Cheapish sound card?

Mr.Nick · 22 Dec 2009 at 12:43

I am looking into buying a sound card, however my budget isn't big, would this fit the bill?? I listen to extreme metal and might be getting some Logitech Z-4's if that helps.

Thanks

BeeP · 22 Dec 2009 at 13:07

It's decent but for another £17 (if that can be done) I would go for a D1 or maybe a DX from the xonar range.

Marsman · 22 Dec 2009 at 14:11

If you can't stretch to what Beep suggested, the DS is a good card. I have it in my HTPC, and musically it performs better than the X-Fi Xtreme Music I have in my main PC.

If you intend to use it for gaming too I would save the extra and grab the D1 or DX. The DS is missing key features as far as gaming goes.

Uriel · 22 Dec 2009 at 14:13

The DS is only missing key features if you want Dolby Headphone or Dolby Digital Live. Do you plan to use headphones or connect to a dolby receiver? If not the DS will be fine.

Mr.Nick · 22 Dec 2009 at 22:35

Oh yes, I will also be using it for gaming, and I will be using headphones at times as well.

@ Uriel, I wont be connecting it to a Dolby receiver, whatever that is

So will the DS be fine?

Thanks

Marsman · 22 Dec 2009 at 22:46

It depends what you will be using the headphones for. Just music or gaming too?

Mr.Nick · 22 Dec 2009 at 22:48

I would be using the headphones for music and gaming, but for most of the time I would be using my speaker's.

Marsman · 22 Dec 2009 at 23:20

The DS doesn't have Dolby Headphone, which can make a difference whilst gaming. It depends on how much you use headphones, if you rarely used them for gaming, you probably won't miss it.

The DX/D1 would be a better buy, one, if you used headphones more for gaming, and two, if you had 5.1 speakers. The DX/D1 has technologies to upmix sound to 5.1, which will work well for games with only 2 channel sound for eg.

Mr.Nick · 22 Dec 2009 at 23:40

How much of a difference does Dolby Headphone actually make? I doubt I would use headphones as much for gaming as I would speakers, I also doubt I will get a 5.1 setup, or not in a long time anyhow, which by that time I'm sure i would want to buy a new sound card anyway. So I guess the DS would suit my needs then?

Uriel · 22 Dec 2009 at 23:59

Dolby Headphone sounds kind of like 5.1 speakers (it will do stereo too). You should be able to tell the difference between front and rear with it on stereo headphones (not just left and right).

With the right headphones I've been fooled into thinking my speakers were on.

Mr.Nick · 23 Dec 2009 at 00:39

Hmm, I don't think I would use headphones for gaming enough to enjoy Dolby Headphone, so I think I'll give it a pass.

Thanks guys