Auzentech, Inc. was aKoreancomputer hardware manufacturer that specialized in high-definition audio equipment and in particular PCsound cards.
Auzentech has its origins in March 2005, when under the company nameHDA (HiTeC Digital Audio),[2] the company launched the X-Mystique 7.1, the first consumer add-in sound card to featureDolby Digital Live.Initially only a manufacturer, HDA's products were commercialized worldwide by a network of local distributors, includingBlueGears as their vendor in theUnited States.[3][4][5]
In 2006 the company took distribution into their own hands, ceasing relations with BlueGears, and subsequently changing their brand name toAuzen (a name which originates from "Audio" and "Zen")[4] and their company name toAuzentech.[6]
Since that time the company continued to incorporate new sound cards into their lineup in an effort to compete in a market dominated byCreative Labs.[7] Auzentech sought to provide customers with features not present in Creative's sound cards at that time, such as real time multi-channel audio encoding and built-inTOSLINK connections.[8] These features enable users to have multichannel realtime audio (like that originating in PC games) over a single digital line, instead of the previously unavoidable three analog lines running from the PC to the speakers. Also present in all Auzentech sound cards are user-replaceableopamps,[9] which offer the possibility to further improve the out-of-the-box quality ofanalog outputs.
Eventually expansion led Auzentech to broaden their range of products to include items such asspeakers,microphones andPC cases among others.
Auzentech has recently switched from theC-Media audio processors used in their earlier cards to theX-Fi audioDSP, licensed from their competitor, Creative Labs.
Since early 2014, Auzentech's official web site has been directing to a park page, and their technical support department ceased to provide any service.
X-Mystique 7.1 Gold Based on the CMI 8768+ chipset. Launched in June 2005. First PC consumer add-in sound card to featureDolby Digital Live.[10]
X-Plosion 7.1 DTS Connect Based on the CMI 8770 chipset. First PC consumer sound card to featureDTS Connect certification.[11] In June 2009, the card was re-released, with its name changed toX-Plosion 7.1 Cinema (discontinued).[12]
X-Meridian 7.1 Based on the CMI 8788 chipset. Launched in February 2006, it was the first card launched with the Auzentech brand.
X-Meridian 7.1 2G Based on the CMI 8788 chipset. Launched in December 2010
X-Raider 7.1 Based on the CMI 8768 chipset. Launched in July 2009, the X-Raider is a 24-bit, 96 kHz PCI 2.2 compliant card, supportingbus mastering modes.
X-Fi Prelude 7.1 Launched in August 2007, the Prelude was the first time theX-Fi chip was used in a product not manufactured byCreative Labs.[13]
X-Fi Forte With all previous Auzentech sound cards beingPCI cards, launched in January 2009, the Forte was Auzentech's first low-profile nativePCI Express 1.1 sound card.[14]DTS Interactive support was added through a later driver upgrade.
X-Fi Home Theater HD Released in August 2009, it was the firstHDMI 1.3a compliant sound card and the firstDolby TrueHD compatible sound card.[15] PCI Express 1.1 interface. Seeking to provide the best possible performance, Auzentech and Creative Labs collaborated to modify the X-Fi processor to optimize it for operating over the PCI Express bus.[16] The Home Theater HD was conceived to work with future video card offerings fromNVIDIA, providing what NVIDIA and Auzentech call the "ultimate in audio and visual entertainment".[16]
X-Fi Bravura Launched in January 2010, the X-Fi Bravura is a PCI Express x1 card. X-Fi Bravura has 5x user replaceable OPAMPs.
X-Studio 5.1 Launched in July 2009, alongside the X-Raider, the X-Studio is based on the VIA High Quality ICE 1723 audio processor. The card is capable of outputting 24-bit, 96 kHz audio and is presented as a PCI 2.2 card.
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