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Sound Blaster AE-9 32-bit / 384 kHz PCI-e Sound Card and DAC $449.95 Delivered @ Creative AU

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Sound Blaster AE-9 32-bit / 384 kHz PCI-e Sound Card and DAC $449.95 Delivered @ Creative AU
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AssociatedCLPL on 12/07/2021 - 17:42 au.creative.com (1209 clicks)
Last edited 12/07/2021 - 17:46 by 2 other users

Our Crown Jewel; The Best in PC Audio

Our flagship internal sound card. The crème de la crème. Made with top-notch audiophile-grade components including the ESS SABRE-class 9038 DAC, Nichicon “Fine Gold” capacitors, and swappable op-amps, the Sound Blaster AE-9 is the ultimate PCI-e sound card that money can buy.

It features one of the best specs in the industry with a jaw-dropping clean 129 dB DNR audio stream at up to 32-bit / 384 kHz playback over PCM, DSD64, an incredibly low Total Harmonic Distortion of -120 dB (0.0001%), and also debuts our CleanLine Technology, designed to filter and isolate noise along the mic path for crystal clear voice communication.

To top it all off, AE-9 comes with an audio control module featuring a large LED display, an SBX button for you to turn on and off Sound Blaster processing directly, and a large multifunction control knob that lets you control your volume plus switch between headphones and speakers in an instant.

"If you want top-notch sound quality and a wide range of recording options, the AE-9 is a clever all-in-one solution that justifies its premium price tag."- Digital Foundry / Eurogamer

Check out videos and reviews!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVo6vtyRze0&t=3s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eXpHf_HzhE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9-ulTBgd9I&t=2s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIofGekzbC0&feature=emb_logo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWWEoJBSR7I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etfaWdL8yUE

Referral Links

Referral: random (3)

$5 credit for the referrer.

Electrical & Electronics Computer Component Creative DAC Sound Card

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closed Comments

  • MasterScythe on 12/07/2021 - 17:51
    +31

    Now we're talking, great piece of kit; but It's only 2% off, It's really not a 'bargain', by most standards.

  • thackleberry on 12/07/2021 - 17:54
    +12

    Agreed, something I'm interested in, but 2% off this is an ad!

  • Guybrush57 on 12/07/2021 - 18:08
    +3

    Very odd for a person associated with the company to be advertising a $10 off sale for a product that costs $470.

    It is a pretty cool looking sound card though. Reminds me of my X-Fi Elite Pro.

  • s1Lence on 12/07/2021 - 18:14
    +1

    this seems a bit overpriced, for about the same price you can get a jds labs atom dac, amp and a scarlett solo

    • happyangus on 12/07/2021 - 19:00

      For the items you mentioned are you assuming buying the jds stuff from jds directly? Because addicted to audio charges crazy prices for the jds stuff (like $240) so the dac/amp combo at $480aud is already more than this card before even adding the scarlett.

      From JDS directly its ~$343 aud for amp, dac and shipping. Then add another $180 for the scarlett to make it $520 which I guess one could argue is "about the same price".

      If you know a way to get the JDS amp and dac without getting ripped off on shipping I'd really like to know

      • s1Lence on 12/07/2021 - 19:18
        +1

        yea directly from jds, even with the shipping it's much cheaper than the local stock but it depends on the exchange rate at the time so the price can vary, i got it for $330 but if the exchange rate is good you can get it for closer to $320

        still puts the total (with the solo) in the high 400s so it is a bit more than this but considering how much you're getting for nearly the same price it shows how expensive the sound blaster is, hardly a bargain

  • Nilfunds on 12/07/2021 - 18:23
    +3

    page doesn't even load

    and then you have those crappy drivers

    pass

    • bargaino on 12/07/2021 - 18:33

      The emperor has no clothes!

  • IsTops on 12/07/2021 - 18:26

    what's currently the best sound card out there?

    • roddy84 on 12/07/2021 - 18:40

      Different things for different uses.

      This one does the pc gaming thing well and it seems most of the initial problems seem to have been fixed.

  • thisisscotts on 12/07/2021 - 18:30
    +5

    Bring back the Aureal A3D technology in the Diamond Monster Sound!

    basks in the glory of the good ol' days

    • GeneralSkunk on 12/07/2021 - 20:41
      +1

      I've got a Gravis Ultrasound in the cupboard somewhere… it's as big as one of the new graphics cards!

      • thisisscotts on 12/07/2021 - 23:42

        Oh man… the days when you had to go to the Audio Settings menu and select Sound Blaster, Gravis Ultrasound or PC Speaker!

  • BargainKen on 12/07/2021 - 18:31
    +6

    Soundblaster… Now that's a name I've not heard in a long time.

    https://i.imgflip.com/5g7apm.jpg

    • bargaino on 12/07/2021 - 18:36
      +1

      I seem to remember buying one with a CD reader.
      Am still not quite sure why you want a sound card to interface a digital optical drive, but that's how it was.

      • BargainKen on 12/07/2021 - 19:00

        Yup they used to sell them bundled

  • umadbrahhhh on 12/07/2021 - 18:34
    +1

    Can I mine with this?

    • eug on 12/07/2021 - 20:03
      +7

      Yes. If you buy it for me, it will be mine.

  • roddy84 on 12/07/2021 - 18:35
    +4

    Be aware Creative AU don't use an Australian bank so although billed in AU dollars you will probably be hit with foreign fees on top to the $449.95.

    • bargaino on 12/07/2021 - 18:42
      -4

      This is OzBargain. If you have a bank account that charges foreign transaction fees, you really need to hand in your membership.

      • roddy84 on 12/07/2021 - 18:56
        +11

        If you don't realise your buying from overseas though you may not use it.

  • M00Cow on 12/07/2021 - 18:45
    +3

    should i upgrade my Sound Blaster 2 pro? does this have a CD rom interface?

    • Heaps for Cheaps on 12/07/2021 - 19:07

      I never trusted Creative Labs after my 3dBlaster VLB graphics add-on card kept on crashing… for $400 and paper-run money I could have invested that cash in some domain names…

      • justtoreply on 12/07/2021 - 20:47
        +2

        Ever since speaking to a creative employee years ago I lost all desire to use a creative product

        Which is a shame as i want a sound card. Asus driver support is useless and i think the Nu is dead.

  • ultramic on 12/07/2021 - 18:48
    +3

    At this price, aren't you better off getting an amp + DAC stack from the likes of JDS, Schiit, SMSL, Topping etc ?

    • Aildaris on 12/07/2021 - 20:49
      +1

      Very much so. Much better value for higher quality stuff that way

  • AusGamer on 12/07/2021 - 19:02
    +1

    Easily prefer the Schiit stack I ordered direct. $335 AUD and arrived within a week.

  • Grannular on 12/07/2021 - 19:08

    Didn't even know Sound Blaster was still a thing

  • xenoic on 12/07/2021 - 19:14
    +3

    I’ve got a Schiit stack (Modius+Magnius) and it’s a lot more practical than having a PCIE sound card because

    1) I can use it between my Mac + PC + PS5
    2) I don’t need any drivers
    3) I don’t need to have a running PC
    4) less susceptible to EMF noises from the PC
    5) I can easily sell the Schiit stack in the future comparing to a SB sound card

    • SBOB on 12/07/2021 - 19:16
      +5

      6) when people ask how good your sound card setup is you get to tell then "it's the schiit"

    • roddy84 on 12/07/2021 - 19:28

      This has 5.1 and phantom power.

      • Aildaris on 12/07/2021 - 21:50
        +1

        Virtual surround is mostly a gimmick. A solid pair of proper headphones does just as good a job in most scenarios, if not better. Phantom power is kinda nice, but as other people have suggested, a separate device (like the Scarlett or an even cheaper option) does the same job while still letting you get a nicer amp/DAC in the process.

        • roddy84 on 12/07/2021 - 22:04
          +2

          This does 5.1 speakers not virtual 5.1. Says virtual 7.1 but my views on virtual are the same as yours.

          Also for speakers this doesn't have an amp so you will need to pony up a fair chunk of change for anything decent if you are buying it over other dacs for the 5.1.

          I've got dacs as well but for what this is it does it well now (had software issues at launch) and is a tidy little unit.

          For a $10 saving over the launch price I got it for almost 2 years ago i wouldn't vote it as a bargain.

    • Lost-Sons of dallas on 12/07/2021 - 20:21

      How do u have yours hooked up to the pc and ps5? Usb and rca?

      • Aildaris on 12/07/2021 - 21:46

        I think the RCA's are only output. Most likely one on USB and one Optical for that setup

      • xenoic on 12/07/2021 - 23:16

        I hooked up the Mac and PC via a USB hub and the PS5 via optical (connected via HDMI/optical adapter)

        The Schiit Modius has 4 switchable inputs (XLR, RCA, Optical and Coaxial)

  • Hornpub on 12/07/2021 - 19:17
    +2

    Sound Blaster
    amazing hardware,
    dog shit software.

    • ry34 on 13/07/2021 - 00:15

      it is getting better… slowly.
      I'm using a SoundBlaster X-AE5 which receives quarterly software updates

  • krisspy on 12/07/2021 - 20:05
    +2

    Internal sound cards are still a thing? I mean you're trying to get rid of noise, doesn't help that you've attached something to an electronically noisy environment plus the vibration from all those fans.

    • petry on 12/07/2021 - 21:44
      +1

      i agree for around 200 or less you can get good deals on external usb dacs/amps - much less interference and excellent sound.

      • eug on 12/07/2021 - 21:54

        Is there actually interference on this card, or is it just an assumption?

        It's definitely possible to design a device with good shielding (e.g. that metal plate that's covering most of the card would help), so interference may not actually be an issue.

        • petry on 12/07/2021 - 23:10

          some boards are noisy, and crackling can be machine related. the board itself may be noisefree except when in location.

          externals are independent and easier to move around pc's.

          • eug on 12/07/2021 - 23:14

            @petry:

            some boards are noisy, and crackling can be machine related. the board itself may be noisefree except when in location.

            Yes, but is there actually interference on this card, or is it just an assumption? You specfically said there is "much less interference". How much interference is there?

            • petry on 12/07/2021 - 23:18

              @eug: its completely individual when it occurs. you can assume what you like.

              • eug on 12/07/2021 - 23:28

                @petry:

                its completely individual when it occurs. you can assume what you like.

                Individual?
                OK, so it was an assumption.

  • moo on 12/07/2021 - 20:16

    I miss my Sound Blaster 16 ISA. Classic!

  • reactor-au on 12/07/2021 - 20:22

    I need to test my xonar d2x with ryzen 3 to see if it's compatible, drivers are always a hit and miss case with soundcards these days though

  • Manny Calavera on 12/07/2021 - 20:48
    +1

    Is it still IRQ 7?

    • GeneralSkunk on 12/07/2021 - 20:50

      You forgot DMA 1. Address, 0x220 or something?

    • ry34 on 13/07/2021 - 00:19
      +1

      SET BLASTER = A220 I5 D1 T3

      shrug it used to be something like that

      • masya on 13/07/2021 - 00:35

        I remember that code! Was it in autoexec.bat? Or as cmd line for games?

        • ry34 on 13/07/2021 - 00:38
          +1

          perhaps config.sys?

          edit: no, you were right it was autoexec.bat

          • masya on 13/07/2021 - 00:40
            +1

            @ry34: just googled it - they say set via AUTOEXEC.BAT usually

  • GeneralSkunk on 12/07/2021 - 20:50

    Sheesh, the specs on this are way overboard. It's really just about marketing now. Sample rate of anything above about 96kHz is indiscernible to the human ear (actually, 44kHz still covers the whole human ear frequency range comfortably - "CD quality"). And 32bit? That's 4 billion points of resolution in the amplitude! Even 16-bit is 65k points, that's sufficient. In my opinion, 24-bit, 96kHz is more than good enough.

    • Phoebus on 13/07/2021 - 16:54

      Audiophile is a mental illness that some disreputable people take advantage of to make sales.
      No human can tell the difference between 16bit 44kHz and 24bit 96Khz samples.

  • jastreb on 12/07/2021 - 21:12
    +3

    Why is this on OZBARGAIN? $10 off and its $459 retail

    • petry on 12/07/2021 - 23:46
      +1

      because good sound deals are voted off lol

  • Phoebus on 12/07/2021 - 21:25

    I'll hold on to my money into creative finally makes a 64 bit 1 mHz card

    • Jenny Death on 12/07/2021 - 21:59

      Didnt even know 64bit audio was a thing

      • GeneralSkunk on 13/07/2021 - 12:45

        Oh it will be, I’m sure!

  • Aildaris on 12/07/2021 - 22:04
    +1

    There are plenty of options that are much better value, while being higher quality too. Unless you desperately need the Phantom Power, have a look at some other, external options (even then, you can probably afford a dedicated device for that with how much you'd save).
    The iFi Zen DAC and a nice pair of Sennheiser's (HD58x, HD560s or HD6XX on sale) will end up being the same price for a full setup and have a much higher resell value.

    • xenoic on 12/07/2021 - 23:19

      +1 for the iFi Zen DAC. However I’m on the Schiit but would like to have a go with Zen DAC

  • pacificstorm on 13/07/2021 - 04:49

    "and swappable op-amps". Yes. Brings back sweet sound memories. 🔊

  • bargaino on 13/07/2021 - 10:19

    Genuine question here: what is the purpose of putting such an expensive DAC inside your PC ?

    I'd have thought it makes more sense to just use a standard digital output to you favourite amplifier.
    Digital is digital, no? (assuming the right codec, or uncompressed)

    • petry on 13/07/2021 - 11:06

      to me its just an old idea that has run its course… the speed of pc connectivity and its practicality make externals more cost effective and simple. machine goes down shift to another and just unplug your usb device.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/07/2021 - 10:41

    How does it compare to Behringer UMC202HD

  • nadstar on 13/07/2021 - 11:43

    is this worth upgrading from an aging Asus Xonar STX - am needing a sound card with external RCA outs to connect into my amps - or am i better going down the external dacs route?

    • roddy84 on 13/07/2021 - 12:32

      A big reason you get this is the control device.

      If you don't need 5.1, phantom power or something else this unit offers that an external dac doesn't you would be crazy to go this over the external dac.

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