Xonar HDAV1.3 The one we've been waiting for

[prerich]

The Xonar HDAV1.3 has been tested at Computex2008 and it can Bitstream to your receiver via hdmi! It will come with a new version of TMT (Total Media Theatre). Here's a link about it http://www.legitreviews.com/news/4874/ You can also read about it on the Asus site. I can't wait for this one - If its out before Father's Day - that's my present!!!!

[maxmcleod]

i was reading about it this morning
im stoked...
just hope it hits the stores soon

I was just about to do the analog 7.1 setup to get my HD decoding, but now I think im going to wait, to save cables

[prerich]

Originally Posted by maxmcleod

i was reading about it this morning
im stoked...
just hope it hits the stores soon

I was just about to do the analog 7.1 setup to get my HD decoding, but now I think im going to wait, to save cables

Just found out, the card will be available in mid-July! After Father's Day but right before my birthday - early present!!!! This is a no brainer for me! Oh for those who wonder - the card accepts a loop back from the video card's hdmi/dvi cable (you plug you video cards hdmi output into the Soundcards hdmi's input and the go out of the soundcard for combinded HDMI audio and video). It will bitstream to the receiver. If you prefer analog outs - theres a daughter card that will do the analog outs via RCA and it maintains its 120db S/N ratio! This card is the bomb!!!!

[kjacobs03]

Anyone know a price range for it?

[prerich]

Originally Posted by kjacobs03

Anyone know a price range for it?

It's going to be in the $200 price range - the daughter card (if you go for the deluxe model) will have changeable amps and DACs so you can customize it!!!

[rarredoa]

Originally Posted by prerich

It's going to be in the $200 price range - the daughter card (if you go for the deluxe model) will have changeable amps and DACs so you can customize it!!!

Sounds like the PC will now have ALL the sound options available. I will still keep my analog sound card though, i can't imagine there being an audible difference, unless DOWNSAMPLING DTS-HD MA REALLY DOES occur with PowerDVD 8 (not really sure, if anyone knows, please let me know). If there IS downsampling then this new card should eliminate this problem since the receiver is decoding, right? By the way does this card have burr-brown DAC's as stock DAC's?

Wouldn't the blu-ray player software have to be capable of bitstreaming the HD codecs?

[maxmcleod]

that raises a little question...
so let me ask...

i have dvi to hdmi like a lot of people...
so does that mean I'll be able to go dvi, to hdmi (into this sound card)
then hdmi to hdmi (into the back of my reciever) and THEN go hdmi from reciever to TV? That seems like a lot of changing hands??

are they coming out with just a simple analog card? I'm starting to think that would be a better route for me... I hate the clutter behind my case as it is, and audio cables take up less room than hdmi haha...

speaking of analog cards... does anyone have any recommendations for cards for vista? I have a diamond multimedia 7.1 card but its not fully supported in vista, and consequently only gives off stereo audio and is really glitchy...

I just bought a onkyo 605 with a full 7.1 speaker setup... need my HD audio..

[prerich]

Originally Posted by rarredoa

Sounds like the PC will now have ALL the sound options available. I will still keep my analog sound card though, i can't imagine there being an audible difference, unless DOWNSAMPLING DTS-HD MA REALLY DOES occur with PowerDVD 8 (not really sure, if anyone knows, please let me know). If there IS downsampling then this new card should eliminate this problem since the receiver is decoding, right? By the way does this card have burr-brown DAC's as stock DAC's?

Wouldn't the blu-ray player software have to be capable of bitstreaming the HD codecs?

Burr-brown DAC's are stock . To answer your software question the card comes with an addition of TMT designed just for this card. I haven't heard anything but good things about it. I have TMT myself (as a backup) and it's a good player - no problems with it (I just like WinDVD 9 Plus BD) - but I use both players.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by maxmcleod

that raises a little question...
so let me ask...

i have dvi to hdmi like a lot of people...
so does that mean I'll be able to go dvi, to hdmi (into this sound card)
then hdmi to hdmi (into the back of my reciever) and THEN go hdmi from reciever to TV? That seems like a lot of changing hands??

are they coming out with just a simple analog card? I'm starting to think that would be a better route for me... I hate the clutter behind my case as it is, and audio cables take up less room than hdmi haha...

speaking of analog cards... does anyone have any recommendations for cards for vista? I have a diamond multimedia 7.1 card but its not fully supported in vista, and consequently only gives off stereo audio and is really glitchy...

I just bought a onkyo 605 with a full 7.1 speaker setup... need my HD audio..

Yes there is a daughter card for analog 7.1 out to a receiver with no downsampling. You will need to use the version of TMT that comes with the card. I'm currently using my Audigy 2ZS its working just fine (my motherboard sound was doing ok too untill I reconnected my Audigy 2zs - new beta drivers). The xonars are said to work well with Vista. If you wanted to pay $80.00 for a Xonar you can go to Newegg and get one (not a DX2 though). If the HDAV 1.3 wasn't coming out so soon I would get a DX2.

[maxmcleod]

i was actually looking at the dx2 on newegg already, but was a little confused it says 7.1 sound, but if you look at the image with the explaination of the outputs, it looks like its missing the front 2 channels... i tried to find another site confirming the proper outputs, but i think newegg messed up or at least i hope... that was the card i was going to get...
do you know if the inputs are mistyped on neweggs site?

[maxmcleod]

after doing some digging, i think im prolly going to pick the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829132006
DX model, since it uses the PCI-E 1x slot, which i have 3 open, and plenty of room to use... haha

the reviews sound solid on it so we'll see...
I'm stoked about my 605 on the way... hope it comes in soon...

[prerich]

Originally Posted by maxmcleod

i was actually looking at the dx2 on newegg already, but was a little confused it says 7.1 sound, but if you look at the image with the explaination of the outputs, it looks like its missing the front 2 channels... i tried to find another site confirming the proper outputs, but i think newegg messed up or at least i hope... that was the card i was going to get...
do you know if the inputs are mistyped on neweggs site?

No, it's correct - its a 7.1 sound card here's a link to a photo with the output designations http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...D2X+Sound+Card

The front channels are either Front or Headphone whichever ones you use.

[maxmcleod]

ahh okay, that makes sense now

well i went ahead and got the dx because of the 1x slot

we'll see how it all turns out, i may upgrade eventually

[CptGreedle]

I think the next PC I build (if I build one) will have this in it, and be attached directly to my 46" HDTV

[prerich]

Originally Posted by maxmcleod

ahh okay, that makes sense now

well i went ahead and got the dx because of the 1x slot

we'll see how it all turns out, i may upgrade eventually

You're gonna love it!!!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

I think the next PC I build (if I build one) will have this in it, and be attached directly to my 46" HDTV

That's going to be sweet!

[maxmcleod]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

I think the next PC I build (if I build one) will have this in it, and be attached directly to my 46" HDTV

haha oh you know you'll build it!
we all say "if" and we never mean it...

[maxmcleod]

Originally Posted by prerich

You're gonna love it!!!

i hope so, Im so anxious, I'm sure I will have to post a full review of my thoughts on the difference in quality of sound... I've been listening to 5.1 through a toslink connection to a crappy rca reciever for about 4 years with my personal setup its long overdue for a revamp.
few more days and I'll be set!

[crizz]

The Xonar HDAV1.3 Audio card is now up on the ASUS global website. Cant wait to get my hands on one of these.

http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1...55&modelmenu=1

[KingRadicalPhil]

Does this mean I can bitstream audio on my PS3 how would it work or I cant do this please explain someone