The connectivity options for the Creative Audigy NX are impressive for such a small piece of kit. Flipping the unit around to its back reveals an optical out – ideal for inexpensive yet high fidelity connectivity to a minidisk player or receiver. Digital SPDIF is also provided for those who want the absolute best possible quality Digital audio; most audio journalists agree that Digital S/PDIF provides a clearer sound than optical, provided the best cables are used.
PC speakers are of course fully catered for, with a centre/sub channel, plus front and rear connectors. To reveal the outputs for the side channel, used in 7.1 systems, you need to turn the NX through 90 degrees. This port also doubles as a headphone input for those with just 6 channels. I would have preferred to see all audio ports adjacent to one another, with a separate headphone port, but if this meant the card would have to be bigger, then it is indeed a worthy sacrifice. Also on the side panel is a Mic in and Line in for making recordings. There is also an optical input but no digital S/PDIF input, not that I personally would need both.
On the top of the soundcard, you can see that both mic and master volume levels can be controlled via potentiometers. This is useful for controlling levels, especially if your speakers do not have some kind of volume control, or as with many speakers, is in an inconvenient place. LEDs on top of the unit illuminate when the remote control is being used, or when the card is outputting in Dolby Digital mode. You also have power, mute and CMSS buttons. CMSS is Creative's methodology of creating a realistic multi-channel listening experience from just a stereo source. With CMSS off, an MP3 or CD will only use the front channel, where as with it enabled, audio will be outputed from all channels.
