X-FI Modding

gurusan

gurusan

gurusan

Soldato
Joined
2 Sep 2006
Posts
13,483
Location
Forest Grove, OR, 'Merica
So I used to have a XFI and miss the good sound....so I bought another one and it should be here soon.

I've been doing some reading about swapping the opamp(s) with the LM4562 and changing one of the caps for a higher quality Black Gate cap.

Has anyone here performed these mods? Are they worth the trouble? I've been reading some pretty impressive claims as to the effect of these mods so that's what has got me inspired.
 
I'm looking to change out the power cap, but the Black Gates are no longer in production.

Are there any good alternatives?
 
Thanks for the pointer to head-fi.org

Tons of info there once you find the actual forum lol!

It's making me want to build my own headphone amp now.
 
Yeah I've done a bit of research and have a few LME4960s on their way to me now....and I decided against the black gates as they are best in analogue signals and I hear they are terrible in digital circuitry.

I was tempted to buy from Michael Percy anyway though just because the Grass Valley, Nevada City area is where I from. Graduated from Nevada Union Highschool! Lol I miss it :(

Anyway, so I bought a pack of Sanyo WG 16v 1500uf caps off the bay, these caps were recommended by a few people at head-fi.....changed the power cap out this morning and actually notice a difference, didn't think I would. The mids and highs seem a bit clearer and the bass seems to have become more tight. I've been told the cap will need to be burned in for approx 24-48 hours straight so it will be interesting to see if the sound improves over that time.
 
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Just to update....swapped out the opamp. I had a brief period of panic where only the left channel worked. Just cleaned up the soldering a bit and now it works...and omg the difference is night and day. This sound card really is amazing now.

Also, despite that one hiccup, the mod was much easier than I expected. I'm a noob at soldering and it only took me a few minutes.

here she is in action (LME4960MA)
next I'm going to short the decoupling caps and put on some EMI shielding

img3240eg3.jpg
 
Yeah that only happened to me once or twice when I used to have my XtremeMusic...and hasn't happened a single time since I've had the Platinum Champ...

I don't think the opamp will fix it though
 
No idea really. I don't know much about electronics. I assume it would work though as long as it fits physically.

Do you know the specs of the Burr Brown amp?
 
i wouldn't mind an emu 0404, but I enjoy tinkering and the XFI is far superior in games. Also now I'm completely satisfied with this card, the sound is so good.
 
gt_junkie said:
Hey gurusan,

Nice work - considering messing with an X-Fi i have sitting here. I was wondering whether your card model number was the SB0460 or SB0550.

I have the 460 variety - would i be right in assuming the OPamp you've used would work A-OK?

gt
Click to expand...

Yes, the mod works for both the SB0460 and SB0550....I have the SB0460 btw.

-Ad- said:
Sorry to bash the x-fi in here but the emu is superior than any creative card I have used in games. Sound quality isn't all about fancy gimmicks. Plus the drivers from Emu are awesome, never had any problems with them comapared to creative and some of their cards that friends PCs have had.

Plus the mods to a 0404 make a massive difference and don't cost particularly much. You need a fine tipped soldering iron (0.5mm) and a steady hand. Any help needed shoot me an e-mail (in trust).
Click to expand...

Well I haven't heard the EMU before, but I almost can't imagine how the sound could be better...then again, I'm only a noob audiophile but I do have a very good ear.
 
I also recommend changing out the crappy Jamicon power filter cap with something better with a super low ESR.

I used a Sanyo WG 16V 1500uF
 
Hmm I never had any crackling at high volumes on either of my xfis...

but anyway you just need an opamp for the line out/headphone out channel
http://www.national.com/pf/LM/LME49860.html#Availability

you can replace all of them if you have a surround system.

And like I said before, I recommend changing out the power filter cap. I found the Sanyo WG to work pretty well since it's not too physically big. You can find them on the bay
 
I don't know really. I heard good things about the Rubycon MBZ...also good things about the Sanyo WG.

Apparently the choice in cap can have a big impact on the sound signature, which I don't quite understand as it's only filtering power.

You can always get a socket and try different ones without having to resolder.
 
altec lansing 2.1 setup ugh.

I use headphones so it's much easier to spot quality differences.

If you run a lineout to your 2.1 setup and it's amplified from there I don't think the opamp mod will do you much good tbh...as the opamp isn't doing much amping.

If you want to improve your SQ then I recommend either switching to headphones or getting a better 2.1 setup like the Aego M
 
I dont really know to be honest. I think that if you want to improve sound quality through your speaker system then you should be upgrading the speakers and external amp, and not so much the card.

Ask over at head-fi.org ...lots of info there
 
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