Chaintech AV-710

**irwincur** · 01-16-2005, 01:48 AM

Just bought one (AV-710).

I have had a Via Envy card in my HTPC for a long time now. I recently got fed up with the on board nVidia audio I had. Had some cash around and finally ordered an AV-710.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE.

Line in on the nVidia - buuuzzzzzzzz, sound, buz, sound, buzzz, move mouse - loud buzzzzzzzz, sound, etc...

Line in on the AV710 - sound sweet sound, no buzz at all.

Will not even mention the audio output capabilities. My old school 2.1 Boston Acoustics have never sounded better and cleaner. One of the best $25 investments I have made. I am sure that I will have this sound card for years.

I wonder though, does this card have the Wolfson rear (and switchable) codec that the Maddog does? It would be nice to use this card with a 2.1 system to its full advanatge. I could also just swap this card with the one in my HTPC that has the Wolfson.

**Schwarze Fee** · 01-17-2005, 11:42 AM

The rear channels on the AV-710 do indeed utilize the nice Wolfson DAC and all the VIA drivers have provisions for using it in stereo mode.
Does that mean you are using the card in "normal" instead of "hi-rez" mode? Because I am suprised you are that impressed with the card if that is the case.

That said I love my AV-710, at least when using thr Wolfson DAC. Well worth the money in any case.

**irwincur** · 01-17-2005, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Does that mean you are using the card in "normal" instead of "hi-rez" mode? Because I am suprised you are that impressed with the card if that is the case.

I am impressed because it has been such an improvement over the on board audio. My main use if for line in clarity (from my DCT6200 HDTV box), the old on board line in was terrible. This one is sharp.

I do need to get it into hi-res mode though.

**davnport** · 01-17-2005, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by irwincur
I am impressed because it has been such an improvement over the on board audio. My main use if for line in clarity (from my DCT6200 HDTV box), the old on board line in was terrible. This one is sharp.

I do need to get it into hi-res mode though.

Here you go!

**irwincur** · 01-18-2005, 11:13 AM

Did it last night, there is a problem however...

When set in Hi-Sample mode, the line-in is disabled, actaully all inputs are disabled. This does me no good as the primary use is to listen to the audio coming from my DCT6200 HDTV box. From what I have found, this is a hardware limitation of the Envy chip.

What I may end up doing is this... Using my onboard audio to 'collect' the line-in, while setting my speaker output to Hi-Sample on the AV-710. At least then I should be able to get my normal HDTV audio as well as experience Hi-Sample on my PC based sounds.

**iLuminatae** · 01-19-2005, 05:16 PM

I just received my chaintek today

Is there a concensus as to which driver to use?

I read that post and there are several drivers recommended.

This is solely for a headphone amp/headphones. My audigy is used for EAX gaming.

[edit - holy crap this thing sounds great!] There is a definate separation between channels here compared to what I had my audigy set at.

**Nabby** · 01-20-2005, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by iLuminatae
I just received my chaintek today Is there a concensus as to which driver to use?

I read that post and there are several drivers recommended.

This is solely for a headphone amp/headphones. My audigy is used for EAX gaming.

[edit - holy crap this thing sounds great!] There is a definate separation between channels here compared to what I had my audigy set at.

What drivers did you end up using?? I am picking one up today for my system setup. I was thinking of using the default VIA drivers but I'm not sure if those are the best or not.

**iLuminatae** · 01-20-2005, 05:51 PM

I used the 1.43d drivers. I think there are newer ones but from what I read there is issues with the volume control or something.

01-16-2005, 01:48 AM	#1
irwincur Mako Shark Join Date: May 2002 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 4,579	Chaintech AV-710 Just bought one (AV-710). I have had a Via Envy card in my HTPC for a long time now. I recently got fed up with the on board nVidia audio I had. Had some cash around and finally ordered an AV-710. WHAT A DIFFERENCE. Line in on the nVidia - buuuzzzzzzzz, sound, buz, sound, buzzz, move mouse - loud buzzzzzzzz, sound, etc... Line in on the AV710 - sound sweet sound, no buzz at all. Will not even mention the audio output capabilities. My old school 2.1 Boston Acoustics have never sounded better and cleaner. One of the best $25 investments I have made. I am sure that I will have this sound card for years. I wonder though, does this card have the Wolfson rear (and switchable) codec that the Maddog does? It would be nice to use this card with a 2.1 system to its full advanatge. I could also just swap this card with the one in my HTPC that has the Wolfson. __________________ If you really want 'em to be a single unit, duct tape your router to your modem. - Skydog 5/5/2005 MAIN - HP - e6300, 2GB DDR2, 300GB HDD, 250GB HDD, `6x DVD-RW, ATI X800GT, 500w Rosewill PSU Work - eMachine T6520, A64 3400+, 1GB PC 3200, 300GB HDD, 16x DVD R/RW, CD-ROM, Via Envy Sound HTPC - 2500XP, 1GB PC3200, 60GB HDD, 8x DVD R/RW, Via Envy Sound, ATI 9600PRO, 380w Antec PSU SERVER - 1800XP, 512MB PC2100, 3x40GB HDD (RAID5), 2x40GB HDD (RAID1), DDS3 Tape Drive, 300w Enermax PSU

01-18-2005, 11:13 AM	#5
irwincur Mako Shark Join Date: May 2002 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 4,579	Did it last night, there is a problem however... When set in Hi-Sample mode, the line-in is disabled, actaully all inputs are disabled. This does me no good as the primary use is to listen to the audio coming from my DCT6200 HDTV box. From what I have found, this is a hardware limitation of the Envy chip. What I may end up doing is this... Using my onboard audio to 'collect' the line-in, while setting my speaker output to Hi-Sample on the AV-710. At least then I should be able to get my normal HDTV audio as well as experience Hi-Sample on my PC based sounds. __________________ If you really want 'em to be a single unit, duct tape your router to your modem. - Skydog 5/5/2005 MAIN - HP - e6300, 2GB DDR2, 300GB HDD, 250GB HDD, `6x DVD-RW, ATI X800GT, 500w Rosewill PSU Work - eMachine T6520, A64 3400+, 1GB PC 3200, 300GB HDD, 16x DVD R/RW, CD-ROM, Via Envy Sound HTPC - 2500XP, 1GB PC3200, 60GB HDD, 8x DVD R/RW, Via Envy Sound, ATI 9600PRO, 380w Antec PSU SERVER - 1800XP, 512MB PC2100, 3x40GB HDD (RAID5), 2x40GB HDD (RAID1), DDS3 Tape Drive, 300w Enermax PSU

01-19-2005, 05:16 PM	#6
iLuminatae Tiger Shark Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Frozen North Posts: 991	I just received my chaintek today Is there a concensus as to which driver to use? I read that post and there are several drivers recommended. This is solely for a headphone amp/headphones. My audigy is used for EAX gaming. [edit - holy crap this thing sounds great!] There is a definate separation between channels here compared to what I had my audigy set at. __________________ Pooter: Dell XPS 1710 Music: ATH-A900, Headsave Classic AMP Games: Currently playing MW2, Dragon Age Origins, Assassins Creed II, Fallout 3 Gamertag Xbox: iluminatae Last edited by iLuminatae; 01-19-2005 at 09:08 PM.

01-20-2005, 05:51 PM	#8
iLuminatae Tiger Shark Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Frozen North Posts: 991	I used the 1.43d drivers. I think there are newer ones but from what I read there is issues with the volume control or something. __________________ Pooter: Dell XPS 1710 Music: ATH-A900, Headsave Classic AMP Games: Currently playing MW2, Dragon Age Origins, Assassins Creed II, Fallout 3 Gamertag Xbox: iluminatae

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01-17-2005, 11:42 AM	#2
Schwarze Fee Expensive Sushi Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 8	The rear channels on the AV-710 do indeed utilize the nice Wolfson DAC and all the VIA drivers have provisions for using it in stereo mode. Does that mean you are using the card in "normal" instead of "hi-rez" mode? Because I am suprised you are that impressed with the card if that is the case. That said I love my AV-710, at least when using thr Wolfson DAC. Well worth the money in any case.