Just curious about how others think about the sound of the card?
 
I mix music so I really appreciate the overall flat response, yet there's a soft sheen added to the high end frequencies and a bold focus in the low end that easily make this a great card for enhancing an entertainment experience.
 
What's your perception?

Really surprised at how good it sounds for a company that has never released an audio card before. I have a speaker power amp that I usually don't mess with the knobs, just turn it on. And compared to my 24 bit 192K Focusrite Scarlett interface I immediately noticed much more volume and power when maxed out in Windows. I like how the software lets me adjust sample rates and bit rates so easily.

LordGTXTitan
I have a problem with my Microphone. I am using the newest firmware and the newest driver. No matter how I configurate my microphone, it sounds like volume 100% and mice boost lvl 3 and as if you would put my microphone into my mouth.
 
Using a Beyerdynamic MMX300 Gen. 1

Have you disabled the Microsoft Mic Boost in the properties, if there is one?  Also, have you tried recording the mic with an application to test the volume?  What happens if you try the Line-In instead of the Mic-In?

MSim

bcavnaugh
We Need Driver to support Dolby Digital before I can complete my Review
NU Audio Review Pre-Driver with Dolby Digital Support

Looks like the Razer Leviathan Dolby Digital only works with the Optical cable. The NU Audio will not improve the audio quality, when you use optical out on the sound card. Razer Leviathan has it's own audio processing chip built into it.

You left this part out of your Quote of my Post Above
But so far it Sounds Great, I am using only an Optical Cable.
Today I tested with the 2.2 Channel Bluetooth Sound Bar, hmovie TV Soundbar with Built-in Dual Subwoofer(Wireless Home Theater Speaker,41-Inch, 90W, 4 Drivers, Remote Control) but the Sound Volume seems low but louder than the On Board Audio and it has no Sub Woofer. (Also using an Optical Cable)
 
Yes as I have told you before in another Post and I know what I am Buying with my Money as others do as well.
I do own Both and Know how to connect it up and why I Bought Both in the Frist Place.
Have A Nice Day.

When you connected the mic cable to the to line-in port, did you also have NU Audio setup like this:
 

Netherspark
Would be great if someone were able to provide a direct comparison with the SB Zxr or AE-5.
 
I bought the AE-5 a few months ago to upgrade from my basic SBZ, and while there's a clear improvement it isn't as much as I'd hoped.

If you send me a SB Zxr and AE-5 I would be happy to compare them for you.

Netherspark
Would be great if someone were able to provide a direct comparison with the SB Zxr or AE-5.
 
I bought the AE-5 a few months ago to upgrade from my basic SBZ, and while there's a clear improvement it isn't as much as I'd hoped.

Yeah, I did run a test on the two alongside the Nu Audio.The AE-5 gives slightly more bass although most details tend to stay audible. The ZXr has bloated bass if you use the headphone jack.  The Nu Audio's clarity won me over the other two cards. If pure audio quality is all you're looking for definitely the Nu Audio is where it's at. If you find yourself using those other features typically found in Creative's offerings, you'll need to evaluate that carefully. 

EVGATech_LeeM
When you connected the mic cable to the to line-in port, did you also have NU Audio setup like this:
 

Yes, Sir!

Two friends of mine bought an SBZ and I told them not to, because it is poorly manufactured. Guess whose soundcards are broken now? 

I had SBZ 4 years. It was great mid range sound card with a lot of improvement compare to best onboard sound cards.
Only problem I had was driver. I only used driver from DVD I got in box with sound card but I use him without problems.
Than I used chance to buy very cheap new SBZxR. Improvement was even bigger and huge difference compare to SBZ I notice instantly after I install card.
Same problem, only driver from DVD was normal. Then Windows 10 show up and I had problems to fix changing channels. But I forbid SB Controller update with Windows Update and resolve problem.
Solution was to connect one by one speaker and to test in manager and than no changing  channels.
But no drivers any more from 2015 and card costed 250$ in stores. Even now price is over 200$ and you used drivers build for Windows 7 with explanation of Creative that they will not launch new drivers. That's disaster.
Because of that my advice is EVGA NU Audio.
At least EVGA will try to deal with new MS codes from Windows 10 and follow their updates of OS and launch new drivers.
Because of that it's more smart investment than card build during 2013. During build of SBZxR OS was completely different.
 
I have some old low quality 5.1 Creative system. Every day I prey god to something die to justify upgrade on pair of small active PC Speakers.
Audioengine A2+ or A5+ are great options for these gaming sound cards. Off course 5.1 is better. But If someone have only 200-300$ better sound will be from pair of speakers because 5.1 of same quality would cost almost 1K.

Nemmera

LordGTXTitan
Two friends of mine bought an SBZ and I told them not to, because it is poorly manufactured. Guess whose soundcards are broken now? 

While I love bashing Creative as much as the next guy, my ZxR has held up for 6 years without much issue (other than drivers, sigh). 

Care to elaborate what's "broken" about their Z's?

Both reinstalled Windows 10 several times including several driver versions. Everytime the tab in / out while playing any game they'll echo in discord / teamspeak / skype (you are able to hear yourself and anysound which is happening ingame).
Also the soundcard tends to make funny noises randomly in voice programs and it gets so loud that you'll have to kick them and they need to reboot their computer and sometimes even rebooting doesn't help. Only shutting the computer off for serveral minutes.
Both are using a newly bought Beyerdynamic MMX300 headset which is working fine on other computers.

Update: I just installed the Muses02 Op-amp and of the bat it's sounding amazing. The issue with vocals and high mids has almost gone, and the sound stage expanded. Details and bass are plentiful with added EMOTION which was lacking.
 
It's still burning in and is loose slightly in some places (to be expected with no warm up or break in) but man does Yanni and Nils Lofgren sound insane now. The feelings conveyed are just up there. It's getting there, not yet though.