X-FI Modding

gurusan · 4 Jun 2008 at 20:35

lord filbuster said:
I don't suppose you could give me the link for a place that sells the opamps? i can't find any uk suppliers.

http://www.national.com/pf/LM/LME49860.html#Availability

Make sure to get the LME49860MA ....I ordered the NA at first on accident and it's way too big.

They are about 5 quid each, or you can just order a few samples and pay for the shipping like I did.

lord filbuster · 4 Jun 2008 at 20:44

Thanks a lot, samples are on the way

I know it is a long shot, but would this remove the crackle noise? I get it on vista and xp :/

gurusan · 4 Jun 2008 at 20:46

AFAIK the crackle has something to do with drivers. Which ones are you using?

lord filbuster · 4 Jun 2008 at 20:49

latest drivers for both, but it isnt a particularly large problem, only happens once every hour or so for a few seconds.

mrk · 4 Jun 2008 at 20:50

I'm guessing the modding won't help an XFI gamer

Time to get an EMU 0404 methinks!

gurusan · 4 Jun 2008 at 20:51

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

gurusan · 4 Jun 2008 at 20:52

mrk said:
I'm guessing the modding won't help an XFI gamer

Time to get an EMU 0404 methinks!

yeah the gamer can be modded the same way. It's only the XtremeAudio that can't be I think.

mrk · 4 Jun 2008 at 21:46

oh! Well I bought burr brown opamps for the HDA Xplosion in the past so wondered if the same ones would work here? or does it have to be specific like above ?

gurusan · 4 Jun 2008 at 21:52

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?

lord filbuster · 4 Jun 2008 at 22:12

Just another quick question, did you use a fine tip on the soldering iron? Or do you think a bog standard tip will do? i think the tip i have is about 2-3mm thick.

MikeHunt79 · 4 Jun 2008 at 22:27

mrk said:
I'm guessing the modding won't help an XFI gamer

Time to get an EMU 0404 methinks!

This is what I would do, just bin the X-fi. It's hassle to mod it and even then your stuck with the poo that is creatives crash prone drivers.

Chuck in an E-mu 0404 and enjoy rock solid drivers and great sound quality with no soldering....

You could take your soldering iron to the E-mu if you really want to, as further gains are to be had (bypassing caps mainly).

helmutcheese · 4 Jun 2008 at 22:29

Very helpfull post :rolleyes:

http://www.overclock.net/sound-cards-computer-audio/185072-incredible-x-fi-mod-will-void.html

Above is the Mod they go as far as covering the card in treated Paper.

gurusan · 4 Jun 2008 at 22:30

lord filbuster said:
Just another quick question, did you use a fine tip on the soldering iron? Or do you think a bog standard tip will do? i think the tip i have is about 2-3mm thick.

I just used the one that came with my 4 quid ebay 30W soldering iron

MikeHunt79 · 4 Jun 2008 at 22:50

helmutcheese said:
Very helpfull post

Thank you, he really would be better off getting the E-mu 0404. Superior DAC's and ADC's, no resampling everything to 48k, the list goes on... :rolleyes:

gurusan · 4 Jun 2008 at 22:56

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.

MikeHunt79 · 4 Jun 2008 at 23:11

gurusan said:
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.

Hey, don't get me wrong, if your happy with it then stick with it. I'd take a modded card over a stock card anyday...

I'm just not an X-fi fan as I've had so many problems, but others have had more luck than me. Now I've got a 1212m I couldn't go back.

If you want to check op-amp compatibility, look up the datasheet of your replacement op-amp and compare it to the one on the soundcard. The legs should match. If it's 8pin and it physically fits then there's a 99% chance it will match anyway.

gt_junkie · 5 Jun 2008 at 00:09

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

MikeHunt79 · 5 Jun 2008 at 00:38

ignore - wrong thread

Strife212 · 5 Jun 2008 at 02:17

helmutcheese said:
He never did it to fix problems with the OS.

Its well known you can get far better sound by replacing a few parts on the X-FI's for far better quality parts.

Yeah I know that, that was more in response to the one about the X-Fi 2 having messed up drivers

-Ad- · 5 Jun 2008 at 08:38

gurusan said:
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.

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).