ALSA, the Advanced Linux Sound Architecture, now has an experimental Creative X-Fi driver. Takashi Iwai, a developer at Novell/SuSE, has ported the open-source X-Fi driver (named sbxfi) found in the Open Sound System (OSS) over to ALSA.
[Phoronix] ALSA Driver For The Creative X-Fi Appears](http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Njc3NQ)
Since the OSS driver for X-Fi was not very good, it stands to reason the alsa driver will also not be very good (since it is just a port).
BUT it does provide alsa a basis of something to work from and maybe with help/input from users, it can be improved.
Must try this some time… if only I had a test system for this… don’t have the hard drive space for a test install of Opensuse… darn… Anyone having any luck with this driver?
I have to swap 3 cables every time I switch between windows and suse. I use motherboard sound in suse and x-fi in windows. I have a 5.1 surround sound system. However, the front left jack is not working. Once I get a new set of speakers, I can test it. I have some tech skills.
I have my new working speakers. I’ll help with testing the offical releases. This cable swaping is a pain. I’m getting a low hiss in windows and a loud hiss in suse if I’m plugged into the sound card. I’v heard of ground loop isolators. “5.1 surround sound” needs three cables, only ones two with exist.