Creative introduces the Sound Blaster X5: Well-equipped DAC with dual design

Creative Technology introduces a new amplifier sound card that should meet the needs of many audiophiles. The Sound Blaster X5 is compact, has many connection options and “groundbreaking” audio technologies as well as high-quality materials.

Sound Blaster X5 is a compact all-rounder

This device has not just one, but two Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs, which enable high-resolution and lossless playback in 32-bit and 384 kHz with a volume of up to 130 dB.

A few modes are also on board. The Sound Blaster X5 can decode audio formats in DoP128 and DSD256 for high-fidelity audio streaming and uses an oversampling multi-bit modulator to minimize audio distortion.

Amplification is provided by Xamp headphone bi-amplification technology, also found in Creative’s Sound Blaster AE and Sound BlasterX G6. Here the design of the component has been slightly modified, resulting in a fully balanced headphone output. In addition, the DAC also supports ASIO 2.2, so you can play and record audio perfectly even with low latency – even with multiple audio inputs and outputs.

Audio signatures can also be customized with the Sound Blaster X5, and with the Creative App you can use an equalizer that adds effects such as Surround, Crystalizer, Bass, CrystalVoice or Dialog+. There is also a gaming mode that highlights important sounds in the match.

Sound Blaster X5 is a complete audio hub that you can connect to a variety of devices. Including PC systems, game consoles, DVD players and more. The device features USB ports, a 3.5mm microphone input, 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone jacks, as well as two-way RCA and optical TOSLINK connectors, a Bluetooth 5.0 receiver and a dedicated USB -A connector for external devices and wireless audio transmitters.

The Soundblaster X5 offers a number of buttons and switches for quick and easy operation.

The external sound amplifier costs at Creative 309.99 euros.