Asus to take on Creative with new soundcards?

[dangel]

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=38230

Note "but plans to offer higher-quality drivers for all targeted operating systems from day one." - i.e. the _very_ tender underbelly of creative.

And this "What makes this sound card a bit special is the presence of a secondary music processor, which alows legal "ripping" of music you've bought onto regular MP3, WMAs and so on. The trick is called Analogue Loopback Transformation, or in technical terms, the redirection of outputs from a physical output to secondary audio processor which will then record the file in the format you want."

Now that's most interesting..

[kalniel]

Sounds fantastic. ()

Even the line-in recording method isn't legal in the UK sadly, (except for time-shifting radio/tv broadcasts).

[GeorgeTuk]

Sounds good (dur dum tish!).

Honestly though its good to see competition in any market.

[MadduckUK]

if the price is right ill get one. will put the Razer card on hold for now

[dangel]

Sounds fantastic. ()

Ouch

Even the line-in recording method isn't legal in the UK sadly, (except for time-shifting radio/tv broadcasts).

Isn't it? I don't think a recording device itself can be specifically illegal, but using it to break copyright is.. Still let's not get off topic - I'm sure nothing will be done to stop these being sold in the UK.

[kalniel]

Isn't it? I don't think a recording device itself can be specifically illegal, but using it to break copyright is..

Yup, quite right. Was just wondering if Asus were pushing it as a specially more 'legal' way of doing things, for example the ripping of music you've bought as you posted.

[Mike Fishcake]

If the software is better than Creative, then it might be something I'd consider buying!

[Clunk]

Lets hope that its not made in the Chinese factory, or it could have the new "Asus signature whistle".

[my new pc is a]

I'm never buying anything Creative again because of their awful drivers, so this sounds good to me!

---

The Xonar D2X uses a PCIe x1 connector, finally making use of all of the unused x1 slots on the motherboards of today and yesterday. Asus said the thing delivers 118dB Sound-to-Noise-Ratio during playback and 115dB SNR during recording. The sound card comes with certified Dolby Digital, Dolby Live, DTS Connect and DTS 5.1 standards.

WANT! PCIe x1 is beautiful, and 118dB s/n is extremely impressive. Depending on price, they could corner the semi-enthusiast market very quickly. (Read: those of too cheap to by an amp with a digital-in!)

[dangel]

Well at the very least some mainstream competition might cause creative to wake the hell up!

[this_is_gav]

Regardless of price, reviews or threat of fire, I'll get one just to annoy Creative a teeny, weeny little bit. Good hardware, abysmal support.

[Oobie-]

Lets hope that its not made in the Chinese factory, or it could have the new "Asus signature whistle".

ROFLOL!

I would seriously consider buying this, as it means it would 100% be compatible with an asus board (still can't get my audigy to work with my P5B DLX) and if they are true with their drivers statement, then by jove! its gotta grab creative by the balls.