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It hasn't been that long since I had the
opportunity to review Auzentech's flagship sound card the X-Meridian.
The X-Meridian continues to be my card of choice and earned an almost
perfect 9.5 score. Well the engineers over at Auzentech aren't
finished yet. Their latest product, the X-Tension DIN, builds on
the X-Meridian to offer even more of a good thing. this fancy
little expansion card makes the X-Meridian card the only choice for PC
audio enthusiasts. And if that's not enough to get you interested,
the X-Tension is designed to support Auzentech's upcoming X-Fi Prelude
as well!
The X-Tension card arrives in an attractive box that
closely matched that of the X-Meridian. The front features a full
color image of the X-Tension and a nice over view of the new features it
will add to your existing Auzentech sound card. The back of the box
provides detailed product specifications and a expanded description of
each of the major features.
The actual card is packed tightly in a cardboard frame
that contains the rest of the cables and such inside. I must admit
the lack of a anti-static bag was a surprise though. I guess if
the Auzentech folks aren't worried I shouldn't be worried too.
Here is a closer look at the X-Tension DIN. The
card is only about 4 inched deep and placement of the data cable
Connectors on both cards allow the X-tension to sit on either side of
the parent sound card. Lie all of the Auzentech products we have
seen, the X-Tension DIN is manufactured from audiophile level components
and gold connectors.
Product Features:
- Mic In: The input for
dynamic-microphone. In total, three microphone inputs are
available (Microphone input of the soundcard, FP_AUDIO, Auzen
X-Tension). When the jumper switch 9 is set to ‘ON,’ this input
changes to a condenser microphone input that supports 5V power
(Caution: "Phantom power" is not supported. Do not use a phantom
microphone.)
- MIDI In: 16 channels of MIDI
signal input.
- MIDI Out: 16 channels of MIDI
signal output.
- Digital In: Supports coaxial and
optical input.
- Digital Out: Supports coaxial
and optical output.
- G9 Digital Multi Out: Output
supporting 24Bit 96kHz LPCM or PCM 8ch. Compatible with digital
speakers from Creative Labs™.
- EXT_MIC Connector: Transfers
microphone input data. Used with the 4pin-4pin cable to connect
to the soundcard.
- Data Cable Connector: Used to
connect the soundcard and Auzen X-Tension DIN.
- Jumper 1: Default setting is
‘OFF’ for dynamic microphone. When set to on ‘ON’, 5V will be
provided to the microphone input for use with a condenser
microphone.
- Jumper 2: This jumper is related
with the type of digital signal. For the X-Meridian, set this
jumper to ‘OFF.' Other settings may be appropriate for future
soundcards.
Product Specifications:
Mic Preamplifier
1) Peak
level : 0dBFS @ -40dBV
2) Gain Adjustment : Gain +20dB up
3) 5V power supply (Condenser Mic)
4) Connector Type : 1/4”
TRS Input
MIDI I/O
1) 1-in, 1-out 16
MIDI channels in and out
2) Connector Type : MIDI Standard
MIDI 5-pin DIN
Digital In
1) Connector Type :
RCA or Optical Combo
2) Format : IEC-60958 Consumer(S/PDIF)
3) Sampling Rate :44.1,48,96,192kHz
4) Resolution : 24-bit
Digital Out
1) Connector
Type : RCA or Optical Combo
2) Format : IEC-60958 Consumer(S/PDIF)
3) Sampling Rate :44.1,48,96,192kHz
4) Resolution : 24-bit
G9 Digital Out
1) Connector
Type : 9-pin Mini Din Jack
2) Format : IEC-60958 Consumer(S/PDIF)
3) Sampling Rate :44.1,48,96,192kHz
4) Resolution : 24-bit
Compatibility:
The X-Tension DIN is to
be used with the following list of soundcards and devices. Select future
Auzen soundcards will be compatible with the X-Tension DIN.
- Auzen X-Fi Prelude
- Auzen X-Meridian 7.1
- Digital speakers from Creative Labs™
via the G9 Digital Multi Out jack.
- Cambridge Soundworks Digital Desktop
Theater 5.1 DTT2500
- Cambridge Soundworks FPS2000 Digital
Speakers
- Cambridge SoundWorks DTT 3500
Digital 5.1 Surround Speaker System
- Creative Inspire 5.1 5700 PC
multimedia home theatre speaker system
X-Tension DIN Package Contents (above): MIDI cables, Auzen X-Tension DIN
board, User Guide including Warranty Card, Data cable for connecting
soundcard and the Data cable for transferring microphone input to
soundcard.
Taking another look at the added ports the X-Tension brings to the table
we can see the new Microphone port and the additional MIDI ports are
included with the professional musician in mind. Now your standard
5.5 mm mic no longer needs an adapter. The additional Digital
Coaxial/optical ports let you bring more external devices such as a
external home theater receiver or a high definition gaming console.
And finally, the SPDIF port specifically designed to support Some of
Creative Labs digital speaker setups with the D9 jack.
There's not much to see on the back of the X-Tension but at least the
ports are clearly labeled and the graphics look clean and professional.
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