[brent_s]

MS's new approach with Vista is the "mixer" controls master volume for each application. In other words, if you double click or right click the volume control icon and choose "mixer", you'll see a slider for each application currently running...not very helpful for REQW.

However, you can still access the individual devices exposed by the soundcard's drivers. Right clicking the volume control will let you choose "playback" or "record" devices...also accessible under control panel->sound. The Vista drivers for the SB Live External show the "line-in/mic-in" as one device even though they're two physcially separate jacks on the box.

The problem appears to be with either the max level allowed on the line-out or line-in on the SB Live...could either be caused by the Vista drivers or Vista itself. With the "raw" Vista devices for speaker out and line/mic-in at 100%, I'm getting a difference of 12db in the I/O level meters in REQW. The highest input level I can hit is -18db. Nearly identical to what Cruzmisl is showing in his screen captures.

Just for fun, I tried the loopback with the SB Live's mic jack. I get nearly a perfect I/O level match in REQW with both SB jacks at 100%. The calibration file shows a little earlier and more severe rolloff than the line input jack...for instance, the mic jack is -2.07 @ 10hz, the line in jack is -0.73.

Cruzmisl, if I were you, I'd save the $80. I think in essence, the Xfi has the same issues as the Live-External, you just see a better I/O level match due to some internal difference. You can get an accurate calibration using the Live's line input despite the largish -12db in I/O level. I just did a spreadsheet compare between my XP Pro calibration (I/O matched within 1db), my Vista calibration with the June Vista drivers, and my Vista calibration using the 8/23 drivers. Remember, same Live box and cables. The three calibration files look to track each other within .01 db from 10hz up. Below 10hz, the differences gets as large as .08db at some frequencies, still virtually identical for speaker measurements in my book.

Cruzmisl, I just took another look at your screen captures. Have you installed the Vista drivers from Creative? You're caps show "USB audio device" for your selected Output and Input device. That looks like the generic Vista USB drivers are being used. If you've installed the drivers, you should have devices with "Soundblaster Live..." in the name. It won't help your level matching issue, but I'd still think it's a better idea to use the mfg's drivers vs. generics.

-Brent