External gaming sound card.

Soldato
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External don't have access to any special parts.
D/A converters are common components.
Same for audio opamps.

And for headphone power levels any discrete components are just huge challenge to match each particular component, so that whole circuit works together.
While IC can have special components designed for that single circuit.
 
Man of Honour
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If you are gaming I can highly recommend the Creative AE-5 - it has a reasonably decent amp onboard that can drive most consumer headphones no hassle combined with a good quality DAC and a good selection of software sound processing options like virtual surround if that is to your taste.
 
Soldato
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If you are gaming I can highly recommend the Creative AE-5 - it has a reasonably decent amp onboard that can drive most consumer headphones no hassle combined with a good quality DAC and a good selection of software sound processing options like virtual surround if that is to your taste.

Only £99 at the moment as well!
 
Soldato
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31 Dec 2006
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Having recently moved to ITX I have had a similar conundrum, as I cannot fit a soundcard in my system. I wanted something that could take my mic as well, and have tried both the Creative Sound BlasterX G5 and the Asus Xonar U7 MKII. I can't say I noticed a massive difference between the two, but the G5 was louder and had a few nicer software features. Nearly twice the price though.

I don't know if all the virtual surround gaming stuff is just marketing BS or not. It may very well be but I am no audiophile. I would be interested to know what the Schiit might sound like compared to these, especially across a range of music and games. Has anyone used the Schiit Fulla 2? Fulla Schiit, gotta love that ha! :D

I have a pair of Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro 250 ohm headphones with a mod mic attached.
 
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Soldato
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18 Oct 2009
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Schiit Fulla 2 is just a DAC/amp, so has no input for microphone; output only.

While it is very good I wouldn't expect any improvement over the G5.
 
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