Product Reviews

On-board sound processors are so good these days that most people don't bother adding a separate sound card to their PC. However, certain tasks - such as gaming, music production and home entertainment - can benefit from one.

This sound card uses Creative's X-Fi audio processor. Auzentech aims to improve on Creative's own cards by creating a unique circuit board to house the X-Fi chipset. Some users will certainly appreciate the upgradable operational amplifier chip, but most users should be satisfied with the card's default configuration.

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Prelude is equipped to output sound to 2.1, 5.1, and 7.1 speaker configurations. You can also use a normal pair of stereo headphones or speakers, and the driver's gaming mode does a fantastic job of creating the impression of realistic 3D sound through a pair of headphones.

As well as analogue line and microphone inputs, there are S/PDIF in and out ports. These enable you to connect high-quality digital recording equipment and DVD players with either optical or coaxial cables. With Smart Volume Management and Dolby surround-sound compatibility, the card is well suited to PC-based home cinema systems.

We were impressed by the card's clean, accurate audio recording quality. The interpretation of General MIDI left a little to be desired and there's no MIDI input, although MIDI output can be positioned in 3D space. However, the card put in a great performance when it came to sampling analogue audio input.

The Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 costs less than the top model in Creative's own Sound Blaster X-Fi range. Auzentech has created a quality product that can make a great performance of just about anything that is put through it.