CONCLUSION

   We tested the NU Audio Card by EVGA for a period of 12 days during which we put it up against an old Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD sound card (there was a time when that card was my favourite actually) and the onboard Creative Sound BlasterX 720 solution (127dB SNR AMP-UP Audio with High-End ESS SABRE 9018K2M DAC, LME 49720 and OPA1622 OP-AMP, WIMA audio capacitor) of the GIGABYTE X299 AORUS GAMING 9. Now as expected the somewhat old X-Fi Titanium HD card couldn’t keep up with the NU Audio card (still not half bad for a 10 year old model) but what really surprised us was that even the relatively new Sound BlasterX 720 also couldn't hold its own against it (probably because it isn't really based on a Creative audio chip to begin with). Positioning audio proved to be very good in several titles we used the card with (RAGE 2, Devil May Cry 5, Battlefield 1 and STAR WARS Battlefront II among others) but what really impressed us was audio clarity not just in games when you can even hear bullets passing by and instantly know where they came from but also music and movies. This may sound a bit weird to some of you but while using the NU Audio Card I noticed detail on some audio tracks I never had in the past (one good example is that while listening to the Highlander theme by Michael Kamen I heard instruments on the background which went unnoticed in the past – and that was just a track on a “normal” CD). I can’t say that the same exact thing happened while watching movies (voice clarity and bass levels however are quite impressive especially when you play around with the settings in the software) but it’s quite clear to me that Audio Note UK focused a lot on audio detail (isn’t that what matters in the end?) and even though it would be nice if the NU Audio Card was also aimed towards people with analog surround sound setups (not that many that i know however) there’s nothing to complain about. On a second thought volume levels could be slightly better especially since this card does use a SATA power connector but we can’t have it all (perhaps Audio Note UK can somehow improve on that with a future firmware update).

   The moment you look at a product manufactured in part by one of the top manufacturers of ultra-performance valve based home audio systems you know it’s going to carry a hefty price tag and so currently the EVGA NU Audio Card retails for USD199.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com – as supplies last) and for 217Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk). So yes, this isn’t an audio card targeted at regular consumers but rather audiophiles and serious gamers looking for something better than what’s out there without of course having to climb all the way up to far more expensive professional choices (which may also not offer something more to them). The only question is whether or not Audio Note UK and EVGA will continue with their cooperation by introducing more audio card models in the market, we certainly hope so since we enjoyed using the NU Audio Card so much that we’re happy to give it our Golden Award.

PROS

- Superior Build Quality
- Premium Audio Components
- Impressive Audio Clarity / Detail
- Very Good 3D Positioning Audio
- Future Proof / Customizable (OP-AMP Rolling)
- 10 Mode RGB LED
- Nahimic Enhancements
- 3 Year Limited Warranty

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- No Analog Surround Output (For Some)