Soundcard with good DAC

scwilson · 27 Feb 2011 at 23:06

Hi Folks,

I have an ASUS Crosshair III formula with built in sound card and I'm looking at changing it because when running my PC through my Nakamichi system, the sound quality is slightly lacking compared to if I play the same CD direct on the Nakamichi system.

Is this because the DAC on the soundcard is inferior to the Nakamichi system?

I am looking at possibly changing the soundcard. Any suggestions?

james.miller · 27 Feb 2011 at 23:27

slightly lacking? i would hope it was downright diabolical next to a full nakamichi setup

scwilson · 27 Feb 2011 at 23:34

Yes - you are right, just trying to be polite

rickh · 27 Feb 2011 at 23:40

How are you connecting the soundcard to the amp?

scwilson · 27 Feb 2011 at 23:41

Just stright forward mini jack (audio out on soundcard to audio in (Aux) on Nakamichi system).

rickh · 28 Feb 2011 at 00:22

Your mobo has optical out doesn't it?

If you can use a digital output rather than analogue output from your pc, then your nakamichi DAC will do all the work.

scwilson · 28 Feb 2011 at 00:42

Hi - yes my card has optical output but my Nakamichi does not have optical input.

MikeHunt79 · 28 Feb 2011 at 00:49

The Emu 0404USB's DAC is pretty nice, it uses an AK4396 which sounds nice out of the box.

Some people have modded the 0404USB a little to improve the sound further, but I quite like the sound of mine as it is...

rickh · 28 Feb 2011 at 01:08

scwilson said:
Hi - yes my card has optical output but my Nakamichi does not have optical input.

Does it have any digital input?

If not, you'll have to find a good DAC rather than soundcard.