I see different variants of X-Fi sound cards - XtremeAudio, XtremeGamer, XtremeMusic, Platinum, Fatal1ty and Elite Pro. As far as I know the first 4 have the same DACs, and the Elite Pro has different (and better) ones. Is that true?
Also: do the the DACs on each X-Fi card operate the same way or are they "tuned" differently depending on the model? A friend of mine and I had an argument. He claims that XtremeMusic's DACs (for example) are better tuned for music than those of XtremeGamer for instance, since the first one is supposed to be a card for listening to music, whereas the second one is a gamer card. He claims the DACs on each sound card process the sound differently (even if the same DACs are used) since each card is intended for different purpose. My theory is that all DACs process the sound the same way on all cards and the actual difference between the cards is the absence/presence of X-Ram, remote control, front panel and other accessories and therefore all cards should sound the same, provided their DACs are the same.

Can anyone give a little on the subject?

As far as I know, your theory is correct. The tests (both technical and listening ones) in the hardware review sites suggest that. If there's really a difference with the DACs it doesn't show in actual listening, or it's a really subtle one.

(Hope I don't get a TOS#8 warning for this...)

Well I don't know about TOS, but you did spread misinformation.

To the OP, the XtremeAudio is completely software (CPU) based (doesn't have an actual X-Fi chip) so don't even consider that to be a X-Fi card (more like a rebadged Audigy SE). The Elite Pro is the only X-Fi card to have high quality components (DAC's, Opamps, etc). All other X-Fi cards have the same components and only differ in packaging (breakout boxes, 64mb ram, etc). So basically grab a XtremeGamer or XtremeMusic depending on which you can get cheaper (or if sound quality is imperative get the Elite Pro).

So, just to be sure: DACs can't be made/forced to process sound differently by any software, they process it always the same way?

Also, what DACs are used by the Elite Pro, what are used by the other X-Fi models and how do they compare to Audiotrak Prodigy's and/or M-Audio Revolution's DACs?

Oops! True, my mistake there, sorry. I totally overlook the XtremeAudio, which as you say it's nothing comparable to the rest of the X-Fi family.

Anyone has info on the questions in my previous post?

X-Fi Elite Pro - CS4398.
X-Fi the rest - CS4832.

Thank you, but this still doesn't answer the actual questions.

Edit: I'll try to rephrase my question: can the X-Fi driver change the way the DACs process sound (depending on the selected mode)?

Just interested: Where did you get this info from?
At leat the creative hp says nothing about that.

This is true, even the X-fi extreme music has the CS4832. And the DAC is different in the Elite Pro. And right it doesn't list that on the creative site. Here is just one article that goes into details about this.

Keep in mind the X-fi extreme music is different from the X-fi Extreme Audio card. As mentioned earlier the X-fi Extreme audio really isn't an true X-fi card.

Thanks for the info.
I don't understand why the manufacturer doesn't put that (and other info) on his hp...

It's Cirrus Logic CS4382, not CS4832. Probably a typo
That's the one in Audigy 2 ZS.

Hold it, don't mix the facts. It's the other way around, the XiFi XtremeMusic is a true XiFi card, i should know because I own one. The XiFi Xtreme Audio is a rebranded Audigy, a marketing trick probably to sell remaining stocks of the Audigy chips.

Yeah..I typed it in wrong. Edited..thanks.

Unless I'm severely mistaken, no.

Furthermore, getting an Elite Pro because of the better DACs is waste of money UNLESS you also do gaming with it and don't want two soundcards (one "audiophile" card and a gaming one). Soundcards with DACs equal or better than the Elite Pro are available from other manufacturers at a much, much cheaper price.

Because they are Creative Labs and have a history of being extremely economical with the truth about the specification of their cards and shipping lines of cards under the same name with wildly different specifications.

*Bing* next please.