Creative is about to release the AE-9 sound card ($299). It comes with external breakout box.  What does everything think about this sound card?
 
 
 
Some of the detailed specs:

• 129dB signal-to-noise ratio
• ESS Sabre 32 digital analog converter
• Replaceable opamps
• XAMP

 
 

Image Source: PCWorld.com
 

Image Source: PCWorld.com
 
If anyone's in the market for a high-end sound card for the PC. might be worth it to wait for reviews on this sound card.
 
 (i will update this topic once Creative has released the official specs for it)

Creative is targeting gamers, streamers and audiophiles. AE-9 would probably be way overkill for my headset (Sennheiser GAME ONE). I currently using Creative ($150) AE-5 sound card.
 
I was hoping EVGA NU Audio sound card would have software features to compete with Creative sound cards. When it comes to audio for gaming, watching movie, streaming videos or listening to music, creative has the best all around sound card for me.
 
The NU Audio sound card hardware looks well built. Maybe by this time next year, it will have more software features geared towards PC users like me.

And this is why I'd rather stick to onboard audio. The fact that all these audio card manufacturers keep coming up with enthusiast grade products at ridiculously high prices makes their products actually less appealing.

The problem I tripped on: In some cases (ahem, ASUS), onboard audio today isn't what it was a few years ago.
 
I build infrequently, so my last MB was an ASUS VI Formula... really nice onboard sound with a quality DAC and great headphone amp. Upon upgrading, I picked the XI Formula without much thought/research, just assuming it also would have great audio. Nope.
 
The XI Formula audio is okay, but it's nowhere near what the VI Formula had. Comparatively, the XI sounds lifeless and veiled, plus it has a weak headphone amp. I guess it might suffice if I didn't know better, but once you hear great audio, there's no going back.
 
Newegg doesn't allow returns on my MB, so I need a sound card. Still, $299 for the AE-9 would be very tough to swallow unless it's really something special. Hope to see more specs/reviews soon.

I wish people were still putting on their high end cards the coax input, like the Asus Zonar had.
I like the sound of that, and the stability, far better than the glass cable.
That said, the Zonar was the last high end sound card I bought (I think I still have an old creative x-fi somewhere in my closet, but meh).
I have gone onboard since then.
Also, for gaming, I now  have usb wireless sets with built in everything, so why even bother? And, Windows 10 limits you to everything going through the os anyway, so again why bother?
I get the whole audiophile thing, and I used to be one, but I am older now, have less money, my hearing isnt what it used to be, and MS is throttling everything to be Xbox anyway, so I just gave in and gave up.
:(

Umm, that is a windows 'feature'.
MS did that. Its 7.1 or stereo only, through openAL.
GO XBODOWS!!!
 
Try that card on a windows 7, no SP, or XP SP1 or SP2, and I bet it works fine.
Vista and up MS screwed everyone with openAL.
:(

Still no ETA or new information about the AE-9 sound card.
 

Still no ETA or why Creative delayed the release of this sound card.  
 
 
 
 
 

Over on reddit, Creative's rep mentioned some last-minute changes to the AE-9, no specifics, but it wouldn't be surprising if the NU Audio factored in there somehow.
 
In that and other AE-9 threads, he's mentioned Creative's upcoming anniversary, so that might suggest a July launch? (if Wikipedia is correct about the company's founding date)