We're not sure wether it's good or bad how many driver updated Realtek releases for each and every cosmetic update. But there's a new one (again).

The latest download of Realtek's HD audio driver version available for Windows XP and Vista, it runs under Windows 7 too.

The HD audio driver version for Realtek chips is available for download on our server. This download offers both the Windows XP and Vista binaries, the files contain drivers for the 32 Bit and 64 Bit versions. All Realtek HD audio chips, which are common on many motherboards and in notebooks, are supported.

Driver Package R2.31 - Realtek HD Audio Driver support all of Realtek HD Audio Codec .

1. Vista/Windows 7 WHQL Supporting: ALC882, ALC883, ALC885, ALC888, ALC889, ALC861VD, ALC660, ALC662, ALC663, ALC665, ALC260, ALC262,ALC267, ALC268, ALC269, ALC272, ALC273, ALC887,ALC670, ALC275
2. Windows 2000/XP WHQL Supporting: ALC880, ALC882, ALC883, ALC885, ALC888, ALC889, ALC861VC, ALC861VD, ALC660, ALC662, ALC663, ALC665, ALC260, ALC262, ALC267,ALC268, ALC269, ALC272, ALC273, ALC887,ALC670, ALC275
3. HDMI Device WHQL Support: ATI HDMI Devices
4. OS Supporting: Microsoft WindowsXP, Widnows2000, Windows Server 2003, Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows7 - x86/x64
5. Pack with Microsoft High Definition Audio UAAV1.0a(5013)
6. Add/Fix
           1.) Driver :
               1. Customizations.
               2. Fix DTM KS position testing fail issue when turn on Microphone effect under Win7.
           2.) Package
               1. Reboot message in log file. ( WILL_REBOOT )
               2. Copy all of AP files to system.

Download: click here.

The latest download of Realtek's HD audio driver version available for Windows XP and Vista, it runs under Windows 7 too.

The HD audio driver version for Realtek chips is available for download on our server. This download offers both the Windows XP and Vista binaries, the files contain drivers for the 32 Bit and 64 Bit versions. All Realtek HD audio chips, which are common on many motherboards and in notebooks, are supported.

--------
History Driver Package R2.28:
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Realtek HD Audio Driver support all of Realtek HD Audio Codec .

1. Vista/Windows 7 WHQL Supporting: ALC882, ALC883, ALC885, ALC888, ALC889, ALC861VD, ALC660, ALC662, ALC663, ALC665, ALC260, ALC262,ALC267, ALC268, ALC269, ALC272, ALC273, ALC887,ALC670
2. Windows 2000/XP WHQL Supporting: ALC880, ALC882, ALC883, ALC885, ALC888, ALC889, ALC861VC, ALC861VD, ALC660, ALC662, ALC663, ALC665, ALC260, ALC262, ALC267,ALC268, ALC269, ALC272, ALC273, ALC887,ALC670
3. HDMI Device WHQL Support: ATI HDMI Devices
4. OS Supporting: Microsoft WindowsXP, Widnows2000, Windows Server 2003, Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows7 - x86/x64
5. Pack with Microsoft High Definition Audio UAAV1.0a(5013)
6. 6. Add/Fix
       1.) Driver Customizations.

Download Realtek HD Audio 2.28 Driver for Windows XP, Vista Windows 7, click here.

Auzentech announced the immediately availability of the Auzen X-Raider 7.1 and X-Studio 5.1 sound cards. These sound cards provide an affordable upgrade from the onboard audio built into desktop PCs, and are ideal for improving audio from games, music, and movies. The Auzen X-Raider 7.1 is a PCI sound card with swappable OPAMPs for all channels, SPDIF(Optical) In/Out, internal digital output via two-pin connector, support for HD front panel audio, Magic Voice, Microphone Echo, key-shifting, Xear3D, EAX 1.0/2.0, A3D and DirectSound.

The X-Studio 5.1 is a low profile PCI Sound Card with a swappable front-left and front-right channel OPAMP, internal digital output via a two-pin connector, support for QSound Labs 3D Surround Engine driver, and HD front panel audio. Both sound cards are compatible with Intel and AMD processors and Windows XP or Vista.

• Auzen X-Raider 7.1 Sound Card product page
• Auzen X-Studio 5.1 Sound Card product page

Auzentech announced its shipment dates for the X-Fi HomeTheater HD sound card. Reviewer shipments of the X-Fi HomeTheater HD will begin the second week of July. According to Auzentech the sound card will also go into full production at that time, enabling customer shipments to begin at the end of July.

"We are excited to officially announce shipment dates of the X-Fi HomeTheater HD sound card," said Stephane Bae, president of Auzentech, Inc. "We appreciate the patience of all our customers, distributors, and dealers who have waited anxiously for this sound card."

The release of the X-Fi HomeTheater HD sound card to reviewers and customers follows the completion of several rounds of testing by Auzentech staff to match the sound card to a full spectrum of home theater equipment. Auzentech reports that because the X-Fi HomeTheater HD is "a groundbreaking product in the home theater sound card space," its staff will actively support reviewers as they perform their tests.

The X-Fi HomeTheater HD is the result of cooperation between several companies that include Auzentech, Creative Labs, Cyberlink, and Silicon Image.

This download is a driver providing Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows XP support for Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi series of audio devices. For more details, read the rest of this web release note.

Beta version was out a while already, but this is the final version. Also the 1st official Windows 7 driver for X-Fi.

Download: click here

Auzentech started shipping their X-Fi Titanium I/O Drive from Creative Labs. This product is compatible with the Auzentech X-Fi Forte, Auzentech HomeTheater HD and the Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series.
According to the Auzentech Website, the X-Fi Titanium I/O Drive is "the ideal way to harness the power of connectivity for select Auzentech PCI Express X-Fi Sound Cards. With the ability to go straight to gaming mode with the push of a button, Headset Connectivity, volume controls and the ability to record your own music, the I/O drive expands your system with a wealth of options."

"We received many requests for the X-Fi Titanium I/O Drive after releasing the X-Fi Forte Sound Card earlier this year," said Auzentech President Stephane Bae. "It greatly expands the connectivity of compatible PCI Express

The company also recently decided to skip production of 45nm Havendale CPUs and will go directly to 32nm Clarkdale because 32nm development is going smoothly, the same sources revealed.

Intel will issue product discontinuance notice (PDN) for the Core i7 940 later in June, while EOL will be issued in the third quarter. Intel will also issue EOL for the Core 2 Extreme QX9775 in the third quarter.

The PDN for Intel's quad-core Core 2 Quad Q9400 and Q9400S will come in the fourth quarter, while EOL is scheduled for 2010. The Core 2 Quad Q8200 and Q8200S will see their PDN issued in 2010. Intel also plans to launch quad-core Core 2 Quad Q9505S CPUs specifically designed for all-in-one PCs.

Intel's Pentium E2220 and E2200 will see their EOL appear in the third and the fourth quarters this year, respectively, and will be replaced by the Pentium E6000 series.

The Celeron E1600 and E1500 are targeting to see PDN in the fourth quarter and E1400 in the third. The CPU series will be replaced by the Celeron E3000 series in the third quarter. Intel will issue PDN for Atom 330 and 220 in April 2010.

Intel has canceled mass production plans for 45nm Havendale CPUs originally scheduled for the end of the year and will directly announce the 32nm Clarkdale CPU in the first quarter of 2010 targeting entry-level to mainstream markets with prices set between US$60-190. [via digitimes].

If you have not read day 1 of the Computex article just yet, check out the new soundcard offering from MSI.

As you guys have read MSI recently announced their Syren series sound products. This is the SyrenSound Hardcore, which should be a really high-end soundcard priced at roughly 200 USD. The SyrenSound X-Fi sound card is powered by Creative Audio Processor CA0110, optimized for PCI Express to deliver accelerated audio while supporting X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity Audio technology.

We'll make very sure to get this reviewed once available.

The latest download of Realtek's HD audio driver version available for Windows XP and Vista, it runs under Windows 7 too.

The HD audio driver version for Realtek chips is available for download on our server. This download offers both the Windows XP and Vista binaries, the files contain drivers for the 32 Bit and 64 Bit versions. All Realtek HD audio chips, which are common on many motherboards and in notebooks, are supported.

Download

Microsoft announced the Zune HD today. The device is meant to compete with Apple

ASUS today launched the Xonar DS 7.1 channel audio card which is equipped with design features found only on high-end audio equipment, fully catering to audiophiles seeking to enjoy high fidelity audio on their PCs

Creative Labs has found a great new way to minimize the risk that a customer will actually benefit from a rebate offer. In Rick's case, they sent him the rebate in the form of a $10 debit card that was supposed to be good until July 2009, but when he went to a Best Buy to use it last month, it was denied. The reason? He'd been charged a $3 "maintenance fee" every month since January.

He writes, "Come on, why print on the card that it expires in July 2009 when it couldn't possibly last beyond April 2009? I guess I'm lucky, at least I haven't gotten a bill for ongoing card maintenance. Anyway, that's the last item I ever buy from Creative Labs, I hope the rebate tactic was worth losing a customer."

If you take advantage of a Creative Labs rebate, use it immediately. Or better yet, don't take the bait the next time Creative dangles a rebate offer in front of you. They're not kidding about it being a "Creative rebate." [via consumerist].

Click the image for a full-size version.

MSI is pishing forward with some new audio products as MSI has recently launched its new Syren series of audio products.

The Syren series seems to be gamer-oriented, with high quality, high fidelity and high comfort being MSI

Intel decided to further complicate (ehm, did I just say that out loud) theit rating system with little stars.

Intel  also made new company logos for the various brands of processors official, which first surfaced in February. The new system involves segregating processors based on the performance indices they offer, measured by "stars", five stars being the top-tier of processors offering the ultimate technologies and performance, down to one stars with value and reliability. The grading system is best described by the company.

Each processor is assigned between one and five stars depending on a combination of features, including cores, GHz, cache, and other technologies. More stars indicate greater features and increased capabilities compared to other Intel processors.

The list of processors segregated by the new rating system can be found here.

This download is a driver providing Microsoft

The latest download of Realtek's HD audio driver version available for Windows XP and Vista -it supposedly runs under Windows 7 too.

The HD audio driver version for Realtek chips is available for download on our server. This download offers both the Windows XP and Vista binaries, the files contain drivers for the 32 Bit and 64 Bit versions. All Realtek HD audio chips, which are common on many motherboards and in notebooks, are supported.

The sound specialist still offers the Beta version 0.1 of the 3D Sound Back Utility which preserves or reactivates 3D sound effects such as Surround, reverb and stereoscopic effects of older games under Windows Vista. Since it is a beta version, the use is used at one's own risk only. You should backup your important files before using the software.

Here is an extract from the change log . Unfortunately improvements of performance are rare for new audio drivers. An uninstall problem in Windows 7 has now been fixed.

Realtek HD Audio Driver support all of Realtek HD Audio Codec in Vista/WinXP/Win2000/Win2003.

History:
--------
Driver Package R2.19
    Realtek HD Audio Driver support all of Realtek HD Audio Codec in Vista/WinXP/Win2000/Win2003 .

1. Vista WHQL Supporting: ALC882, ALC883, ALC885, ALC888, ALC889, ALC861VD, ALC660, ALC662, ALC663, ALC665, ALC260, ALC262,ALC267, ALC268, ALC269, ALC272, ALC273, ALC887
2. Windows 2000/XP WHQL Supporting: ALC880, ALC882, ALC883, ALC885, ALC888, ALC889, ALC861VC, ALC861VD, ALC660, ALC662, ALC663, ALC665, ALC260, ALC262, ALC267,ALC268, ALC269, ALC272, ALC273, ALC887
3. HDMI Device WHQL Support: ATI HDMI Devices
4. OS Supporting: Microsoft WindowsXP, Widnows2000, Vista, Windows7 x86/x64
5. Pack with Microsoft High Definition Audio UAAV1.0a(5013)
6. Add/Fix
   1.) Driver Customizations.
   Package :
           1. Fix upgraded warning dialog for Small VGA mode .
           2. Add failed run installation by count .

Download: Click here.

You read it right, ST .. not to confuse with STX.

The PC audio market has been churning out some great new high fidelity soundcards lately. A good example here is the recent release of the new Essence STX headphone card, which stirred up the audio community and caught the attention of people who usually look for external headphone amplifiers. Some of you may know there were rumors of ASUS expanding the Essence Line-up with possibly a PCI model.

Guru3D has the prototype the engineering sample of the Essence ST in our audio lab today, and will bring you a sneak preview on it to show you what ASUS is working on inside that chocolate factory of theirs.

Check out this Guru3D sneak preview right here.

Numark has announced that its high-end DJ controller, the NS7, will ship worldwide beginning March 24th. The system was designed in collaboration with software-developer Serato Audio Research to works with the ITCH software interface. NS7 features two seven-inch motorized platter controls, each built from aluminum and offering adjustable torque settings. Genuine vinyl records with 45RPM adapters are placed on the slipmats.

A DJ mixer is located between the decks, offering replaceable, digtal VCA crossfaders and line faders along with a variety of rubberized knobs, switches and buttons. Over 100 LEDs and 100 individual controls are available, providing full interaction capabilities with ITCH, while an integrated notebook stand can be used to mount the computer and hold it above the table.

Each deck offers a Serato-style loop section for creating manual and automatic loops, along with an automatic BPM analyzer. Controls include doubling, halving and shift, among others.

The controller integrates a 24-bit digital audio interface with mic and line inputs along with headphone and system outputs. The company claims that the single USB cable carries data between the computer and controller at twice the standard MIDI rate.

The Serato NS 7 carries a retail price of $1600 and an estimated street price of $1300.

The recent addition of the ASUS HDAV 1.3 and Essence STX soundcards have targeted two new markets for the ever moving Xonar sound machine landing impressive contributions to the high end HTPC audio and high end stereo/headphone markets.

This review will encompass the new Xonar Essence STX and we will examine what this card has to offer new users who are interested in this product. This new card has been highlighted as the pinnacle of the Xonar soundcards at least as far as 2.0 and headphone audio are concerned.

Read, probably the most extensive soundcard review you have ever seen. Click here to read this Guru3D article.

Auzentech is pleased to announce the immediate availability of the DTS Connect Driver for the new X-Fi Forte 7.1 sound card. The Driver is compatible with Windows Vista

The new driver must be a fresh install on a 32-bit or 64-bit edition of Windows Vista. In addition to providing DTS Connect, the new driver contains recent bug fixes to provide Multi-Channel Digital and Analog sounds, improved speed when changing modes, and enhance stability.

For details and downloads, please visit the driver download page.

• Download with DTS (for Windows Vista):
  http://www.auzentech.com/site/download/updates.php#xfifortevista
• Product Page:
  http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-fi_forte.php

In other news, Steven is working the Forte review as we speak, so we should have some good content on these products real soon.