There have been almost no innovations in the PC audio world for the past few years, last time we checked Creative was adding more bells and whistles to the Audigy line, and VIA was successfully entering a competing chip in the PC market through card partners such as M-Audio and Philips.
It comes as no surprise that it's the same Creative that is bringing newer products to the table. Last May they announced the 51 million transistor-powered X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity Audio Processor, which will finally find its way into store shelves in the form of the X-Fi Elite Pro, X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS, X-Fi Platinum, X-Fi XtremeMusic, reportedly to become available this month.
For more information you can read the complete announcement, just let me tell you in advance these won't come cheap with the most complete package selling for $400 (Elite Pro), and the cheapest one set at $130 (XtremeMusic). Did anyone say OEM? In the meantime we will try to reach Creative to bring you a full review of the cards.