very best usb soundcard

[markyboy156]

hi

in peoples opion what would be the very best usb soundcard to use with the hyper x cloud 2 headphones for fils games and music

 

[EsaT]

For gaming you should be looking for binaural sound.
Would be shame to feed those quite decent headphones some left ear/right ear/inside head stereo meant for speakers.
(junk headphones have head in bucket soundstage even if fed binaural sound)

First minute or two of this is good for testing headphone's soundstage. Sounds should have clear depth/distance separation:

Some of that inside head suckyness of stereo speaker signal in first two minutes in this:

Big name Dolby Headphone has rather awfull echo causing bass bloat and public bath/ceramic tiled room overal sound with Creative's binaural simulation algorithms doing lot better job.
And unlike old game sound details nitpicking CMSS-3D current ones don't mutilate music completely if left on.

Sound Blaster X7 is Creative's top external sound card, though includes also stereo speaker amplifier.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/crea...ternal-dac-and-audio-amplifier-sc-097-cl.html

Sound BlasterX G5 would be more typical USB sound card.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/crea...-card-with-headphone-amplifier-sp-183-cl.html

 

[agnes]

Oh god, that first video enabled Dolby surround on the Xonar DG soundcard, which I have, and it's horrible! Worst feature to enable.

Anyway, I have the Asus Xonar DG sound card paired up with my HD 650's, the soundcard has custom op amps and filter in it. But it's a personal choice to do that to change the characteristics of the sound.

I set it to 5.1 sound, and leave it at that. Games sound simply amazing. Really clear and healthy.

 

[Swinbag]

Personally, I've been using the FiiO E10K for over 2 years and have been very happy with the sound - there's no software for EQ etc. So if you're after something with gaming specific settings then you'll want to look elsewhere.

 

[EsaT]

Oh god, that first video enabled Dolby surround on the Xonar DG soundcard, which I have, and it's horrible! Worst feature to enable.

Knowing how big name Dolby is in AV business and having heard so much hype about how great Asus Xonars are for headphones first time listening those comparisons was major shock.

Old CMSS-3D sure mutilates music/frequncy response, but it doesn't add echo and detail nitpicking is on its own level.
While Dolby reminded me instantly about being in public bath with water surface and ceramic tiling reflecting all sounds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9ApNLMmeAs

 

[agnes]

It truly is shocking isn't it lol.