07/18/2013 12:33 PM
I was thinking about getting one of these. The question is. Do you have to install the 2nd Card right next to the first one? Or could you have that one a few slots away?
I was thinking about getting one of these. The question is. Do you have to install the 2nd Card right next to the first one? Or could you have that one a few slots away?
TheDeeGee
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Posts: 5549
Joined: 2010-08-28
#4621801 Posted on: 07/18/2013 12:42 PM
I wonder if it's worth upgrading my current Soundcard to this one.
I'm using Headphones only, the AKG K601.
I wonder if it's worth upgrading my current Soundcard to this one.
I'm using Headphones only, the AKG K601.
Neo Cyrus
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Posts: 8936
Joined: 2006-02-14
#4621810 Posted on: 07/18/2013 12:55 PM
I'm terrified its flimsy ribbon cable will crust up and die just like every ribbon cable in history has, and it only has 1 year warranty so Creative will just laugh at me. I tried contacting Creative to see if I can order a spare ribbon cable but I couldn't get a hold of them.
One thing that really annoys me is that as the dial is turned to change the volume it causes static and sometimes for whatever reason it can disable the right channel so I have to move it, yes as in turn the dial. I don't know if mine is defective or if they're all like this, knowing Creative they'll take 2 weeks to respond to an RMA request then do nothing but waste my time. Also it's made of mud and sticks, I looked in its general direction and the SB logo on it started to peel.
If there was a simple alternative I would have taken it just to avoid Creative but there wasn't. The only other option for me would have been the Essence ST + Xonar H6. That would have required a PCI slot and ordering them separately as I couldn't get them in one location. The STX cannot connect to the H6. Having the daughterboard on the ZxR is also a nice hand up over the ST + H6.
I wonder if it's worth upgrading my current Soundcard to this one.
I'm using Headphones only, the AKG K601.
My last card was an X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty Pro, same card as yours I think? It's definitely an upgrade in all sound ranges, but nothing to write home about. I wanted it so I can have swappable op amps (which I still haven't gotten around to, life, you know) and I needed a dedicated headphone amp as my headphones are the 250 Ohm version.
I should note that it will not be loud enough for 600 Ohm headphones, I use the 600 Ohm setting with my 250 Ohm headphones.
I'm terrified its flimsy ribbon cable will crust up and die just like every ribbon cable in history has, and it only has 1 year warranty so Creative will just laugh at me. I tried contacting Creative to see if I can order a spare ribbon cable but I couldn't get a hold of them.
One thing that really annoys me is that as the dial is turned to change the volume it causes static and sometimes for whatever reason it can disable the right channel so I have to move it, yes as in turn the dial. I don't know if mine is defective or if they're all like this, knowing Creative they'll take 2 weeks to respond to an RMA request then do nothing but waste my time. Also it's made of mud and sticks, I looked in its general direction and the SB logo on it started to peel.
If there was a simple alternative I would have taken it just to avoid Creative but there wasn't. The only other option for me would have been the Essence ST + Xonar H6. That would have required a PCI slot and ordering them separately as I couldn't get them in one location. The STX cannot connect to the H6. Having the daughterboard on the ZxR is also a nice hand up over the ST + H6.
I wonder if it's worth upgrading my current Soundcard to this one.
I'm using Headphones only, the AKG K601.
My last card was an X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty Pro, same card as yours I think? It's definitely an upgrade in all sound ranges, but nothing to write home about. I wanted it so I can have swappable op amps (which I still haven't gotten around to, life, you know) and I needed a dedicated headphone amp as my headphones are the 250 Ohm version.
I should note that it will not be loud enough for 600 Ohm headphones, I use the 600 Ohm setting with my 250 Ohm headphones.
ROBSCIX
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Posts: 16241
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#4621860 Posted on: 07/18/2013 02:38 PM
You can put the DB-Pro card wherever the ribbon cable will allow.
I was thinking about getting one of these. The question is. Do you have to install the 2nd Card right next to the first one? Or could you have that one a few slots away?
You can put the DB-Pro card wherever the ribbon cable will allow.
k1net1cs
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Joined: 2010-11-14
Senior Member
Posts: 3783
Joined: 2010-11-14
#4621883 Posted on: 07/18/2013 03:06 PM
Well, isn't a 'flashlight' an interesting name, when you consider it can't light jack crap without batteries?
Isn't Soundblaster and interesting name, when you consider it is silent without speakers?
Well, isn't a 'flashlight' an interesting name, when you consider it can't light jack crap without batteries?
schmidtbag
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#4621907 Posted on: 07/18/2013 03:29 PM
Crust up and die? What do YOU do to cause that and make this seem like a typical thing? Do leave them out in the sun? I've seen 10 year old computers that were on 24/7 in places without A/C that never had deteriorating cables (and they used IDE).
And yes, everything deteriorates eventually, but computers from 20 years ago still have perfectly usable ribbon cables. It's a matter of environment that really causes damage to the cables - typically extreme cold, extreme heat, or UV rays. So what I want to know is how you manage to have seen crusty cables, presumably more than once.
I'm terrified its flimsy ribbon cable will crust up and die just like every ribbon cable in history has, and it only has 1 year warranty so Creative will just laugh at me. I tried contacting Creative to see if I can order a spare ribbon cable but I couldn't get a hold of them.
Crust up and die? What do YOU do to cause that and make this seem like a typical thing? Do leave them out in the sun? I've seen 10 year old computers that were on 24/7 in places without A/C that never had deteriorating cables (and they used IDE).
And yes, everything deteriorates eventually, but computers from 20 years ago still have perfectly usable ribbon cables. It's a matter of environment that really causes damage to the cables - typically extreme cold, extreme heat, or UV rays. So what I want to know is how you manage to have seen crusty cables, presumably more than once.
Neo Cyrus
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Posts: 8936
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#4622372 Posted on: 07/19/2013 06:07 AM
They were in typically well ventilated/cooled cases. My current one has excellent air flow. It's not too dry or humid either, but it is slightly on the humid side.
They were in typically well ventilated/cooled cases. My current one has excellent air flow. It's not too dry or humid either, but it is slightly on the humid side.
Taint3dBulge
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Posts: 1122
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#4622415 Posted on: 07/19/2013 08:00 AM
I have the downgrade to this just the Z. Its very very good.. I use ****ty desk speakers and some good razar headphones.. Funny thing the desktop speaks now sound rather good lmao..
I have the downgrade to this just the Z. Its very very good.. I use ****ty desk speakers and some good razar headphones.. Funny thing the desktop speaks now sound rather good lmao..
k1net1cs
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Posts: 3783
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#4622458 Posted on: 07/19/2013 10:04 AM
That's odd.
Even the ribbon cable from my SB Live! Platinum still bends just fine, or the 80-pin IDE cables I still have around, and it's pretty humid here most of the time.
I honestly have never seen an IDE cable 'crust up'.
Cut up, yes, from the stray swings of my minus screwdriver, but never crust up or anything like that...at least not the 80-pin ones.
They were in typically well ventilated/cooled cases. My current one has excellent air flow. It's not too dry or humid either, but it is slightly on the humid side.
That's odd.
Even the ribbon cable from my SB Live! Platinum still bends just fine, or the 80-pin IDE cables I still have around, and it's pretty humid here most of the time.
I honestly have never seen an IDE cable 'crust up'.
Cut up, yes, from the stray swings of my minus screwdriver, but never crust up or anything like that...at least not the 80-pin ones.
LesserHellspawn
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#4622470 Posted on: 07/19/2013 10:34 AM
I'll cling to my Auzen X-Fi, just because of 7.1 speaker support, since I have that setup. If there's no new Creative card with 7.1 support agian by the time I build my next rig, they'll lose me as customer.
I'll cling to my Auzen X-Fi, just because of 7.1 speaker support, since I have that setup. If there's no new Creative card with 7.1 support agian by the time I build my next rig, they'll lose me as customer.
BLEH!
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#4622489 Posted on: 07/19/2013 11:12 AM
If I didn't have a 16-channel recording soundcard I'd probably be using something like this. High end audio really does make a difference.
If I didn't have a 16-channel recording soundcard I'd probably be using something like this. High end audio really does make a difference.
RavenMaster
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#4622607 Posted on: 07/19/2013 03:39 PM
I love my ZXR - best sound card I've ever owned. Great quality for both music and games + movies and the ACM mic is a nice addition too
I love my ZXR - best sound card I've ever owned. Great quality for both music and games + movies and the ACM mic is a nice addition too
TheDeeGee
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#4622610 Posted on: 07/19/2013 03:42 PM
Is that extra card needed or optional to install?
Is that extra card needed or optional to install?
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You guys didn't test it for true hardware acceleration?