在經作者同意後, 我大略翻譯一下, 與各位分享.
Chiantech AV710
簡要的歷史
一直以來, 電腦音樂似乎被注定是糟糕透了。Creative的幾乎是唯一
低廉的選擇。小廠像是 Turtle Beach和 Hercules, 但是這些產品的
遊戲支持有待加強。
後來, M-AUDIO REVOLUTION出現在市場上。太棒了, 終於我們能
現在有低價的支援24/192 的產品 。 和 Creative 的產品比較起
來, 也許 M-Audio 沒有強大的遊戲支持, 但是對預算不多的
audiophile 來說, 這簡直是美夢成真。
然後 Chaintech AV-710 上市了。使用跟 Revo 一樣的Envy24HT
晶片, 支援24/192 , 7.1 聲道, 所有的一切只要非常低廉的價格。
Revo 使用Asahi Kasei AK4381 DAC, 但是AV-710 使用
Wolfson WM8728 。(注意這些兩個只適用於2 聲道狀態。環繞使
用比較差的晶片.)
比較兩者, AK4381 有108dB SNR, 而WM8728是106dB SNR。
我想這點差異很難在使用中發現兩個之間的區別. 不過一些比較挑剔
的人仍然覺得有差別。
他們是兩個都擁有 24/192的解碼能力芯片。不管怎麼看, 這個產
品都是夢想的成真。(按, 原本筆誤, 經網友天地指出後修改)
終於, 再也沒人能忽略低價並且高品質個人電腦音樂
Specifications
Envy24HT-S Controller
Wolfson WM8728 24/192 DAC for 2-channel mode
Via VT1616 18/VSR (Variable Sample Rate) DAC for
Surround
7.1 Capable
Mic In/Line In/Surround Outs/Optical Out
Bundled with optical cable, drivers, WinDVD, and WinRip
OS 兼容性
OS 兼容性這是一個大問題, 並且我認為大部分的評論者都只專注於
Window的支援. 這張卡可以在Linux中使用。這裡有一些相當長的好
資訊包括所有跟 Linux有關的話題。
至於Macintosh 用戶, 抱歉, 您要自己幫您自己。Googling 沒有出現
任何東西。
音質
這才是重頭戲。
在我開始之前, 我要您知道這我個人的意見, IMO, YMMV 。
使用的設備是AV-710 (duh) 與JP3/4 jumpered 到1-2 (之後詳
述), 用高品質的後輸出, 通過一般地1/8"小頭, 接用AD832的CMoy
耳擴, 使用12v AC, 到HD 280 耳機. HD280 耳機使用了 800 小
時, 改了 “Blue tack Mod”.
低音
跟CMoy 一起用, 這個組合可以搖開您的頭。我知道HD 280 的低音
並不是很有名, 但是我可以跟任何人說, 20Hz 是完全沒有問題的。改
了 “Blue tack Mod”後, 低音跟中低音非常地棒。在德國EBM 團
Eisbrecher 有一些相當多的 Bass, 在這個搭配中展現無遺。
中音
Dream Theater 是一個很有名的 progressive rock/metal 團。他
們的音樂真是太棒了。James LaBrie 有相當富吸引力和強勁的人
聲。它是美妙地被確切地重現了, 沒有 clipping、尖銳, 或討厭的嘶嘶
聲。
高音
這是我唯一對這音效卡的抱怨; 在某些CD 中, 尤其是那些新的(2000
年後發行的), 偶爾鐃鈸, 吉他獨奏, 和一些歌手會有點尖銳。它經常不
發生, 但是它是那裡。因為只有新的 CD 會這樣, 所以我想這是現代
hyper-compression 技術的問題。Other than that, though, it
rocks. Marshall stack sound comes through loud and clear,
bells ring loud and clear, applause is sharp and crisp
我試聽的結果發現這張卡適合各種音樂。我試過了幾乎一切; Dream
Theater, Eisbrecher, Elton John, Metallica, Michael W. Smith
(his _Freedom_ symphony album) Pink Floyd, Radiohead,
Tool... 和更多更多。它雍容地處理所有的音樂風格。It can be
slow and soothing one second and suddenly jump into an
all out barrage on your senses. I was in awe just tonight
while listening to Dream Theater's track 'Disappear' off their
CD, Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence. I could hear individual
guitar strings being plucked as he strummed chords. The
vocals were crisp and well defined. It was one of those
moments where you just stop whatever you're doing and
sit back and marvel.
As with all things, there are things that can be tweaked.
The very first thing you should do is make sure you've
installed VIA's drivers, not Chaintech's, on the CD with the
card.
The 1.43d drivers seem to be the best as of now (May
2004), but be on the lookout for better ones. After you've
convinced Windows that you want these installed (not an
easy task sometimes), go into the Envy Audio Deck, click
on the Digital Out tab, and make sure the Enable Digital
Output box is checked. Then go down and check Enable
High Sample Rate box.
I mentioned changing jumpers around earlier; this is a good
start for actual mods. Look on the very upper left hand of
the card, to the right of the screw, where you'll
see 'JP3/JP3', and settings. Notice one says Line-Out, and
the other Speaker-Out. Now, we don't want things getting
amplified twice, do we? So, find JP3/4. Go over to the right
about an inch, to the jumper bank labelled Front Audio.
Now go down, and you'll see a chip marked U14.
Directly below this are the jumpers in question. Move both
of them over one notch, so they short pins one and two.
Congratulations, you just modded the card! Doesn't that
feel good? Now, these results have not been verified, but I
thought there was increased bass, for one, and an overall
tightening of the sound with this tweak. YMMV.
Also, you're going to want to get ASIO support enabled on
this card double-quick. Kernel Streaming is another option,
but I like having a known standard. So, how to accomplish
this? ASIO4All. Download the .zip (~80K), drop the .dll into
your %systemroot% folder, open your favorite audio
application, and choose ASIO as the output method. (you'll
have to have an ASIO plugin installed for your audio player
of choice already) Also of note, it's important to make sure
Wuschel's ASIO4All is the method selected. Then, open up
the ASIO4All control panel (should be a shortcut on the
desktop and in Start Menu) and start playing. You'll first
want to try the Direct DMA Buffer I/O method, but if that
fails, disable it, and start playing with buffer sizes. Also of
note, reduce the buffer size in your audio player to 0, and
let ASIO4All deal with that. The buffer size needed is likely
going to vary widely depending on your system
configuration. I'm running 1024/2, but that's just because I
got tired of occasional pops while launching an application. I
can have it down to around 500 if all I'm doing is listening
to music or browsing the internet, but launching anything
causes pops and crackles. For output options, you're going
to want to disable any resamplers you have running, as this
is going to output a bit-perfect 44.1KHz stream that
completely bypasses KMixer. Rejoice! Output bitdepth is up
to you, but might as well bring it up to 24 bit. Padding to
32 bit seems to work best with ASIO4All.
結語
聽過M-AUDIO REVOLUTION和Chaintech AV-710 的人都認為分
別相當的小, 大部份人都不會注意到這些差別。以價格來說, 您無法忽
略這張卡片。如果您還在猶豫關於個人電腦訊源, 試試看這張卡。
接上一台優良的耳擴, 輕鬆地一張一張地聽你喜歡的 CD。
然後, 當然, 您將升級到 EMU或RME, 然後接下來你就會開始動改良
的念頭了... 高度推薦。
http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=75454
Chaintech AV-710 Review
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In response to Tuberoller's demand, er, plea for reviews, and plus the fact that the AV-710 is becoming quite popular, yet no reviews, I decided to write one. I'm quite pleased with mine, anyway. I blame all errors on the fact that I'm simultaneously studying the OSI Layers while writing this. With that said, let the fun begin...
Brief History
For the longest time, computer audio seemed to be doomed. Creative was pretty much the only available card without spending hundreds. Turtle Beach and Hercules were players, but small ones, and they didn't have the greatest game support. Then, along came the M-Audio Revolution. Great, people thought, now we can have 24/192 support for under $100. Sure, it didn't have the greatest game support compared to Creative's offerings, but for the audiophile on a budget, this was as as close to heaven as you could get. And then, the Chaintech AV-710 came out. Envy24HT based chip, the same as the Revo, 24/192 support, 7.1 card, and all for $25. The Revo uses a Asahi-Kasei AK4381 DAC, whereas the AV-710 uses a Wolfson WM8728. (Note these both only apply to 2-channel mode. The surrounds use lesser DACs) The AK4381 has a 108dB SNR, opposed to the WM8728's 106dB SNR. I highly doubt you'll notice any difference between these two, but still, for the anal amongst us, (GUILTY!) the difference is there. They are both 24/192 capable chips, however. In any case, this card was an answer to prayer. Finally, high quality PC audio was available to the masses, and with a price tag like that, no one could ignore it.
Specifications
Envy24HT-S Controller
Wolfson WM8728 24/192 DAC for 2-channel mode
Via VT1616 18/VSR (Variable Sample Rate) DAC for Surround
7.1 Capable
Mic In/Line In/Surround Outs/Optical Out
Bundled with optical cable, drivers, WinDVD, and WinRip
OS Compatibility
This is a big issue for many people here, and I think many times reviewers forget that not everyone uses Windows exclusively. No offense, of course, but hey, we are here:P That being said, this card can be used in Linux, from what I've read, using ALSA. This page has some good info on anything related to audio and Linux, but is quite long. Should answer any questions you have, though. Macintosh users, sorry, you're on your own. Googling didn't turn up anything.
Sound Quality
Ah, the one you've all been waiting for. Before I begin, I want you to know that is is all strictly subjective, IMO, YMMV. Equipment used was the AV-710 (duh) with JP3/4 jumpered to 1-2 (more on that later), running through the Rear Out with Hi-Rez mode enabled, through a fairly crappy/normal 1/8" mini-mini to an AD832AN-powered CMoy running off of 12v AC, to HD 280 Pros, well burned in (~800 hours as of May 2004), with the Blue Tack Mod applied. 280 bashers may now shut up
Bass
Combined with the CMoy amp, this thing will shake your head apart. I realize the 280s aren't known for their qualities, but I doubt anyone will argue that they go LOW. 20Hz is no problem for these. After Blue Tack, they'll pump out low and mid bass as pretty as you please. The German EBM band Eisbrecher has some pretty serious bass on their tracks, and it's reproduced beautifully.
Midrange
Dream Theater is a well-known progressive rock/metal band, and for good reason. Their music flat out rocks. James LaBrie has rather interesting and powerful vocals, with tons of midrange. It's reproduced beautifully clear here, with no signs of clipping, harshness, or sibilance.
Treble
This is my (and others) only beef with the card; with certain CDs, notably newer ones (2000s mostly), there is harshness occasionally on cymbals, guitar solos, and some vocalists. It doesn't happen often, but it is there. The fact that it happens mostly with newer CDs leads me to believe it's mostly due to the hyper-compression applied to modern
CDs. Other than that, though, it rocks. Marshall stack sound comes through loud and clear, bells ring loud and clear, applause is sharp and crisp.
Overall
The sound is tight, fast, and ready for any musical genre. I've thrown everything under the sun at this; Dream Theater, Eisbrecher, Elton John, Metallica, Michael W. Smith (his
_Freedom_ symphony album) Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Tool... the list goes on. It handles them all with grace and adapts to the musical style. It can be slow and soothing one second and
suddenly jump into an all out barrage on your senses. I was in awe just tonight while listening to Dream Theater's track 'Disappear' off their CD, Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence. I could hear individual guitar strings being plucked as he strummed chords.
The vocals were crisp and well defined. It was one of those moments where you just stop whatever you're doing and sit back and marvel.
Tweaks
As with all things, there are things that can be tweaked. The very first thing you should do is make sure you've installed VIA's drivers, not Chaintech's, on the CD with the card.
The 1.43d drivers seem to be the best as of now (May 2004), but be on the lookout for better ones. After you've convinced Windows that you want these installed (not an easy task sometimes), go into the Envy Audio Deck, click on the Digital Out tab, and make sure the Enable Digital Output box is checked. Then go down and check Enable High Sample Rate box.
I mentioned
changing jumpers around earlier; this is a good start for actual mods. Look on the very upper left hand of the card, to the right of the screw, where you'll see 'JP3/JP3', and settings. Notice one says Line-Out, and the other Speaker-Out. Now, we don't want things getting amplified twice, do we? So, find JP3/4. Go over to the right about an inch, to the jumper bank labelled Front Audio. Now go down, and you'll see a chip marked U14.
Directly below this are the jumpers in question. Move both of them over one notch, so they short pins one and two. Congratulations, you just modded the card! Doesn't that feel good? Now, these results have not been verified, but I thought there was increased bass, for one, and an overall tightening of the sound with this tweak. YMMV.
Also, you're going to want to get ASIO support enabled on this card double-quick. Kernel Streaming is another option, but I like having a known standard. So, how to accomplish this? ASIO4All. Download the .zip (~80K), drop the .dll into your %systemroot% folder, open your favorite audio application, and choose ASIO as the output method. (you'll have to have an ASIO plugin installed for your audio player of choice already) Also of note, it's important to make sure Wuschel's ASIO4All is the method selected. Then, open up the ASIO4All control panel (should be a shortcut on the desktop and in Start Menu) and start playing. You'll first want to try the Direct DMA Buffer I/O method, but if that fails, disable it, and start playing with buffer sizes. Also of note, reduce the buffer size in your audio player to 0, and let ASIO4All deal with that. The buffer size needed is likely going to vary widely depending on your system configuration. I'm running 1024/2, but that's just because I got tired of occasional pops while launching an application. I can have it down to around 500 if all I'm doing is listening to music or browsing the internet, but launching anything causes pops and crackles. For output options, you're going to want to disable any resamplers you have running, as this is going to output a bit-perfect 44.1KHz stream that completely bypasses KMixer. Rejoice! Output bitdepth is up to you, but might as well bring it up to 24 bit. Padding to 32 bit seems to work best with ASIO4All.
Finally, there have been a
few
threads about more in-depth modding. Everything from replacing op-amps and capacitors to cutting traces. I'm considering switching out some caps at some point, but you're completely on your own with this. Good luck.
Conclusion
People who've heard both the M-Audio Revolution and the Chaintech AV-710 say the differences, if any, are so slight that most people aren't going to notice them. For $25 as opposed to the Revo's $100 price tag, you can't ignore this card. If you're hesitant about PC audio, pick up this card. Hook up a nice amp, sit back, and go through a few of your favorite CDs. Then, of course, you'll upgrade to an Emu or RME, and then you'll mod
it...
Highly recommended.
(-:Stephonovich:-)
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