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Helpful ReplyPro: Amazing upgrade from ZxR!

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BizSAR
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2019/12/24 13:47:02 (permalink)
Just got my NU Audio Pro and installed it yesterday.
I must admit I was a little skeptical that I would hear an improvement from my Create ZxR sound card, but WOW! Quite a noticeable improvement.
The app could use some UI tweaking, and some additional features would be a nice-to-have, but otherwise a job VERY well done, EVGA! 

BizSAR
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Cool GTX
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Re: Pro: Amazing upgrade from ZxR! 2019/12/25 14:55:57 (permalink)
Nice to see your impressed

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EVGA_JacobF
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Re: Pro: Amazing upgrade from ZxR! 2019/12/26 10:34:24 (permalink)
Let us know the additional UI tweaks you would like to see.


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DannyW75
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Re: Pro: Amazing upgrade from ZxR! 2019/12/26 14:03:33 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby BizSAR 2019/12/26 15:01:46
Hey BizSAR. the AKM 4493 DAC chips used on the Nu Audio Pro are a full step up in sound quality from the PCM1794 BurrBrown DAC chip on the ZXR. Also, the AKM 4493 is a neutral DAC chip in its sound signature, where the PCM1794 is warmer sounding in its presentation, with less treble extension. You will have noticeable improvements in sound quality. Bass tightness, soundstage depth, imaging, instrument separation and placement, vocal clarity, as well as treble extension and detail will all be improved.  It is an excellent DAC chip.
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DMinnitti
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Re: Pro: Amazing upgrade from ZxR! 2019/12/26 14:10:44 (permalink)
DannyW75
Hey BizSAR. the AKM 4493 DAC chips used on the Nu Audio Pro are a full step up in sound quality from the PCM1794 BurrBrown DAC chip on the ZXR. Also, the AKM 4493 is a neutral DAC chip in its sound signature, where the PCM1794 is warmer sounding in its presentation, with less treble extension. You will have noticeable improvements in sound quality. Bass tightness, soundstage depth, imaging, instrument separation and placement, vocal clarity, as well as treble extension and detail will all be improved.  It is an excellent DAC chip.




Whoa thats great info, can you tell me about the jump from the X-fi titanium to the nu pro?
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BizSAR
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Re: Pro: Amazing upgrade from ZxR! 2019/12/26 14:30:44 (permalink)
That is awesome info. Thanks!

BizSAR
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DannyW75
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Re: Pro: Amazing upgrade from ZxR! 2019/12/26 14:32:10 (permalink)
Is your card the X-Fi Titanium or the X-Fi Titanium HD ? The Titanium HD is using the same PCM1794 DAC chip as the ZXR. You will have great improvements also if you are upgrading from either of those sound cards. Be aware as well, that if you want the Nu Audio Pro to become even more neutral and detailed in its presenation, an excellent choice would be to take out all of the opamps on the card, and replace them all with LME49860NA opamps. This opamp is capable of handling a voltage range from ±2.5V to ±22V. They are safe to use in the main card and the daughter card just fine. You can replace all of the opamps on the main Nu Audio Pro 7.1 card, and also the daughter board with these if you wish. This will once again improve the soundstage, dynamics, bass tightness, and treble detail of the card even further. The OPA275 oapmps used on the Nu Audio Pro daughter board are slightly V shaped in their sound signature, so the LME49860NA is an excellent replacement if you are after further improvements in neutrality and even more detail. It is also a very low distortion opamp, so sibilance or harshness is not  an issue. This is a discontinued opamp, and only one authentic seller of them still exists on ebay. You can get them at the link. Each auction is for two opamps.
 
https://www.ebay.com/itm/...d=p2060353.m1438.l2649
 
Edit: I am sure you guys saw my thread about the Nu Audio Pro 7.1. I ended up getting a faulty card with a defective analog section on it. However, do not let this discourage you from buying. In talking with EVGA, I was told that several hundred of these cards have now already been sold. Myself, and only one other person have ended up with a faulty card. These cards go through strict quality control checks, so no one should have any issues. I was just unlucky.
 
 
post edited by DannyW75 - 2019/12/26 14:58:02
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DannyW75
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Re: Pro: Amazing upgrade from ZxR! 2019/12/26 14:38:25 (permalink)
I will have my replacement Nu Audio Pro 7.1 in the mail tomorrow. If you guys want me to put up a full impression compared to my ZXR card, that is not a problem. I have a few different opamps here as well, so I can let you guys know what improvements can be achieved with them also.
 
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DannyW75
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Re: Pro: Amazing upgrade from ZxR! 2019/12/26 14:50:10 (permalink)
Hey DMinnitti, there is one other thing I did not mention as well. The PCM1794 is a 24Bit DAC chip. With the Titanium HD and ZXR, the DAC allows for 24Bit/192kHz with 2 channels (stereo), and when using analog 5.1 multichannel, the cards are both limited to 24Bit/96kHz. With the Nu Audio Pro 7.1, the AKM 4493 is a 32Bit DAC chip. The card allows for 32Bit/384kHz for 2 channel audio, and 32Bit/192kHz for 5.1 or 7.1 analog multichannel. The AKM 4493 DAC chip is a full upgrade from the PCM1794 for 2 channel analog and 5.1/7.1 multichannel analog use.
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DMinnitti
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Re: Pro: Amazing upgrade from ZxR! 2019/12/26 20:45:11 (permalink)
DannyW75
Hey DMinnitti, there is one other thing I did not mention as well. The PCM1794 is a 24Bit DAC chip. With the Titanium HD and ZXR, the DAC allows for 24Bit/192kHz with 2 channels (stereo), and when using analog 5.1 multichannel, the cards are both limited to 24Bit/96kHz. With the Nu Audio Pro 7.1, the AKM 4493 is a 32Bit DAC chip. The card allows for 32Bit/384kHz for 2 channel audio, and 32Bit/192kHz for 5.1 or 7.1 analog multichannel. The AKM 4493 DAC chip is a full upgrade from the PCM1794 for 2 channel analog and 5.1/7.1 multichannel analog use.




I actually moved up from the Titanium "Fatality" the gaming model, which I'm going to go ahead and guess had worse audio than the Titan HD but you know I had to have the XRAM and EAX 5 for Battlefield 2.... 
 
This is my first non creative sound card since you plugged them into oldschool PCI (no e). I tried a Asus Strix DLX and was impressed with the sound jump but the drivers and bass managment were horrible and I had nasty coil whine with it. Luckily I only have moderate coil wine with the NU Pro, going to replace an older PSU and hope that gets rid of it.
 
Moving into a more audiophile setup while maintaining 7.1 was always a goal and I'm really glad I'm able to do it thanks to this card. Now if they could add crossover frequency i'd be in heaven. 
 
I'll look into the opamps you mentioned but that ebay page appears dead, either way thanks!
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DannyW75
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Re: Pro: Amazing upgrade from ZxR! 2019/12/26 21:19:03 (permalink)
The seller updated the listing. Here it is here.
 
https://www.ebay.com/itm/...85b:g:y1gAAOSw3ydVh-mg
 
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DannyW75
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Re: Pro: Amazing upgrade from ZxR! 2019/12/26 21:35:16 (permalink)
Regarding the LME opamps, the step up is the metal can LME49720HA. This is the flagship dual opamp from the LME4XXXX series. The only thing is, since this opamp is now discontinued, they are almost impossible to get. You will find sellers on EBAY, but they are all in China, and all fakes. There is only one authentic seller left on ebay, and they are in the USA. They sell the authentic gold metal cans. You would need to put these on adapters, and will need to know how to solder. I own 4 of the LME49720HA metal cans, and I can say that they are truly excellent opamps. They offer a truly audiophile sound experience. They are not cheap though. You can get them here. Do not bother buying them from China sellers on EBAY. If you do, they are guaranteed to be fakes.
 
https://www.ebay.com/itm/...a71:g:PGsAAOSwE19d-TYX
 
 
 
 
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