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Black PCIe sound card with separate desktop audio control module

Creative Labs

Creative Labs Sound Blaster AE-7 70SB180000000 sound card

SKU CH-6A3S-0K452 MPN 70SB180000000

PCIe sound card with ESS SABRE-class 9018 DAC, 127dB SNR, 32-bit/384kHz playback, discrete 5.1 and virtual 7.1 surround, plus a quad-core processor for hardware-accelerated audio

  • Part70SB180000000
  • Audio ChipsetSound Core3D
  • Channels5.1 surround channels, and up to 7.1 virtual surround channe
  • Sample Rate384 KHz
  • Digital Audio32-bit
  • SNR127dB
  • Pristine audio fidelity with 127dB SNR and ESS SABRE-class 9018 DAC for 32-bit 384 KHz playback
  • Custom Xamp discrete bi-amp drives studio headphones up to 600 ohms with 10 ohm output impedance
  • Discrete 5.1 surround with Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect encoding for theatrical sound
  • Virtual 7.1 surround on headphones and speakers via Sound Blaster virtualization technology
  • Dedicated quad-core Sound Core3D processor offloads audio from CPU for hardware-accelerated performance

What the card is and who it targets

The Creative Labs Sound Blaster AE-7 is a PCI Express x1 internal sound card built around the Sound Core3D quad-core processor and an ESS SABRE-class 9018 DAC. It delivers 127 dB SNR, 32-bit/384 kHz playback and DSD64 support for listeners who want higher fidelity than integrated audio.

Who it suits and who should look elsewhere

Desktop PC owners running Windows 7 through 10 with a free PCIe x1 slot and at least 1 GB RAM can use the card for discrete 5.1 speaker output, virtual 7.1 surround and Xamp bi-amp headphone driving up to 600 ohms. Buyers needing external digital I/O, macOS or Linux driver support, or a USB-connected solution cannot use this model.

The spec that decides fit

The card requires an available PCI Express x1 slot inside the computer case. If your motherboard lacks a free x1 lane or you are building in a laptop or small-form-factor system without that slot, the AE-7 cannot be installed.

Highlights

  • Pristine audio fidelity with 127dB SNR and ESS SABRE-class 9018 DAC for 32-bit 384 KHz playback
  • Custom Xamp discrete bi-amp drives studio headphones up to 600 ohms with 10 ohm output impedance
  • Discrete 5.1 surround with Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect encoding for theatrical sound
  • Virtual 7.1 surround on headphones and speakers via Sound Blaster virtualization technology
  • Dedicated quad-core Sound Core3D processor offloads audio from CPU for hardware-accelerated performance

Specifications

BrandCreative
SeriesSound Blaster
ModelAE-7
Part70SB180000000
Audio ChipsetSound Core3D
Channels5.1 surround channels, and up to 7.1 virtual surround channels
Sample Rate384 KHz
Digital Audio32-bit
SNR127dB
EncodeDTS Connect Encoding
Line Out1 x 1/8" HP Out (3-pole)
1 x 1/4" HP Out (3-pole)
MIC In1 x 1/8" Mic-in (Mono)
1 x 1/4" Mic-in (Mono)
InterfacePCI Express x1
Remote ControlYes
Operating Systems SupportedMicrosoft Windows 10 32 / 64 bit, Windows 8.1/8.0 32 / 64 bit, Windows 7 32 / 64 bit
System RequirementsIntel Core i3 AMD equivalent processor
Intel, AMD or 100% compatible motherboard
1 GB RAM
> 600 MB of free hard disk space
Available PCIe slot
FeaturesHardware Accelerated Audio
The addition of AE-7 to your PC rig basically means one thing - you're adding in a dedicated quad-core processor designed with one goal in mind - to deliver incredibly pristine and enhanced sound on your PC without overstressing your CPU. Sound Blaster handles audio processing on the card itself, freeing up your CPU to handle other tasks.
Clean and Crisp Audio Clarity
Enhanced audio is only going to sound as good as the components delivering it, and with the AE-7, we're not pulling any punches. The AE-7 features an ESS SABRE-class 9018 DAC that delivers an
DimensionsMain Card: 5.71" x 0.79" x 5.04"
Audio Control Module (ACM): 3.94" x 3.62" x 2.76"
WeightMain Card: 0.48 lb.
Audio Control Unit (ACM): 0.63 lb.
Package ContentsSound Blaster AE-7 (Main Card)
Audio Control Module
Quick Start Leaflet
Warranty Leaflets
Shipping weight0.74 kg
Package size302 × 155 × 79 mm

Other versions of this model

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Questions about this item

Will the AE-7 work in my older motherboard that only has PCI Express x1 slots?

Yes, the card uses a PCI Express x1 interface so it fits any available x1 slot on Intel or AMD boards that meet the Core i3 or equivalent requirement.

How can I verify the 127dB signal-to-noise ratio is active after installing the AE-7?

Open the Sound Blaster Command software, confirm the ESS SABRE-class 9018 DAC is selected, and run the built-in audio test; the dashboard will display the 127dB SNR figure when the hardware is operating correctly.

Does the box include both the 1/8" and 1/4" headphone cables or do I need to buy an adapter separately?

The package contains the main card, the Audio Control Module with both 1/8" and 1/4" headphone outputs built in, a quick-start leaflet and warranty leaflets — no extra adapters are required.

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