The Sound Blaster Zx leverages Sound Core3D processing with external DACs that deliver 120dB SNR.

ENGADGET: Creative reveals Sound Blaster ZxR, Zx, and Z PCI-Express sound cards, pumps up the volume

The Audience codec subsystem consists of analog to digital converters (ADCs) on the record path and digital to analog converters (DACs) on the playback path.

ENGADGET: Audience eS515 Smart Sound Processor brings three-mic support and selective audio capture to phones

Look at the prevalence of Wolfson's audio chips today, in everything from audiophile DACs to smartphones like the Exynos-powered Galaxy S III and Galaxy S 4, and it's hard not to be impressed.

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Studio-grade components, which include external digital-to-analog converters (DACs) that deliver 127dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), sockets for swappable Op-Amps, a high-end 80mW into 600 ohm headphone amplifier, and 192kHz pass through, are used to deliver phenomenal audio quality.

ENGADGET: Creative reveals Sound Blaster ZxR, Zx, and Z PCI-Express sound cards, pumps up the volume