Creative® Sound Core3D™ Quad-Core Audio Processor Versus Xonar DSX

Creative haven't made anything that good in awhile IMO - and I've even become a bit disenchanted with my X-Fi since bypassing the stock op amps and realising how muddy sounding they actually are :S

EDIT: Looks like the default OP AMP on those boards is the 2134? I've been playing with one of those family on my recent experiments and its a very plain sounding op amp - stick the OPA2111KP in there if you have the kit and you should have a far more lively sound. (Infact the 2134 is the "audio" version of the 2132 I've been playing with and is infact a de-rated chip with worse sound quality than the 2132 even - I would strongly recommend anyone using that sound hardware with the rear ports looks into replacing the op amp the stock one is very stable but also very unremarkable sounding almost to the point of dulling the sound).

(If your using the front panel headphone amp that doesn't apply).

Cant be to do with the faff...I bought a DSX to use in a spare PC but it wont fit...so I was going to fit it to my X99 rig...But only if its worth it over the Core 3D
 
Doesn't surprise me - regardless of how good the rest of the sound hardware might or might not be the Creative is only ever going to sound bland with the 2134 in there - surprised that is the default op amp - sure its very stable and forgiving but it never shows off hardware in its best light.

Where do you buy these op amps? Out of interest would using the front panel audio be better ?
 
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