CREATIVECreative Sound Blaster AE-7 - High Resolution PCI-e DAC/Amplifier Sound Card with Xamp Discreet Headphone Bi-Amplifier and Grey/Black Audio Control Module

This will be a slightly lengthy review given that audio is highly subjective and I WAS the "average Joe" (very sporadically), an audio listener to music on any platforms (also in the absence of music production, sampling, or benchmarking) via 5.1 Creative Inspire T6300 speakers.Firstly, I felt the aesthetics would be excellent in a new transparent computer case (as per photos). However, this was a secondary reason for the acquisition. The design looks very professional, and ergonomically, it felt like a quality upgrade.I also previously had a PCI Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum EX (SB0090), technology dating back to before 2000 (when sound cards produced pitch-perfect instrumental translations of MIDI files and were a must have for an enhanced DOS gaming experience). However, this card was no longer logistical on a new PC given the lack of directly inserting PCI expansion card into new motherboards. So I had taken a calculated risk on this high fidelity audio component, when there is considerable debate as to whether onboard audio outperforms an expansion (slot in) card at all.In absence of drawing comparisons to other vendors, my impartial observations are below. NOTE: I have not utilised the Headphone bi-amp since I have historically preferred audio delivered via desktop speakers:1) I have utilised this soundcard for nearly 2 months. My initial mindset was to return the item after 1-2 weeks. I previously enjoyed relatively more low frequency, "bass" components in favour of the mid-range aspects. I felt a distinct lack initially. However, this could be related to numerous factors, some of which were beyond my control. I wasn't confident in modifying the equaliser settings in the software since I expected a "one-size fits all" for an audio card in respect to my intended usage. Hence, I continued to use the product for longer to formulate a better opinion (given all permutations), while practically all settings in the SoundBlaster command software were set to close to factory defaults.2) At a given volume level with the Creative SoundBlaster AE-7, I had to adjust the onboard sound volume bar setting to approximately 2-3 fold in Windows settings. I found a similar trend when I had the previous generation of Creative card with better ratio audio output than the onboard.3) I purchased a i9 PC just 1-2 weeks prior, predominantly for gaming (prior to purchasing the audio card). No conducted research factually led me to believe an audio card is superior.4) I am now thoroughly enjoying music harmonics via YouTube surfing, maintaining almost a steady 20% in Windows audio settings. I have spent significantly more time listening to music than gaming (on a gaming PC), and I have identified music artists that I thoroughly enjoy (Delta Goodrem and t.A.T.u) through endless streaming, which brings blistering engineered quality (that compliments the music artists "look and feel") into my room. There is no time bias since these several tracks were prominent over 15 years ago. I deduced both artists were instrument rich and utilised subtle "time-space" tempo harmonics releasing a plethora of emotions, and I believe AE-7 is built to handle the dynamics much better than onboard (however compared in limited capacity in practice). I can now readily identify and explore music that appeals to me (irrespective of the above artists), determine when to listen, hear the impact in a timely manner, and understand them more each time I listen repetitively and ENTIRE duration of the track. This has encouraged me to buy music CDs for the first time and also listen to music on a "de-facto" high quality medium.4) I would encourage anyone who requires pristine audio and appreciates the music artist's intentions (music more than likely produced on cutting edge technology) to reciprocate this range and EXPLORE this journey as an affordable upgrade. I feel immersed, not overwhelmed, and can refrain from navigating to high volume settings uneccessarily (this is potentially an underlying factor), and the audio still propagates outside of my room with the door closed.AE-7 has exceeded my expectations and delivered exactly that; it makes the sound "sound much better" and more captivating.Please accept any inaccuracies in word selections/typos since I am not from an audio background and written an elaborated review respectively, and have tried to formulate a transparent positive experience (without actually completing identical exhaustive testing on both configurations, other vendors or officially benchmarking).

Finally better sound then onboard, Been having slight issues with my onboard sound, distortion here and then. So decided to buy a sound card or cards should I say. Brought SBZ and SBXAE5 plus edition, both where nice cards but both were producing some static noises which I'm now sure this was a fault from my side of things and not of any of the 2 cards. I returned both of them and decided to buy this SBAE7 which I'm glad I did. It has a nicer titanium look and an external volume controller and mic which is handy for any desktops. Slightly better sound from both too. In regards to the static noise being produced through my Bose speakers and headphones, this was founded to be caused by both cards being inserted into the PCIE x 16 slot and not PCIE X1 even though PCIE x 16 does work, it was just causing some sort of interferences.I also kept the SBAE7 sound card far away as possible depending on slot availability from the GPU which may of helped, re/searched online to find a solution and reason for the unwanted static noise which I was experiencing and here it was, right underneath my very own eyes. So try this if you're experiencing any anti electrical static noise or distortion at any time. I did also have my GPU vertical mounted which looked very nice but limited most PCIE slots, now back to horizontal so my GPU is in the top slot PCIEx16 with sound card in bottom PCIE x1 slot.No static noise or any distortion etc, just PURE sound. Please if need be do switch off your HD onboard audio sound in bios just to be Crystal and update to the latest drivers, Hope this helps.

I had an old SB ZXR for many years and was very pleased with it's sound qualitybut recently had surround sound fail.I'm glad I bought the AE7 as it's a lovely card. easy to install and works great with windows 10.The drivers and software were easy to set up.Sounds amazing with a Denon sound system, VERY VERY pleased.