Creative X-FI Xtreme for notebooks - any good?

[Lumo]

Does anyone have any experience or comments on the Creative X-FI Xtreme (ExpressCard version)?

I want a new soundcard for my laptop to replace the internal one. It will be used for connecting to my Cambridge Audio A5 amp and listening on headphones.

[Sooby]

I've taken receipt of one this week. I'm pleased so far but as my laptop is over three years old, I am noticing some performance differences because I think the X-FI is using the pcmcia slot. When compared with having a dedicated psu on an external soundcard, I think the dynamic range seems slightly softer than Creative's former model the Audigy 2 NX which had the separate psu, and gave a more richer sounding depth. I tend to avoid the DSP software which takes up a lot of HD space and distorts the sound, and just pass through to my amplifier. Of course, it might get better if I replace my laptop, and I think it has been designed with newer models in mind, but that's not happening soon.

You might be interested in this:

For Sale: Creative Audigy 2 NX 5.1/7.1 DD/DTS/THX External USB Soundcard