Creative Sound Blaster X5 Hi-res 32bit/384kHz External USB DAC with Fully Balanced Xamp Headphone Bi-amp, Bluetooth Receiver, RCA in/-Out, TOSLINK Optical in/-Out, Mic-in, Headset-in for Audiophiles
Product description
Pure, pristine, and unadulterated audio exists with Sound Blaster X5
Hi-res External Dual DAC USB Sound Card with Fully Balanced Xamp Headphone Bi-amplifier for Audiophiles
Pro-audio lovers: The Sound Blaster X5 is made for you.
Top-notch components. Industry-leading technologies. Exceptionally high-resolution audio.
In a gist, the external USB sound card fires up to 32-bit / 384 kHz PCM playback at 130 dB DNR, and features dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs, our custom-designed, fully balanced Xamp headphone bi-amplifier, and customizable DSP EQ functions.
On the connectivity front, it comes with a USB-A Host port with USB audio that works with USB microphones and headsets, and even wireless Bluetooth receivers for wire-free audio. This is amongst a plethora of connectivity options such as TOSLINK optical and RCA connectors, so you can connect the Sound Blaster X5 to various platforms, including PC, Mac, PS5 and PS4 and even your sound systems, AV receivers, set-top boxes, and Blu-ray players.
If you are an audio enthusiast or have a discerning pair of ears, the Sound Blaster X5 is one of the best desktop audio accessories you’ll ever need in your get-up.
Zero compromises in quality
Sound Blaster X5: in numbers
Featuring not one, but two Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs on the Sound Blaster X5, be ready for exceptionally high-resolution lossless playback in 32-bit / 384 kHz over PCM with ultra-high dynamic range of up to 130 dB DNR. These DACs are also capable of decoding audio formats in DoP128 and DSD256 to deliver high-fidelity audio streaming and acoustic details you cannot miss.
To enhance the Sound Blaster X5 for smoother operability, the dual DAC microcontroller unit (MCU) design also serves to minimize inter-dependency between major components, reducing the risk of a single point of failure. This allows for improved efficiency with quicker response time between user interaction and device control, and boosts overall product performance.
Plus, with an oversampled multi-bit modulator utilizing mismatch shaping technology for incredibly low Total Harmonic Distortion rating of ~0.00018%, audio distortion is almost non-existent with the Sound Blaster X5.
It also supports ASIO 2.2 playback and recording over USB and S/PDIF, so you can easily access multiple audio inputs and outputs at ultra-low latency, and enjoy audio in its purest form.
The perfect headphones sidekick
Xamp discrete headphone bi-amp
Our custom-designed technology that drives each earcup individually via 3 stages of amplification circuits and works in tandem with the dual DAC ensemble to amplify the audio signals of the left and right earcups independently.
This arrangement eliminates noise caused by in-circuit interference and keeps crosstalk to a minimum.
Fully balanced headphones output
The fully balanced audio can then be delivered through a 4.4 mm gold-plated headphones output connector for an accurate reproduction of the original audio content in its purest and authentic form. It works with studio-grade headphones of up to 600Ω, including the most demanding high-end, open-back planar-magnetic headphones, as well as sensitive IEMs, with its ultra-low 1Ω headphone output impedance.
Supports immersive virtual surround
It also supports virtual surround on your headphones, deploying HRTF (head-related transfer function) algorithms onto multi-channel audio streams for immersive, theater-like audio envelopment with realistic spatial audio positioning, to whichever content you choose indulge in.
Go wireless, and more
The USB DAC sports a Bluetooth receiver that supports AAC audio codec and a USB-A host audio port; connect to a wireless audio transmitter and stream audio wirelessly to your Bluetooth headset. This USB-A host audio port also works with external USB speakers, microphones, and headsets.
Connectivity
Connectivity-A whole lot of options
Choose from a plethora of two-way RCA and TOSLINK Optical connectors, a gold-plated 3.5 mm Microphone-in port with an easy-to-access mic gain knob, as well as a convenient USB-C audio port that also powers the Sound Blaster X5 via a single cable for fuss-free audio enjoyment. For versatility, the Sound Blaster X5 also features a ubiquitous gold-plated 3.5 mm headphones port for easy connectivity to your commonplace headphones.
- Wireless Bluetooth 5.0: Stream audio wireless from your PC, Mac, or mobile devices; supports AAC and SBC audio codecs
- USB-A Host Audio Port: Connect to external USB speakers, headsets, microphones, or even a wireless audio transmitter such as Creative BT-W4 or Creative BT-W3
- 3.5 mm Mic-in: Connect an external microphone for communications or audio recording
- 4.4 mm 5-pole Balanced Headphone Jack: Connect to a pair of 4.4 mm balanced headphones and enjoy clean, unadulterated audio reproduction
- 3.5 mm 4-pole Headphones Jack: Connect to a pair of versatile 3.5 mm headphones or headset to enjoy fuss-free audio
- RCA (Line-in and Line-out) and TOSLINK Optical Connectors: Plug in your sound systems, AV receivers, Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, and even TV
- USB-C: Power up the Sound Blaster X5 and stream audio directly with the same USB-C connection to Windows PC, Mac, PS5 and PS4
Controls
The controls are really easy to access
The Sound Blaster X5 features an entire getup of front-mounted buttons and switches that are easy-to-access and intuitive for everyone.
You are also in full control to take your audio further. Make adjustment to the 10-band EQ frequency graph, select from a list of Acoustic Engine’s pre-tuned audio profiles, or switch them off completely for clean, pure, unadulterated sound. Our Creative app offers you full customizability over what you wish to hear, or not