News - Gigabyte’s Haswell motherboards to feature “Amp-Up” audio

[crossy]

Does anyone remember when Creative did this years ago? Does anyone remember the fact that Creative updated the drivers a few times and then left the chip to die? Yeah, I do. Not a chance in hell again Creative.

I thought Creative were saying that they were getting out of the sound card/chipset and were looking for someone to sell their IP to?

Personally I can't see the point of the replaceable OpAmps - surely if you want a biased output then that's what the equalizer controls are for? Still at least it's not something daft like "Powered by Beats". My rig's currently got an X-Fi main card and the onboard sound enabled - because I need multiple inputs. Like the X-Fi - the hardware seems pretty reasonable, and Creative seem to have stopped fiddling with the drivers.

PS I wonder if these latest boards have got the fixes for that USB issue that Hexus reported a while ago?

[kalniel]

PS I wonder if these latest boards have got the fixes for that USB issue that Hexus reported a while ago?

Very good question.. one would hope so, but last I heard was chipsets with the fix would be available in June, some confirmation would be good.

[Willzzz]

These boards have been in development a while, I'm guessing not.

But seriously it affects a small number of USB sticks when it goes into deep sleep, and all you have to do is take it out and plug it back in.

[kingpotnoodle]

more importantly all the A/V connectors are gold plated including the HDMI,

Great! I'll whip out my gold-plated 'Monster' HDMI leads for an even better image than all you suckers!

Yeah 100% you wouldn't want those 1s and 0s being over-emphasised, it could make the mid-range of your thrash metal sound like a Britney Spears song with accents of Steps.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I think I am going to stick with a DAC of some sort for music reproduction.

[kalniel]

I think I am going to stick with a DAC of some sort for music reproduction.

This has a DAC

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

This has a DAC

I should have said "external" DAC.

[shaithis]

Wow, seems my old chip puller may get a new lease of life after 1.5 decades in my toolbox!

TBH, it looks like a PIC chip and knowing Creative, I wouldn't be surprised if that's all it is......

[Steve]

Gold plated connectors, and yet the op-amp is socketed. Umm...