Chaintech AV-710

[irwincur]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.