Output Configuration: 2 Channel (Analog), 5.1 Channel (Digital via S/PDIF).Audio DSP: XMOS xCORE-200, Native DSD Support (up to x256).Do you know about DSD (Direct Stream Digital)? DSD is the encoding format for Super Audio CD (SACD) and the EVGA NU Audio is said to be the only add-in card for the PC market capable of natively playing them at this price point. You also have support for a wide range of playback formats including DSD up to x256. The end result is an audio card that has a Dynamic Range (DNR) and Signal to Noise (SNR) of 123dB for stereo playback and 121dB for line-in recording. All that is topped off with a modern stylized metal shroud that features customizable RGB lighting. When it comes to OP-AMP selections a ADI OP275 was used for the headphones and an ADI AD8056 was used for the line out. The NU Audio also has German-made WIMA capacitors, AKM 4493 DAC and AKM 5572 ADC. The designers went with Nichicon solid-state capacitors and audio-grade resistors as well as a Texas Instruments TPS7A47/TPS7A33 power-regulation circuit. From there the heart of NU Audio would be the XMOS xCORE-200 DSP (USB controller) that is bridged to the PCI Express interface with an ASMedia ASM1042 host controller. How does EVGA justify the $249 price tag? AudioNote designed the NU Audio sound card to have a solid hardware foundation and started off by using a six-layer, gold-plated PCB. None of the top 10 best selling sound cards on Amazon are over $130 and this $249 card is expected to be the base model for EVGA. Therefore when we found out that the EVGA NU Audio card carries an MSRP of $249.99 ($199.99 for EVGA ELITE Members) we weren’t too shocked. Audio Note (UK) is a super high-end audio company that makes some of the most expensive audio equipment on the market today. ![]() Over the years the two have talked about teaming up to create a series of high-end sound cards for the PC market to provide the most immersive audio and lifelike gaming experience possible. So, why let two companies have all the fun? EVGA co-founder Andrew Han is a huge audiophile and a long time friend of Andy Grove who just happens to be the designer in chief over at Audio Note (UK). A quick look at the Amazon Best Sellers for internal PC sound cards show that these two companies are behind 8 of the 10 best selling models at the time of writing. For a number of years now gamers have turned to the Sound Blaster series from Creative Labs and Xonar series cards from ASUS for improved audio. ![]() The add-in sound card business is a new product segment for EVGA and one that isn’t flooded with a ton of options. EVGA has teamed up with the audiophiles over at Audio Note to create the EVGA NU Audio Card.
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