
The Creative Sound Blaster AE-X internal sound card is used for internal sound processing and enhancement in desktop computers. The card connects to a PCI-E slot and replaces the integrated sound chips on the motherboard. This hardware provides more precise detail separation and a cleaner sound when listening to music, watching films or playing games. Installation requires a free PCIe slot, Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11 64-bit operating system, at least 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core i3 processor or an equivalent AMD x86 processor.
At the heart of the device is the ESS ES9039Q2M DAC, which operates with a dynamic range of 130dB. The total harmonic distortion and noise is THD + N 0.0001%. This component provides high fidelity and precise rendering of audio tracks. This gives users a detailed listening experience without unwanted background noise.
The card includes a discrete headphone amplifier with an output impedance of 1Ω. It supports headphones with an impedance range of 8–600Ω, accommodating a wide range of models from sensitive IEMs to over-ear studio systems. The output power is 350mW at a 32Ω load with a voltage of 6Vrms. Four gain levels are available for optimal matching with the connected device.
The HD Audio front panel connector ensures an easily accessible connection. The integrated front panel amplifier has an output impedance of 10Ω and supports headphones with an impedance of 32–300Ω. The output power is 40mW at 32Ω and the voltage is 1.9Vrms. The output supports native playback of DSD64 and DSD128 formats.
The device supports stereo playback at resolutions of up to 32-bit/384kHz, processing highly detailed audio material. Native support for DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256 formats allows for a more direct listening experience without additional processing. The card uses professional ASIO 2.3 and WASAPI drivers, reducing latency when working with audio.
The rear panel offers a versatile interface for integration into a desktop audio setup. Two RCA ports provide left and right line-out, two 3.5mm jack connectors, one coaxial SPDIF output and one optical TOSLINK SPDIF input. Users can easily connect their computer to active speakers or an external amplifier.
For detailed parameter adjustment, the Creative Nexus desktop application is used, which requires an internet connection to download. This software offers a 10-band parametric equaliser for adjusting the frequency response and an AutoEq function. There are also 8 pre-programmed digital filters for fine-tuning the sound character. This allows users to configure the audio output according to their specific requirements and connected audio devices.
Package contents:
Sound card, cable, manual
Interface:
PCI-E
DAC (converter):
ESS ES9039Q2M, dynamic range 130dB, THD + N 0.0001%
Audio resolution:
PCM 32-bit / 384kHz, native DSD64, DSD128, DSD256
Headphone amplifier (main):
Output impedance 1Ω, supported headphone impedance 8–600Ω, maximum output power 350mW @ 32Ω, maximum output voltage 6Vrms
Connectors (outputs):
2× RCA, 2× 3.5mm Jack, 1× coaxial SPDIF, 1× optical TOSLINK SPDIF
Software:
Creative Nexus for audio customisation and configuration
Minimum system requirements:
Intel Core i3 or equivalent AMD x86 processor, 8GB RAM, free PCIe slot, Microsoft Windows 10 64-bit / Windows 11 64-bit
Sampling rate:
384KHz
Action Europe SRL, 251 Avenue Louise, Boîte 5, 1050 Brussels, Belgium, +32 2 502 17 17, [email protected]
This product is not an independently functional unit and may require professional installation.
Specifications can be changed without notice. Images are for illustrative purposes only.