Aureal Vortex. When was it released? \ VOGONS

Aureal Vortex. When was it released?

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First post, by Munx

Posted on 2017-05-12, 08:46

Munx Offline

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I've been doing some searches and I cant seem to find the launch date for Aureals Vortex sound cards.

Some chips have 1997 dates and I keep reading mentions that it was announced in 1997, however no release dates.

So, my question is, does anyone have any info on the release date? Was it 1997 or 1998? Did companies like Turtle Beach, Diamond, etc. get supplied with these chips at the same time as Aureal were making their own cards?

My builds!
The FireStarter 2.0 - The wooden K5
The Underdog - The budget K6
The Voodoo powerhouse - The power-hungry K7
The troll PC - The Socket 423 Pentium 4

Reply 1 of 3, by firage

Posted on 2017-05-12, 09:04

firage Offline

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There's this July 14, 1997 announcement for the chip: https://archive.is/19971014130227/http://www. … 497-vortex.html

They had no oversight on first generation cards like later with Vortex2. I've seen it anecdotally mentioned that they had a problem of cheapo Chinese productions based on the chip.

There's a long list of products here: http://members.optusnet.com.au/kirben/soundcards.html

Using the Aureal Vortex 1 (8820) chipset […]
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Using the Aureal Vortex 1 (8820) chipset

Aureal Vortex1 PCI
Aztech PCI 338-A3D
DCS S805
Diamond Sonic Impact S90
Digitan Systems DSAC-600
Gallant Audio Storm A3D
Genius Sound Maker 64
GVC Winner Sound
Hi-Val PCI 338 A3D
Innowave Aureal Vortex PCI sound card
Intresource TeraSound A3D PCI
I/OMagic MagicWave A3D PCI
Mediatek Sound Image Symphonic PCI-1
Multiwave AudioWave PCI DigitalSound
Orchid NuSound3D
Pine Technology PT2628 Schubert 64 A3D-1
Procomp S320
Samtek Rock'n 98
Shark Predator 3D PCI
Skywell Magic Sound
TerraTec XLerate PCI
Turtle Beach Montego A3DXstream
(Digital & Optical I/O daughterboard)
Xitel Storm VX

My big-red-switch 486

Reply 2 of 3, by Munx

Posted on 2017-05-13, 10:45

Munx Offline

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Thank you for the card list.
I've went through it and found an investor discussion around Aztech cards and how Aureal was using a foundry in Taiwan, starting sometime November-December 1997. Considering how long it can take to get a good amount of chips to manufacturers and then get the cards onto store shelves I assume they only became available to consumers early 1998.

My builds!
The FireStarter 2.0 - The wooden K5
The Underdog - The budget K6
The Voodoo powerhouse - The power-hungry K7
The troll PC - The Socket 423 Pentium 4

Reply 3 of 3, by firage

Posted on 2017-05-13, 13:49

firage Offline

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Joined: 2013-01-06, 21:43
Location: Finland

The earliest mentions I've seen of A3D are about the first Diamond Monster Sound cards, which came out in '97. They used a different DSP instead of the real steel Vortex, though.

My big-red-switch 486

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