Folks - Obviously, I came away from reading the Anantech and Creative websites with a very different assessment than you. Certainly, Creative is using marketing hyperbole, but the term 'concurrent ring architecture' may ring of marketing bs to you, but given the descriptions of capabilities, it was quite ressonant to me. I actually worked peripherally with this technology years ago when I still had my Q clearance. Join the ACM and do a literature search.
Indeed, the 'spacializer' for MP3s is, IMO, piffle; but it will help sell sufficient units, that dwarfs the 'audiophile' market and have them laughing all the way to the bank. As will their gaming capabilities. But the technology behind the spacializer interests me very much.
As my interest is in massaging (ripped) stored files, I really don't care if the algorithms required are non causal. I'm more than willing to do without those capabilities for realtime play of internet radio.
I will state that their Elite Pro, as described is sufficient to replace a DEQ2496, DEC2496, Tactpre [EDIT.- I'll add to that list a Roland M-1000, for full digital volume control of 6-8 channels of output].. for real time use.
Which is all moot without the software implementation. But the capabilities are certainly there.
Will Creative (or their EMU subsidiary) address this ever so lucrative 'audiophile' market? Dunno. But I clearly stated in my post -
As to whether Creative will actually BE creative, remains to be seen. Or they may simply find that that specific market niche would not be profitable.
I'm done. I actually read all of the referenced URLs.
FWIW
