I was sent the image for the new Auzentech Prelude 7.1 from Auzentech support. From the research I have done this is the first image of the new card. You can see the replacable LM4562NA Opamps on the front channels and the hardwired SOIC OPA2134's near the cards outputs. You can also see the AUD_EXT pin header featured on some Audigy series and/or X-fi cards but recent information has outlined that it is NOT compatible with current Creative Labs drive bay devices . This pic should keep people dreaming for quite a while. You have a "Gamer" card with the amazing sound quality of higher end HTPC card like the X-Meridian 7.1. and you get support for realtime Dolby Digital encoding and future support for HDMI 1.3. Given these features what more could you ask for in a soundcard? -Can we get some comments?



Key Components
Creative X-Fi CA20K Audio Processor
One AKM AK-5394 super high performance 192kHz 24-bit ADC for analog input
Four AKM AK-4396 192kHz 24-bit advanced multi-bit DAC for analog output
64Mbytes of memory for audio processing
High fidelity audio OP-Amps for analog input and output
Front L/R output OP-Amp is replaceable by end-user
Dual mode SPDIF receiver and transmitter

IO Connectors
One 3.5mm MIC input connector in rear panel
One 3.5mm line input connector in rear panel
One 4-pin AUX connector on board
Four 3.5mm 8 channel line output connectors in rear panel
(FL/FR/C/SW/RL/RR/RSL/RSR)
One S/PDIF combo input connector in rear panel for receiving either coaxial
or optical digital
One S/PDIF combo output connector in rear panel for transmitting either
coaxial or optical digital
16-bit to 24-bit recording sampling rates: 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32,
44.1, 48 and 96kHz
One 10-pin front panel connector on board for MIC input and headphone support
One 40-pin digital extension header on board to support AD-Link and other
digital functionality NOTE: NOT compatible with existing Creative drive bay devices, attempts at
connection may damage your card and/or bay device

Technical Specifications
24-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion of analog inputs at 96kHz sample rate
24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of digital sources at 96kHz to analog
7.1 channel speaker output
24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of stereo digital sources at 192kHz to
stereo output
16-bit to 24-bit recording sampling rates: 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32,
44.1, 48 and 96kHz
ASIO 2.0 support at 16-bit/44.1kHz, 16-bit/48kHz, 24-bit/44.1kHz
24-bit/48kHz and 24-bit/96kHz with direct monitoring.
Enhanced SoundFont support of up to 24-bit resolution

Here is the link to the Hi-Res version:
Auzen X-Fi Prelude Hi-Res

This thread will be kept up to date with any new information regarding this product we come across. Stayed tuned for further details...

Updates: June 05, 2007
"Auzen X-FI™ Prelude 7.1 Release Update
Santa Clara, CA -June 4, 2007: Auzentech, Inc. - developer of the world's first Dolby® Digital Live and DTS® Connect PCI sound card, announced today a revised shipping date of the end of June for the company's new sound card based on the Creative X-FI™ chipset. The revised June 2007 release date for the Auzen X-FI™ Prelude 7.1 is a response to confirmed parts availability. The original date -- based on projected parts availability -- had placed the ship date near the end of May." -Information taken from Auzentech site directly.

Updates: June 11, 2007
I asked about supported standards on the card and was sent this list.
Here is what will be supported and not supported:

DolbyR Digital Live: Yes
DolbyR Pro LogicR IIx: No
DolbyR Virtual Speaker: No
DolbyR Headphone: No
DTS InteractiveT: Yes
DTS Neo:PCT: Yes

However, these driver will be updated in Q4 of 2007 and Q1 of 2008.
Main features such as Dolby Digital Live and DTS connect will be added
through driver updates. All features of the X-fi processor will also be
available to the user such as CMSS3D for Headphones. The main Digital
standards everybody loves such as Dolby Digital Live and DTS-Connect
will be alive and well on this new flagship card.

The HDMI 1.3 Situation

Much speculation and questions surround this device. I also asked what
standards would be supported on this HDMI 1.3 X-tension board. I asked if we
would be getting these HDMI standards:

1. Dolby Digital-HD
2. Dolby TrueHD
3. DTS-HD
4. DTS-MasterHD.

The information clearly stated the new HDMI 1.3 X-Tension board will support
ALL STANDARDS.

Updates: June 13, 2007
Auzentech updates Website
Auzen X-fi Prelude Page

Updates June 21, 2007
Auzen X-Tension DIN has been released

Info from the Auzen site:
Turn your PC into a virtual studio workstation with the Auzen X-Tension™ DIN.

You're into audio. You want MIDI in and out. Another microphone input. The purity of digital in and out at 24-bits/192 kHz resolution. Optical or coaxial connections. You want to hear everything and record anything. And now you can.
Let the Auzen X-Tension™ DIN unlock the potential of your compatible Auzen soundcard. To learn more, start by viewing images of the X-Tension DIN.

This X-tension card is compatible with both X-Meridian and X-Fi Prelude.

Auzen X-Tension DIN Page

First Review of the X-Tension DIN

Just to be clear this is NOT the HDMI 1.3 board that people have been speaking about.
The HDMI board is reported to be released within the next few months. That being said, the card will be released that is for sure. Exactly when is another question.

Auzen X-FI™ Prelude 7.1 Release Update
Santa Clara, CA -June 30, 2007: Auzentech, Inc. developer of the world's first Dolby® Digital Live and DTS® Connect PCI sound card, announced today a revised shipping estimate of July for the company's new sound card based on the Creative X-FI™ chipset.
The revised July 2007 release date for the Auzen X-FI™ Prelude 7.1 allows for in-depth testing of both drivers and hardware. The analysis performed by Auzentech engineers is more detailed than that described on audiophile websites, and is one reason for the superior audio produced by Auzen soundcards.

New Pictures Added.
July 18, 2007 - The last two pictures are shots of the final production card. Some were asking about a heat sink on this model and these pictures verify there will in fact be a heat sink. Below are the new pictures. Enjoy, Check back frequently for further updates!

New Pictures Added.
July 26, 2007 - More production shots of the card showing small changes in coloring and new packing shots also. In the interest of size and filing The new shots are added here:
Production Shots

If they build this card to the specs you reported, I do not care what it costs. I will buy it. I always want the X-FI for gaming, but I cannot bear to put up with the crappy Creative drivers and I will not give up the DTS encoding that my speakers and ears deserve.

__________________
ASUS P5Q Pro w/C2D E7200
Mushkin Redline PC2-8000 2X2GB
Visiontek HD 4870 512MB w/Dell 2709W
BFG 680W LS
ASUS Xonar DX2 w/Logitech Z680's
Coolermaster HAF 932/Vista 64 Ultimate

[sarcasm]Creative drivers are awesome man[/sarcasm]
Same very interested in this card.

__________________
Rocket Surgery-A Combination of Rocket Science & Brain Surgery
Nothing in Moderation
Problems with your DC Order? PM Direct Canada's Forum Rep

Alot of people are very interested in this card. It seems to have something for everybody.

Yes it does have something for everybody. If I didn't already own 2 X-fi cards, I would seriously consider this...

Any hints as to it's realease? :)

Yo, mates.
I hope we're gonna have something to do with this card...If HAL of audio acceleration under Vista is able to be enabled with this card, X-Fi Official would be as well. so, let's pray and wait to see whether mod works.

Greetings from PRC
classic leon

Creative has supposedly released official drivers so who knows if they will get it to work, but don't look for HAL anytime soon under Vista, it is just not going to be in there.

__________________
ASUS P5Q Pro w/C2D E7200
Mushkin Redline PC2-8000 2X2GB
Visiontek HD 4870 512MB w/Dell 2709W
BFG 680W LS
ASUS Xonar DX2 w/Logitech Z680's
Coolermaster HAF 932/Vista 64 Ultimate

they still say Mid to end of June. I expect another push back. Auzen won't release it until it's perfect. Hardware and software...
Nice to see you around Classic Leon. Are you guys, considering making some drivers for the Prelude Leon?

As long as they make good XP drivers I'm buying it. There is no doubt in my mind.

__________________
ASUS P5Q Pro w/C2D E7200
Mushkin Redline PC2-8000 2X2GB
Visiontek HD 4870 512MB w/Dell 2709W
BFG 680W LS
ASUS Xonar DX2 w/Logitech Z680's
Coolermaster HAF 932/Vista 64 Ultimate