Budget Soundcard and headset combo?

stoke1863

stoke1863

stoke1863

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Well think my soundcard has died. Im getting all sorts of distortion from the centre speakers and im also getting random reboots when watching videos. The sound stutters and then my PC crashes.

I currently use a Asus Xonar DS and a Gamceon 777 USB headset. I really dont rate this headset at all (maybe because im using it as USB?)

So im after a good headset and sound card combo as cheap as possible. No more than £100

Thanks
 
Is your soundcard installed right next to a hot graphics card by any chance? Sounds like it's overheating.

Is there room to move it elsewhere?

Anyway - the DS is pretty much the worst Xonar for headphone use (I think every other Xonar has Dolby Headphone). Replacing it will be a bit pointless though if it is overheating and you're going to install another card in the same slot. It's likely that other cards will have similar problems if overheating is the problem.
 
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Marsman said:
OP, are you using speakers as well?

The 777's are USB, so are not using the Xonar.
Click to expand...

Yes im using 5.1 surround sound as well

Reason i use the USB is becuase i get insane crackling using the front audio ports of my PC.


I dont think the sound card is overheating as ive had if for 2 years.
 
Just use the rear audio sockets? The soundcard will not be causing the crackling, it is just interference through the cable.

Just get some half decent non-USB cans and plug them into the back.
 
Any thoughts on the 330 and dg bundle at £80 leaving work at 5 to go down the shop and get some.

I heard the bass and lows are not great on the 330 and i must admit i am a bit of a bass whore. im no audiophile in the slightest though.

Or do you think the gamecon 777 might be good enough when not using the USB sound card

or mayhe the Asus Vulcan ANC bundle?
 
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So you are getting the distortion from your 5.1 speakers connected to your Xonar DS?

If so, try re-seating the card, un-install the drivers, and then install any new ones, or re-install the ones you have.

I had a problem once, which I think was a Xonar DS, I had at the time. I had sound problems, then Windows decided the card was no longer there. Once I reseated the card, it was fine.

As for the DG + 330 bundle you linked. The 330's clamp quite a bit. A few reviewers said they get very uncomfortable after only a few minutes.

The DG is a better card for headphones than the DS is, but you will more than likely still get crackling from your front audio ports. It happens with many sound cards, even top of the line, because it's nothing to do with the sound card itself. It's more often than not, to do with the cables that connect the case to the sound card, picking up interference within the case, or a ground loop problem.
 
Im think im going to buy regular music heaphoens and a clip on mic.

Deffo need a new sound card as the DS has been bad news from day 0 with BSOD.

Yes the centre chanel of my 5.1 speakers is busted using the DS no matter how many times ive chabgesd drivers and re sitted.

Think ill go and get the DG and a clip on mic and order some music headset instead
 
Panasonic HTF600's are worth considering. They only cost £30 odd, but they are very good value for money, and sound better than their price suggests. Same goes for the Goldring DR150's.

DR150's do have a problem with cracks appearing in the headband extenders though, but they are only £30.

Just to put it in to context. One might think they should be cheap, if they have a problem like that. Sennheiser HD555's have a similar issue, but it happens just above the ear cups. They went from £40 a few years ago, to £80-£90, without the issue being resolved. There are plenty of people who prefer the DR150's sound over the HD555's. That makes the DR150's a bargain IMO, even if they do have the headband issue.

Superlux HD668B, and Creative Aurvana Live! All worth considering up to £50. Any headset in the same price range, wouldn't come close to any of them.
 
Thanks for great advice.

Ive set my budget at around £65 so what would you reccomend as the best headphone / headset for that price?
 
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Yes. :)

Sound is a personal thing, especially speakers and headphones. Not everyone will have the same opinion on any given headphone. Some will love a particular headphone, some may find the sound is not to their liking at all.

Sony MDR-V500's are a good example. So many positive reviews on the jungle site. I've owned them, and I think they are rubbish. Muddy sound, and my Goldring DR150's which are now cheaper, are far better.
 
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Orderd for delivery tomorrow.

Im no audiophile and have never owned a good pair of cans so im hoping these pannys will impress me. £30 seems very cheaop leaves me with a bit extra for a soundcard.

IS the DG still the bEst option or is something that costs £50 better?
 
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DG is very good budget card. Xonar D1/X is a better card, so I guess it depends whether you'd rather spend £20, or £50-£60.

The DG does have a headphone amp, so if you like to murder your eardrums, then you'll get higher volume from the DG.
 
Got the DG and tried my old gamecon 777 on it and i have to have the voume cranked up to 100 on everything to be loud enough.

Its loud but it snot enough sometimes. Surely soemthing not right here? When i plug the gamecon in using its USB soundcard its very loud.

Still waiting for the pannys to arrive today hopefully
 
Just got the pannys.

VERY impressed with them im no audiophile so im not sure how to describe them but they seem very crisp to me, cant wait until they burn in even more

In regards to loudness i still have to have these at 100 volume to seem like they are loud enough that includes testing them on an MP3 player

any ideas?
 
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