Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD or Cambridge Audio Dacmagic XS?

APM · 24 Dec 2015 at 15:22

Hi gents,

I'm looking to break into better audio and I'm stuck on a toss up between the two devices mentioned for my budget.

Headphone usage mostly,could be going to some Grado 60 or 80's sometime in the future but will only be used with DT 235 Beyerdynamic or a Panasonic wireless system in the meantime.

Any and all comments and ideas gratefully received.

PapaLazaru · 24 Dec 2015 at 16:06

What is you max budget?

PapaLazaru · 24 Dec 2015 at 16:15

Actually, just seen the DACmagic XS MK2 is on sale for £50!

APM · 24 Dec 2015 at 16:25

Yes,£49 from tomorrow so I'm thinking of picking one up.

PapaLazaru · 24 Dec 2015 at 16:28

The KORG DS DAC 100M down from £350 to £100 looks interesting as well.

Spec-Chum · 24 Dec 2015 at 16:38

Where you getting these prices from?

PapaLazaru · 24 Dec 2015 at 16:41

Richer Sounds.

Spec-Chum · 24 Dec 2015 at 16:46

Thank you

Marine-RX179 · 24 Dec 2015 at 17:37

I use my DacMagic XS with my phone as well when I'm out and about...it's one of the portability benefit that soundcard cannot offer.

APM · 24 Dec 2015 at 19:03

Looks like a good starter device to me and using USB seems a good place to kick off from too.

APM · 24 Dec 2015 at 19:06

Something I can't see for sure is if the smaller XS unit has the ATF2 upsampling onboard?

PapaLazaru · 24 Dec 2015 at 22:29

APM said:
Something I can't see for sure is if the smaller XS unit has the ATF2 upsampling onboard?

Does not look like it but would not be concerned.

APM · 25 Dec 2015 at 22:44

Any opinions on the Grado SR80e?

APM · 26 Dec 2015 at 17:03

So I got the XS,installed the USB 2 drivers and shredded the partition table on 2 week old install to a new SSD.

Just looking to see how I can recover that now.

[HB]Rugrat · 27 Dec 2015 at 08:24

APM said:
Any opinions on the Grado SR80e?

I've had the "I" version for a couple of years and love them to bits. I believe the e version has had the bass beefed up a bit but are otherwise similar. They're really punchy and good at low volumes, but everyone else in the room will hear what you're listening to. I've got other open backed headphones but these just seem to intrude on the outside world a bit more (or maybe I just listen to them at higher volume!)

If I had a criticism it would be the cable tending to get twisted due to the fact that the ears themselves freely spin around. No big deal though.

APM · 27 Dec 2015 at 19:20

Stunning little bit of kit this dacmagic xs.

If anyone's reading this and thinking is there any truth in these dac upgrades making a difference to your sound then try one of these,it's scary.

APM · 27 Dec 2015 at 19:21

Thanks Rugrat,

the Grado 80SR may just about be within my means,I understand they're really good for rock music and I do like some electronic dance music now and then how would you say they perform for that kind of stuff?

[HB]Rugrat · 29 Dec 2015 at 07:20

I listen to mostly rock / indie and they're great - I think the ones I have ARE a little light on bass so the updated model (which I've read has a bit more oomph) should be fine. Have you got the option to have a listen first?

APM · 29 Dec 2015 at 09:33

I have to return my AVR for some repairs to it's headphone socket so that's Richer Sounds but it's only a small shop in Cardiff and they don't have too much stuff to demo in there.

I'll be doing that in the new year sometime so I'll have a listen to them then,I'm also considering some Yamaha- HPH-200 I think is the model.