Where do you see bit matched playback? The bitmatch as far as I can tell is only for recording.
While we are at it just to make sure... are you using the kernel streamer plugin with foobar2000? Just need to make sure you are bypassing the windows kmixer. (I prefer the kernel streamer as opposed to asio).
You also might want to try using the coax digital output on the x-fi just to see how it sounds too (instead of the optical). You may prefer one to the other. Just something to look into for the heck of it.
If you are thinking of going to the x-meridian I would suggest just getting the x-fi elite pro. It has much better dacs and is leagues better than the other x-fi's. A very very large upgrade from the rest of the line. My elite pro comes very close to the Benchmark DAC1 ($1000 giant killer of a DAC). I still use it to connect to my DAC1.
Make sure you turn off all the extra stuff in the x-fi audio control panel (go through each tab and uncheck all the options to turn things on). But leave on the 24 bit crystalizer. It's a great upsampler.
While we are at it just to make sure... are you using the kernel streamer plugin with foobar2000? Just need to make sure you are bypassing the windows kmixer. (I prefer the kernel streamer as opposed to asio).
You also might want to try using the coax digital output on the x-fi just to see how it sounds too (instead of the optical). You may prefer one to the other. Just something to look into for the heck of it.
If you are thinking of going to the x-meridian I would suggest just getting the x-fi elite pro. It has much better dacs and is leagues better than the other x-fi's. A very very large upgrade from the rest of the line. My elite pro comes very close to the Benchmark DAC1 ($1000 giant killer of a DAC). I still use it to connect to my DAC1.
Make sure you turn off all the extra stuff in the x-fi audio control panel (go through each tab and uncheck all the options to turn things on). But leave on the 24 bit crystalizer. It's a great upsampler.