Advice on sound card/DAC

benjii · 28 May 2017 at 14:59

A while ago I bought an ASUS Xonar Essence STX II, having switched from onboard audio to that drastically improved the audio quality in my Sennheiser 598's, my microphone was clearer too. However, these cards have an issue, caused by either the drivers, Windows or a combination of both, where you can be on the receiving end of a deafening distortion and a high pitch squeal. It just happened to me a second time in 3 months and my ears are still ringing. I'm sending it back for a refund.

My question is, what would be a good replacement? Upon reading it seems that a USB DAC may serve me better than an internal sound card, but I'm struggling to find one that would support headphone and microphone inputs. My budget is around £200. I would be grateful for any advice.

Rroff · 28 May 2017 at 15:01

Sennheiser GSX might be worth a look.

benjii · 28 May 2017 at 15:39

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm most definitely a novice with regards to audio equipment. However, that doesn't seem fit my requirements. My goal is to have the best quality music experience possible. I do also use a microphone though. If that is limiting my options, would I be able to use my microphone with onboard sound and run the headphones separately? At some point I do plan on upgrading my headphones, HD 650's or beyond.

My motherboard is a ASUS Maximus VIII Hero Alpha. Relevant info (I think):

ROG SupremeFX 2015 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
- SupremeFX Shielding Technology
- ESS® ES9023P DAC: dB SNR, dB THD+N (Max. kHz/ -bit)
- TI RC4580 2VRMS audio OP AMP(s

1 x Optical S/PDIF out

rids57 · 28 May 2017 at 15:59

Schiit Modi 2 and Schiit Magni 2 and plug the microphone into the motherboard

Rroff · 28 May 2017 at 16:02

benjii said:
My goal is to have the best quality music experience possible.

Ah from the 598s and microphone stuff I got the impression you were looking for a good quality music experience with a balance for gaming functionality - if you want the best possible music experience then the GSX is definitely out - its good but at the end of the day the DAC is about the same level as the higher end integrated audio slightly benefiting from not being on the motherboard itself.

Marsman · 28 May 2017 at 16:43

Best possible music experience and external pretty much rules out majority of devices with microphone input for up to £200. Creative X7 might be worth a look though if you can find one for a good price. If not then there's the Creative E5, which has the same DAC as the ZxR and X7. Not sure if the headphone amp is the same.

Otherwise; as rids57 has suggested; Schiit stack and use the onboard audio for microphone. If you are looking for something better than onboard audio for micophone, then buying a external sound card just for the microphone will eat into what you can spend on the DAC/amp.

benjii · 28 May 2017 at 16:46

rids57 said:
Schiit Modi 2 and Schiit Magni 2 and plug the microphone into the motherboard

Thanks for the suggestion. The reviews for those certainly look good, but I'm slightly unsure on a couple of things. I'd appreciate some advice. Am I right in thinking my headphones would plug into the Magni 2, then that plugs into the Modi 2, which would then plug into the PC? I noticed some suggestions that the Modi 2 uber could be a better choice to avoid the USB power source and associated problems. The Modi 2 uber has a separate power source and SPDIF inputs. Would that work better? Would I be able to connect my motherboard's optical S/PDIF out to that as opposed to USB? I apologise if these are stupid questions!

Rroff said:
Ah from the 598s and microphone stuff I got the impression you were looking for a good quality music experience with a balance for gaming functionality - if you want the best possible music experience then the GSX is definitely out - its good but at the end of the day the DAC is about the same level as the higher end integrated audio slightly benefiting from not being on the motherboard itself.

Yeah, that was my mistake, I wasn't particularly clear. My thoughts are, if I focus on music quality foremost, gaming quality will follow suit. I have no interest in surround sound, virtual or otherwise.

benjii · 28 May 2017 at 16:52

Marsman said:
Best possible music experience and external pretty much rules out majority of devices with microphone input for up to £200. Creative X7 might be worth a look though if you can find one for a good price. If not then there's the Creative E5, which has the same DAC as the ZxR and X7. Not sure if the headphone amp is the same.

Otherwise; as rids57 has suggested; Schiit stack and use the onboard audio for microphone. If you are looking for something better than onboard audio for micophone, then buying a external sound card just for the microphone will eat into what you can spend on the DAC/amp.

Thank you. I didn't realise it would be that much of an issue. The onboard chip does fine, I'd rather not sacrifice quality or increase my budget significantly for the sake of a microphone, I only use it for teamspeak anyway.

rids57 · 28 May 2017 at 18:06

I didn't mention the Schiit Uber variants as that would take you well over budget.

Yes, you can run your optical out into the Schiit Modi 2 Uber, which would completely isolate you from the PC.
You could then use RCA cables to connect to a Schiit Magni 2, Magni 2 Uber or Vali 2.

Magni 2 - solid state, discrete component amp that drives HD650s easily.

Magni 2 Uber - improved output stage providing even more power and slightly better sound quality. Also has pre-amp out sockets, enabling you to control the volume of active speakers and headphone insertion detection.

Vali 2 - features a tube pre-amp stage and solid state output stage, so enables sound signature tweaking via tube rolling, while keeping the versatility of the solid state output, which allows the use of anything from IEMs to Beyer T1s (600ohm).

benjii · 28 May 2017 at 18:41

rids57 said:
I didn't mention the Schiit Uber variants as that would take you well over budget.

Yes, you can run your optical out into the Schiit Modi 2 Uber, which would completely isolate you from the PC.
You could then use RCA cables to connect to a Schiit Magni 2, Magni 2 Uber or Vali 2.

Magni 2 - solid state, discrete component amp that drives HD650s easily.

Magni 2 Uber - improved output stage providing even more power and slightly better sound quality. Also has pre-amp out sockets, enabling you to control the volume of active speakers and headphone insertion detection.

Vali 2 - features a tube pre-amp stage and solid state output stage, so enables sound signature tweaking via tube rolling, while keeping the versatility of the solid state output, which allows the use of anything from IEMs to Beyer T1s (600ohm).

Thank you, this is very helpful. Seems I have some research to do. I said a budget of £200 as that was what the sound card cost (ish). However, I would increase my budget some if it would make a difference. I'm rather a perfectionist when it comes to audio and visual stuff, unfortunately constrained somewhat by money.

benjii · 28 May 2017 at 23:25

I'm going to for the Magni 2 uber and Modi 2 uber stack, the reviews for that combo look fantastic. Thank you all for your help.

rids57 · 29 May 2017 at 01:25

I have the Modi and Magni 2 (non Uber) as I have my speakers plugged into my STX (non screechy version) as well as the mk1 Vali - all very good kit and excellent value for money.

benjii · 1 Jun 2017 at 13:27

This is an update for anyone searching in the future. The Modi 2/Magni 2 Uber stack is amazing, easily surpasses the quality of any sound card I've ever used. I highly recommend it.

I'd also add that I went for the Uber variant so I could use a toslink cable. Doing that has completely killed the static sound I'd get in my headphones, at certain frequencies, from Windows.

rids57 said:
-

Thank you, I really appreciate your help on this. I'm a happy chap.

rids57 · 1 Jun 2017 at 15:48

Glad to hear it and thanks for posting an update :cool: