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Sound Blaster AE-X
Hi-res PCIe DAC with Discrete Headphone Amp
Features
SOUND BLASTER AE-X
Sound Blaster AE-X
Hi-res PCIe DAC with Discrete Headphone Amp
The Sound Blaster AE-X delivers a clear step up from onboard audio for serious builds.
Reference-Grade Fidelity
Hi-Res Playback
Power for Demanding Headphones
Advanced Playback and ASIO Support
Desktop-ready Connectivity
Parametric EQ and customisation via app
TECH SPECS 
REVIEWS High-Fidelity Audio
Powered by the ESS ES9039Q2M DAC, it delivers exceptional clarity with a 130 dB dynamic range. Enjoy pristine 32-bit/384 kHz playback that uncovers deeper layers of detail, bringing music, movies, and games vividly to life as intended.
Powerful Performance
Its built-in high-performance headphone amplifier delivers up to 350 mW @ 32Ω; far surpassing standard onboard audio to effortlessly drive studio-grade headphones. With DSD256 and ASIO 2.3 support, it ensures a clean, low-latency, bit-perfect audio path for truly immersive listening.
Immersive Surround Sound
Experience sound that surrounds you with 7.1 virtual surround, delivering a wider, more immersive soundstage for movies, games, and music.
Precision Sound Personalization
Fine-tune your sound precisely with the new Parametric EQ and Acoustic Engine, tailored to your exact preferences.
Use AutoEq to match the frequency response of supported headphones for accurate, balanced listening. Easily save, import, and share profiles to personalize audio across scenarios.
Desktop-ready Connectivity
Designed for seamless integration, the Sound Blaster AE-X offers coaxial output and optical input for flexible connections across your desktop audio ecosystem.
Easily connect headphones, microphones, external DACs, speakers, TVs, and gaming consoles with a full range of analog and digital I/O for maximum versatility.
| Connection Type | Input | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Optical (TOSLINK) | ✓ | ✕ |
| Coaxial S/PDIF | ✕ | ✓ |
| RCA Analog Line-Out | ✕ | ✓ |
| Headphone Out (3.5 mm) | ✕ | ✓ |
| Mic / Line-In (3.5 mm) | ✓ | ✕ |
A Closer Look
Specifications
-
Driver
- WHQL for Windows Driver, Support ASIO 2.3, WASAPI, USB Audio Driver / Protocol (UPD)
-
Weight
- 263g / 9.28 oz
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Dimensions
- 179 x 126 x 18 mm
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Direct Mode
- Line Out (Stereo): PCM 16-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0, 352.8, 384 kHz
Line Out (Stereo): PCM 24-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0, 352.8, 384 kHz
Line Out (Stereo): PCM 32-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0, 352.8, 384 kHz
Coaxial SPDIF Out: PCM 16-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0 kHz
Coaxial SPDIF Out: PCM 24-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0 kHz
-
DSD Playback
- Headphone/Line Out (Stereo): Native DSD: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256
Front panel Headphone-out: Native DSD: DSD64, DSD128
-
Playback Resolution
- PCM 16-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0, 352.8, 384 kHz, PCM 24-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0, 352.8, 384 kHz, PCM 32-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0, 352.8, 384 kHz
-
Recording Resolution
- TOSLINK SPDIF-in: Stereo, 16-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0 kHz
TOSLINK SPDIF-in: Stereo, 24-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0 kHz
Front panel Mic-in: Dual-mono, 16-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0 kHz
Front panel Mic-in: Dual-mono, 24-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0 kHz
Line-in (Stereo): Stereo, 16-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0 kHz
Line-in (Stereo): Stereo, 24-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0 kHz
Mic-in: Dual-mono, 16-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0 kHz
Mic-in: Dual-mono, 24-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0 kHz
-
Front panel Headphone out (Stereo)
- PCM 16-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0 kHz, PCM 24-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0 kHz, PCM 32-bit, 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 176.4, 192.0 kHz
-
Platform
- PCI-e
-
Connectivity Options (Main)
- 1 x HD Audio Front Panel Connector, 1 x ⅛“ Headphone port, 1 x RCA Line-out (Left) port, 1 x RCA Line-out (Right) port, 1 x Coaxial SPDIF-out port, 1 x ⅛“ Mic in/Line-in port, 1 x TOSLINK SPDIF-in port
-
Headphone Amp
- Output Impedance: 1Ω, Supported Headphone Impedance: 8–600Ω, IEM: 0.5Vrms, Low: 1.5Vrms, Mid: 3Vrms, High: 6Vrms, Maximum output power: 350mW @ 32Ω (High), Maximum output voltage: 6Vrms (High)
-
Front Panel Headphone Amp
- Output Impedance: 10Ω, Supported Headphone Impedance: 32–300Ω, Maximum output power: 40mW @ 32Ω, Maximum output voltage: 1.9Vrms
-
Supported Operating Systems
- Windows® 10, Windows® 11
-
Included Accessories
- 1 x 3.5 mm CTIA TRRS to Dual TRS Headset Splitter Cable
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Digital Filter
- 8 pre-programmed filters
-
DAC
- THD+N: 0.0001%, Dynamic Range: 130 dB
-
ASIO
- ASIO 2.3
-
ADC
- THD+N: 0.0006%, Dynamic Range: 114 dB
System Requirements
- Intel® Core™ i3 or AMD® equivalent x86 processor
- x86 compatible motherboard
- Microsoft® Windows 10 64-bit / Windows 11 64-bit
- 8GB RAM
- Available PCIe slot
- Internet connection for Software Download
Package Contents
- 1 x Sound Blaster AE-X sound card
- 1 x 3.5 mm CTIA TRRS to Dual TRS Headset Splitter Cable
- 1 x Quick start guide & Compliance information & Warranty leaflet
Warranty
1-year Limited Hardware Warranty
