Review on Creative Sound Blaster X4 Hi-Res 24bit/192kHz USB DAC and Amp Sound Card - Super X-Fi, Multi-Channel, 7.1 Surround, Optical I/O, Line/Mic/Headset Ports - PC/Mac Compatible by Kenny Kowalewski

This device will only work properly when playback is set to 24bit 192000Hz. If anything else is set, there will be distortion due to Windows system sounds. I've tried very hard to work with Creatives support, but they don't reply to emails for days, and when they do, it's rarely anything significant. the truth is that none of this is active and you can only use email. Someone who works at Creative named Michael put me in for 3 weeks with almost no communication almost like he was waiting for the Revain return window so I'm forced to send it to them for warranty work but I'm not falling Tricks in on creatives. I am using 10700k with Asus z490 Strix-E motherboard. When I plug the headphones directly into the motherboard I don't experience any complaints (with multiple headphones) but as soon as I use the Soundblaster X4 the problems return. If I set the playback to 24bit 192000 I have no problems, but if I leave the default setting of 24bit 48000Hz the problems come back. This happens regardless of whether I have installed the supplied software or not. Sometimes the things you buy don't work, and I understand that, but what I hate most about this experience is the lack of support from Creative Labs. They don't endorse their product. Avoid this device and avoid this company.