RightMark Audio Analyzer - Loopback - 16-bit/44.1kHz
Moving from subjective listening tests to something more objective, we used RightMark Audio Analyzer to evaluate output quality. Our first set of RMAA results are from "loopback" tests that route a sound card's output through its line input. We'll kick things off with 16-bit/44.1kHz CD-quality audio.

To keep things simple, I've translated RightMark's word-based quality scale to numbers. Higher scores reflect better audio quality, and the scale tops out at 6, which corresponds to an "Excellent" rating.

The X-Meridian scores a few wins here, distancing itself from the X-Fi in noise level and dynamic range tests. However, the Inferno doesn't fare quite as well. That card scores lower than the X-Meridian in four of six tests and lower than the X-Fi in three. At least the Inferno stays ahead of the ADI 1988A most of the time, particularly when it comes to frequency response and stereo crosstalk.