Creative Launches its Sound Blaster AE-7 and AE-9 Audiophile Sound Cards

by Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 07/10/2019 07:46 AM | source: | 88 comment(s)

Creative continues its legacy by releasing a soundcard, the Sound Blaster AE-9 and Sound Blaster AE-7. Built with only the most premium components, and complemented with the latest technologies from Creative, these sound cards are designed to define a new performance standard in this class for the ultimate PC entertainment experience.

Up till 1989, the only sounds coming out of the PC were mere beeps. The same year, Sound Blaster was born, and PC audio was transformed forever. Since then, over 400 million Sound Blasters have been sold; and the Sound Blaster brand has become synonymous with the term sound card and high-quality PC audio - first for gaming, and then movies and music. With experience and expertise refined over three decades of audio innovation, Sound Blaster has continued to reinvent itself with the development of digital audio processing technologies. Each new innovation served to redefine what the ultimate audio experience really means, such as when it evolved beyond the PC in the form of external sound cards for platforms like gaming and entertainment consoles.

"The Sound Blaster philosophy is simple yet demanding. With every new product, we aim to break new ground in four key areas: technology, performance, function and platform. In our 30th year, we will make greater strides than ever before in redefining the Sound Blaster experience. The AE series, which represents our biggest leap in PCI-e sound card innovation yet, is just the beginning. Later this quarter, we will be introducing our latest addition to the "X" series of multi-channel audio external sound cards; it will be the first Sound Blaster product featuring Super X-Fi, our game-changing and award-winning headphone holography technology. And in the next quarter, we will unveil our latest products under the "G" banner of gaming-focused sound cards with better console compatibility and ease of use than before. Simply put, Sound Blaster makes great sound, and never stops making it sound greater," said Sim Wong Hoo, CEO of Creative.

Sound Blaster AE-9: In a Class of Its Own
Sound Blaster AE-9 is Creative"s flagship PCI-e sound card, and it more than delivers on its promise to gratify the needs of pro-gamers and pro-audio users. It uses audiophile-grade components such as the top-of-the-range ESS 9038 SABRE-class reference DAC that delivers up to 129 dB DNR, PCM 32-bit 384 kHz sampling, DSD64 playback of lossless audio with ultra-low distortion and jitter elimination, and boasts Nichicon Fine-Gold capacitors, WIMA film/foil audio capacitors and swappable op-amps.

What really makes Sound Blaster AE-9 stand out against the competition is its CleanLine Technology, a new breakthrough in filtering a microphone path for clear and uncompromised voice communication. This latest technology features specially-designed circuitry and components which eliminates voltage rail issues and isolates unwanted noise caused by power supply ripple from high-performance GPUs. Sound Blaster AE-9 is the first ever to integrate this technology in its core, allowing users to forgo the need for a desktop mixer while still enjoying the benefits of having one.

Sound Blaster AE-7: Next-in-line, Yet Still an Audio Beast
It may seem to sport slightly "lesser" specs compared to the Sound Blaster AE-9, yet Sound Blaster AE-7 is very much a powerful sound card in its own right, being equipped with a hi-res ESS SABRE-class 9018 DAC that boasts up to 127 dB DNR, with 32-bit 384 kHz sampling and DSD64 playback. Audio clarity is the order of the day, with a THD of 0.0001% which represents an upgrade over its predecessor Sound BlasterX AE-5, and also the competition. At its price point, Sound Blaster AE-7 presents an excellent value proposition.

Common Features for Sound Blaster AE-9 and Sound Blaster AE-7

The Best Sound Blaster Processing Yet: Enjoy the full spectrum of Sound Blaster audio customization and enhanced audio realism with immersive 5.1 and 7.1 surround virtualization along with Dolby Digital Live encoding and DTS Connect encoding.
Award-winning Headphone Amplification: The custom-designed, award-winning fully discrete Xamp headphone amplifier with push-pull design ensures each audio channel is individually amplified to deliver a whole new level of pristine audio fidelity in an authentic, unaltered lossless model.
All-new Audio Control Module (ACM): Both sound cards feature ACMs built with user-friendliness in mind. Sound Blaster AE-9's ACM stands out with a display unit for direct and easy volume control, a headphone selector switch supporting different types of headphone impedance, a multi-function microphone input port with +48V Phantom power and a built-in amplifier.
New and Streamlined Software Interface: The newly designed Sound Blaster Command software sports a revamped user-friendly interface which drives Creative's signature Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine through achieving more audio control customizations with lesser clicks.

Upgrade Promo for Sound Blaster Users
As a gesture of appreciation for their support over the last 30 years, Creative is offering an exclusive promotion to its fans - the opportunity to upgrade from their old sound cards with an attractive 15% discount off the latest Sound Blaster products. This promotion will be valid for all upcoming Sound Blaster products launched between now and the end of the year.

Pricing and Availability
Sound Blaster AE-9 (on pre-order) and Sound Blaster AE-7 are priced at SGD439 and SGD299 respectively, and are available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit the product pages of the Sound Blaster AE-9 and Sound Blaster AE-7.

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Alessio1989
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Posts: 1385
Joined: 2015-06-11

#5689597 Posted on: 07/10/2019 12:57 PM

No motherboard has toslink input

Never talked against toslink input.

Fox2232
Senior Member

Posts: 9739
Joined: 2012-07-20

#5689598 Posted on: 07/10/2019 01:02 PM

Audiophile is just another word for placebo.

What is placebo on blind test?

TalentX
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Posts: 48
Joined: 2019-04-10

#5689609 Posted on: 07/10/2019 01:21 PM

Toslink output must die, buying a dedicated audio card for using digital output is simply stupid.

Richard Nutman
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Posts: 84
Joined: 2018-08-30

#5689617 Posted on: 07/10/2019 02:01 PM

Who buys these things any more? Genuine question, I'm curious.

Alessio1989
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Joined: 2015-06-11

#5689618 Posted on: 07/10/2019 02:02 PM

Creative uses the Toslink/SPDIF port exclusively for DTS/DDL encoding. Realtek audio (for onboard sound) doesn't support that and has no dedicated SPU either.
The Encoder from the Creative SPU also operates simultaneously with the Soundcard for easy switch between digital and analog sound.

Nothing you can do with onboard audio.
So you buy an "expensive" dedicated audio card just for DTS/DDL software encoding? Than you are probably using a crap digital speaker set without a proper receiver.
I agree. While motherboard DAC's have gotten a lot better, they're still not great. Digital output and a decent DAC for headphones/speakers is all you need.
Unless you want Dolby Digital encoding, then I think that's the only reason you would need a soundcard.outside the possibility to pair it with a decent analog speaker system or good headsets, onboard down-mix and up-mix capabilities suck, that's the main reason for me. Yes, there are tons of free and paid mixing software solutions, but outside simply graphics equations most of them suck, or add noticeable CPU overhead or additional audio latency. Best onboards audio chip-set have more or less the same analogue quality of an old midrange X-FI, good yes, but only on high-range MBs...

EDIT: additional reason: most of today's motherboards, outside full-ATX high-range models, do not provide analogue multi-channel output, but only stereo.

Fox2232
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Posts: 9739
Joined: 2012-07-20

#5689622 Posted on: 07/10/2019 02:11 PM

I agree. While motherboard DAC's have gotten a lot better, they're still not great. Digital output and a decent DAC for headphones/speakers is all you need.
Unless you want Dolby Digital encoding, then I think that's the only reason you would need a soundcard.
I used to have good internal souncard (PCI). Not usable with new system. But I will likely get new one in time. But this time USB (likely 3.0 or higher) because one can always run into situation where Notebook is being used. Or next system does not have that good built in sound card.

And while MBs today often have very acceptable sound cards, not all have. And as need for it arises, one should not limit its choice by component that is not that important and can be used externally.
(Especially with all those improvements to USB ports.)

JamesSneed
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#5689631 Posted on: 07/10/2019 02:27 PM

Audiophile is just another word for placebo.

Obviously from someone who has never had a great sound setup. It is hilariously funny how many people have never heard really good sound systems. I convert people all the time just from having music playing on my home theatre system and it isn't even audiophile grade stuff but it is a bit higher end. Love my SVS sub btw

I'm not a fan of this setup though I would much rather have just the DAC and Amp nothing internal to the PC.

For the very entry level of audiophile grade gear look to decent quality headphones like the Sennheiser HD 58X sound pretty good on a low power DAC/Amp setup which does not take to much of an investment. These are also pretty darn good for gaming as there ability to allow you to place sounds in 3D are very nice like to the point people may think you have a wall hack.

Aso fairly cheap speakers like Audioengine A5+ aren't bad but are night and day better than most PC speakers.

Denial
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#5689634 Posted on: 07/10/2019 02:35 PM

warezme
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#5689644 Posted on: 07/10/2019 02:52 PM

I used to buy Soundblaster cards and kept an old PCI Xfi Fatl1ty going for years until PCI slots went away. I loved it had a front panel break out box for my headphones and volume controls. I miss that and it sounded way better then built in. I would probably pull the trigger on a newer model but Creative needs to be realistic about their prices. Maybe they do spend a lot of time on developing their cards but their prices for a sound card are cray cray. With the prices they ask they guarantee a very small audience. Enthusiast are already a niche and when you consider the price Enthusiast/audiophile is a sub niche. I don't see how they stay in business. If the card was around $100 or less I would grab one. I have no doubt that 9 series model will probably retail around $250.

SHS
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#5689645 Posted on: 07/10/2019 02:54 PM

Never talked against toslink input.
But I said my Quote Toslink input must not die you refer to toslink in general sense both input and output work on same electronica circuitry chipset

Creative uses the Toslink/SPDIF port exclusively for DTS/DDL encoding. Realtek audio (for onboard sound) doesn't support that and has no dedicated SPU either.
The Encoder from the Creative SPU also operates simultaneously with the Soundcard for easy switch between digital and analog sound.

Nothing you can do with onboard audio.
Well that not true in June 2005 came Auzentech, which with its X-Mystique PCI was the first to support DDL then some C-Media card, Realtek had support for DDL on ALC882D even Nvidia SoundStorm which had real-time encoding found certain nForce2 motherboards but later decided to drop DDL support in their motherboards due to the high cost of involved royalties.
How ever all the AC-3 has already expired.

Andrew LB
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Posts: 1049
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#5689655 Posted on: 07/10/2019 03:05 PM

Toslink output must die, buying a dedicated audio card for using digital output is simply stupid.

And why is that? You can output both a pure untouched signal or one with the positional enhancements and have been able to since the X-Fi Titanium HD.

The difference between my Titanium HD and onboard sound is night and day. I'm using Sennheiser HD650's with an amplifier.

Andrew LB
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Joined: 2012-05-22

#5689660 Posted on: 07/10/2019 03:07 PM

And fyi, the AE-9 retails for $323 and the AE-7 for $220. When they hit store though, i'm sure they'll cost $299 and $199.

SHS
Senior Member

Posts: 436
Joined: 2001-05-02

#5689670 Posted on: 07/10/2019 03:26 PM

And fyi, the AE-9 retails for $323 and the AE-7 for $220. When they hit store though, i'm sure they'll cost $299 and $199.

Doesn't matter even that way to much I much rather put that toward new Killer Fast GPU which all lot more beneficial.

sverek
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#5689673 Posted on: 07/10/2019 03:27 PM

As for headphone users, you can buy quality dedicated DAC/AMP for that price.
DAC : Topping D10 / D30
AMP : JDS Labs Atom, Liquid Spark or Topping A30

No need to worry of video card frying soundcard, internal electronic interference or bad grounding. Also better components and versatility.

Speakers can be run of the DAC, so yeah, I don't really see a reason to buy soundcard for myself. For someone who needs soundcard features, might want it.

Edit: These sound cards should be aimed for audio producers who actually need features for the work and not mere consumer who needs soundcard for fake surround effect (aka: bathroom effect).

Order_66
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#5689677 Posted on: 07/10/2019 03:30 PM

Who buys these things any more? Genuine question, I'm curious.

I do, my onboard audio is decent with my 5.1 speakers but using the Soundblaster Z analog the difference is night and day in both sound quality and positional quality.

I also have a couple of decent headsets, hyperX cloud 2 and a Logitech 533 for when I need quiet gaming time but they are simply no match for for a good 5.1 with a good sound card.

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