Razer Barracuda AC-1 Gaming Sound Card

by Razer

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000IBV8SE
• Item model number: RZ05-00130100-R2M1
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 2, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer

The Razer Barracuda AC-1 Gaming Audio Card delivers optimized audio signals directly from the computer game to the gamer, creating the most realistic gaming environment. It features proprietary Razer audio technologies including the patent pending Razer Enhanced Sonic Perception architecture to allow gamers to pinpoint the exact location of enemies more accurately than before.

Expanded In-Game Dynamic Soundstage for Explosive Gameplay The Razer Enhanced Sonic Perception enhances the sonic level of your 3D audio, so that you can have increased audible range in-game.

Onboard Dolby Pro-Logic technology for Surround Sound The Razer Barracuda AC-1 comes with built-in Dolby Pro-Logic IIx technology. Using advanced processing algorithms, it converts a stereo or 5.1-channel source into 7.1-channel audio.

Surround Sound with Only Two Speakers The Dolby Virtual Speaker Solution employed within enables complete immersion in virtual surround sound fields delivered via stereo speakers.

Technical Specifications

• Razer Fidelity gaming audio engine
• S/PDIF receiver/transmitter
• Dolby Prologic IIx surround processor
• Dolby Digital Live 5.1 hardware encoder
• Dolby Headphone technology
• Dolby Virtual Speaker
• DTS NeoPC
• DTS Interactive real-time hardware encoder
• 7.1-channel digital audio playback
• Supports EAX 2.0, Aureal3D 1.0 and DirectSound

Audio Characteristics

• Signal-to-noise ratio (output): 117dB
• Frequency response (at 24-bit / 96KHz): 20 to approx. 20,000 Hz
• Dynamic range: 116dB
• Total harmonic distortion + noise: -97dB
• Simultaneous voices: plus or minus 128

Hardware Characteristics

• Razer High Definition-Dedicated Audio Interface (HD-DAI connector)
• S/PDIF in/out Toslink connectors
• CD-in
• Aux-in

System Requirements

• Pentium II 350MHz, AMD K6 450 MHz or Higher
• One Available PCI 2.1/2.2 Slot
• 128 RAM Memory or Higher
• At least 55MB of Hard Disk Space
• Graphic Display at 800 x 600 High Color (16 bit)
• CD ROM Drive
• Headphones or Amplified Speakers
• Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/MCE

Product Description

MODEL- RZ05-0013 VENDOR- RAZER USA FEATURES- Razer Barracuda AC-1 Gaming Audio Card The Razer Barracuda AC-1 Gaming Audio Card features a 7.1 channel output 24-bit audio technology and unprecedented 117dB SNR (output). The 117bB Signal to Noise Ratio (output) specification clearly outperforms all current soundcards in the market that only perform up to an average of 105dB. The Razer Barracuda AC-1 Gaming Audio Card is the world's first gaming audio card that performs up to a 117dB SNR. Gaming-specific positional audio Powered by Razer Fidelity allows gamers to take advantage of an expanded dynamic soundstage for gaming tuned frequencies with Razer ESP (Enhanced Sonic Perception). The in-built audio chip processes and optimizes audio signals from games to provide the ultimate positional gaming audio experience through the Razer 3D (720 degrees) Positional Gaming Audio Engine. The Passive EMI shield minimizes electromagnetic interference (EMI) by preventing unwanted interference from graphics cards and other electrical devices that may affect the gaming audio performance. The Razer Barracuda AC-1 Gaming Audio Card also features optimized proprietary software drivers to provide for the prioritization of enhanced gaming audio signals while leaving as small a memory footprint as possible. Razer HD-DAI (High Definition-Dedicated Audio Interface) further optimizes the Razer Barracuda IAS gaming audio experience by allowing for a proprietary connection for optimized signal transmission when used with the Razer Barracuda HP-1 Gaming Headphones.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not happy with the AC-1 Sound Card, May 4, 2008

By 

Jonathan Q. Manning (Plainview, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Razer Barracuda AC-1 Gaming Sound Card (Personal Computers)

I bought this sound card with the Razer gaming headphones. When everything is working the sound is phenomenal. Unfortunately, I am mostly stuck with only the center channel working when I use the headphones, and when I use speakers I often have random channels cutting in and out for no reason.

This really could be a killer sound card, but Razer needs to work out the bugs first.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Razer - what's up with this card - ever heard of driver updates?, March 21, 2008

By 

Untouchable (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Razer Barracuda AC-1 Gaming Sound Card (Personal Computers)

I own a Razer mouse, keyboard, headphones, a mouse pad and finally this audio card. I guess I just love the underdog, or maybe it is their cool product names. But unlike the headphones this card is not top notch. The card itself is fine and the potential for awesome 7.1 sound is there, but the software and drivers have given me nothing but grief. It won't save personal settings as it should, individual speakers settings can mysteriously lock on full high, even when the volume is turned down. The list goes on and on.

Of course I have called and e-mailed Razer and spoke to most of their tech' staff, and I have done the various driver/hardware un-re-installs. But still this card won't function properly in any of my computers. Bad unit? No, I rma'd it and the new unit is the same, a simple case of bad software.

So frankly, this particular Razer product just doesn't cut it. I guess it is back to Creative audio for me.

It is a shame really, because for gaming, the headphones are perhaps the best 7.1 surround sound 'phones that have ever graced my head. I just wish Razer would get of it's lazy butt and update the driver to solve some of these problems. It takes more than pretty lights and a cool logo to keep customers like me loyal. We want good products, reasonable service and killer performance. So if I were you, I would head to Creative, 'cause in this case the "big dawgs" win.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Audio Card Review, July 5, 2007

By 

Steven R. Jackson (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Razer Barracuda AC-1 Gaming Sound Card (Personal Computers)

This is a great audio card that will work with any speaker system and head set using the adapter, which is supplied. When used with the Razer headset, it provides complete surround sound when gaming or listening to music. The card has optical out, which many people will not be able to use. I have a high end Logitech digital speaker system and therefore am able to use this feature. The control panel for the card, which is loaded into your PC via a CD, is easy to use and it does work well with the headset and speaker system. I highly recommend this card, especially for those who are considering purchasing the Razer headset. A great gaming experience!