which soundcard for postional audio

[topher]

so which soundcard to go for, when using stereo headphones

creative X-fi

or

Asus DGX 5.1

from what I have read the asus does dolby headphone and the creative cmss3d

 

[Sin_Chase]

Personally the Dolby implementation is superior.

Creative is more supported at a hardware level from a gaming point of view however.

 

[topher]

from what I have read on the web, CMSS-3d is the better at positional audio..

anyone tried both?

 

[Marsman]

The problem with the Xtreme Audio is that it's not an X-Fi card. It's a repackaged older Audigy. The CMSS 3D performance isn't going to be as good as one of the proper X-Fi cards.

 

[topher]

The problem with the Xtreme Audio is that it's not an X-Fi card. It's a repackaged older Audigy. The CMSS 3D performance isn't going to be as good as one of the proper X-Fi cards.

so the DGX is the better of the 2 cards? or I up my budget and get more expsenive creative!

 

[Marsman]

I'd say so yes. That doesn't necessarily mean a DG is the right choice. As you're buying the card for positional gaming audio. Some people prefer CMSS 3D, some prefer DH. Any comparison would be much better using a proper X-Fi. A Titanium would be a good buy if you can get hold of one.

I'd probably pick CMSS 3D over DH for gaming, if I had the choice. They are both good though in my opinion. Some people don't like DH though, as they find it can have an echo kind of effect. It's dependant on the user though, as not everyone finds this.

One thing that Creative X-Fi cards do better, and maybe one of the reasons why people find that DH has an echo to it; is that a macro means that any VOIP is not affected by the surround sound effect of CMSS 3D. With DH on Xonar's, anyone you are chatting to will have an echo sound to their voice. It's a little weird at first, but I soon got to used to it.

The SB Z cards don't use CMSS 3D. I think they use something called SBX Prostudio. How that compares I don't know.

 

[Notorious]

chord 24-32bit usb buffering dac.

if its not British is design its probably worth **** all.

 

[Marsman]

chord 24-32bit usb buffering dac.

if its not British is design its probably worth **** all.

Yes, really helpful suggestion there. I'm sure the OP has a spare £1000 lying around to buy a nice Chord DAC.

 

[Notorious]

Yes, really helpful suggestion there. I'm sure the OP has a spare £1000 lying around to buy a nice Chord DAC.

i meant http://www.whathifi.com/review/chord-electronics-qbd76

but http://www.whathifi.com/review/chord-electronics-qutehd for 1k looks good

has the ram buffer + reclocks like the qbd76

192kHz/32-bit over USB
382khz/32-bit over coax

just kernal stream FLAC bitperfectly to it from foobar2000, pwnage.

 

[Marsman]

Doesn't matter what you meant. Suggesting a £1k+ DAC in a thread where the OP is talking about sub £50 sound cards that offer positional sound, is well... a bit silly.

 

[topher]

yeah, I wont be spending 1k audio for a PC!

X-Fi Titanium's for £50 isn't gonna happen, unless I 2nd hand!

how about the creative recon 3d

also could someone recommend a set of headphones max £60

 

[Marsman]

No point what so ever in buying a Recon3D. SB Z is a better card for similar money. I would imagine that SBX Prostudio is good though. I really can't see Creative replacing CMSS 3D with something that isn't very good; besides, the Recon3D doesn't use CMSS 3D either.

 

[topher]

any recommendation for headphones, seen the NS1000's but they are closed back, so I assume soundstage isn't very good!

 

[Marsman]

NS1000 are very good and work very well with DH. I think that's one thing DH has over CMSS 3D at least, creating a wider sound stage for smaller headphones.

Superlux HD668B, might be worth considering, if you want larger headphones. If you're looking at around the £50 mark, I don't think there is a great deal of choice of larger headphones.