Creative Technology is no stranger to the PC gaming world and their importance to both PC gaming and sound over the years would be hard to overstate. With the the Sound Blaster line turning 30, the firm has announced some new audio devices.
“Creative Technology Ltd continues its legacy of revolutionizing audio with the launch of its most advanced PCI-e sound cards ever – the Sound Blaster AE-9 and Sound Blaster AE-7. Built with only the most premium components, and complemented with the latest technologies from Creative, these sound cards are designed to define a new performance standard in this class for the ultimate PC entertainment experience.”
First up is the Sound Blaster AE-9, the new flagship PCIe sound card. It packs high end “audiophile-grade” components (Nichicon Fine-Gold capacitors, WIMA film/foil audio capacitors, swappable op-amps) and is powered by the ESS 9038 SABRE DAC. It offers native playback of LPCM files of up to 32-bit/384kHz, up to DSD64, and boasts a DNR of 129 dB.
Creative is debuted a new technology they call “CleanLine”.
“What really makes Sound Blaster AE-9 stand out against the competition is its CleanLine™ Technology, a new breakthrough in filtering a microphone path for clear and uncompromised voice communication. This latest technology features specially-designed circuitry and components which eliminates voltage rail issues and isolates unwanted noise caused by power supply ripple from high-performance GPUs. Sound Blaster AE-9 is the first ever to integrate this technology in its core, allowing users to forgo the need for a desktop mixer while still enjoying the benefits of having one.”
This flagship sound card will have a price to match at $349 – also included in the package is the discrete Xamp Headphone Bi-amplifier.
The other new audio card is the Sound Blaster AE-7.
The AE-7 is an upgrade over the current AE-5 sound card with a 127 dB DNR (up from the AE-5’s 122 dB), and it offers the same 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD64 playback capabilities of the flagship AE-9 from its ESS SABRE 9018 DAC.
The Sound Blaster AE-7 is $229, and includes an Audio Control Module that offers a built-in mic array and both 3.5 mm and 1/4 inch headphone/mic connectivity.
Deals For Current Owners
Existing Sound Blaster owners can save 15% by providing proof of purchase. More info about the offer go to the following link creative.com/upgrade.
