Creative Sound Blaster AE-9 Sound Card and DAC Drive System
Flagship PCIe sound card and DAC with ESS SABRE-class…Available on backorder
Frequently bought together
DescriptionThe Creative Sound Blaster AE-9 (part number 70SB178000000) is Creative's flagship PCIe sound card…
The Creative Sound Blaster AE-9 (part number 70SB178000000) is Creative's flagship PCIe sound card and DAC, built around an audiophile-grade ESS SABRE-class 9038 DAC and the fully discrete Xamp headphone bi-amplifier. It pairs the internal PCIe card with a desktop Audio Control Module that houses the headphone amplification, mic inputs and a large multifunction control knob. It is aimed at audiophiles, gamers and content creators who want pristine hi-res playback, immersive surround and clean microphone input from a single internal card.
What are the key features?
- ESS SABRE-class 9038 DAC: Delivers 129 dB dynamic range with 32-bit / 384 kHz PCM and DSD64 playback, plus very low total harmonic distortion of 0.0001%.
- Xamp discrete headphone bi-amp: Amplifies each channel individually with a 1Ω output impedance, driving everything from sensitive in-ear monitors to audiophile headphones up to 600Ω.
- CleanLine Technology: Specially designed circuitry filters and isolates noise along the microphone path, keeping voice communications clear even under heavy GPU load.
- Audio Control Module: A desktop unit with a large multifunction knob, LED volume display and support for dynamic and phantom-powered condenser microphones.
- Surround and processing: Discrete 5.1 surround and up to 7.1 virtual surround, with Sound Blaster Surround, Crystallizer, Bass and CrystalVoice enhancements, plus Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect encoding.
- Scout Mode: Enhances in-game audio cues such as footsteps and weapon switching so you can pinpoint opponents more easily.
Technical specifications
- Brand: Creative
- Model / Part Number: Sound Blaster AE-9 / 70SB178000000
- Audio Technology: Sound Core3D
- DAC: ESS SABRE-class 9038, 129 dB dynamic range (stereo), THD+N 0.0001% (stereo)
- ADC: 123 dB dynamic range (stereo), THD+N 0.0004% (stereo)
- Playback Resolution (Direct Mode, Stereo): PCM 16/24/32-bit at 44.1, 48.0, 88.2, 96.0, 192.0 and 384 kHz; DSD64 (2.8 MHz)
- Headphone Amp: 1Ω output impedance; supports 16–600Ω headphones (IEM 16–31Ω at 1.5V RMS, Normal 32–149Ω at 3V RMS, High Gain 150–600Ω at 5.3V RMS)
- Connectivity (Main Card): 1 x TOSLINK Optical In, 1 x TOSLINK Optical Out, 1 x ⅛″ Rear Out, 1 x ⅛″ Center/Sub Out, 1 x ACM Link, 1 x 6-pin PCI Express power header, 2 x RCA (L/R) Front Out
- Connectivity (Audio Control Module): 2 x RCA (L/R) Line In, 1 x ⅛″ Mic-in (mono), 1 x ⅛″ headphone out (3-pole), 1 x ¼″ headphone out (3-pole)
- Platform: PCIe; requires an available PCIe slot and a 6-pin PCI Express power connector for the Audio Control Module
- Supported Operating Systems: Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
- Dimensions: Main card 178 x 22 x 127 mm; Audio Control Module 150 x 128 x 65 mm
- Weight: Main card 230 g; Audio Control Module 480 g
Questions & answers
Can the Sound Blaster AE-9 drive high-impedance audiophile headphones?
Yes. The Xamp discrete headphone bi-amplifier has a 1Ω output impedance and supports headphones from 16Ω up to 600Ω, with a dedicated High Gain mode for 150–600Ω models. It also handles sensitive in-ear monitors in the 16–31Ω range.
Does the AE-9 need extra power beyond the PCIe slot?
Yes. The main card draws power from the PCIe bus, but the Audio Control Module requires a 6-pin PCI Express power connector from the PC power supply. Creative recommends an 80Plus Bronze certified PSU with at least 500W output and 2 x 6-pin PCI Express power connectors.
What comes in the box with the Sound Blaster AE-9?
The package includes the Sound Blaster AE-9 main card, the Audio Control Module, a quick start leaflet, warranty leaflets, a 3.5mm male to 2-male RCA cable, a 3.5mm female to 2-male RCA cable and an optical TOSLINK cable.
Delivery and returnsArrives Tue 17 Nov
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