DAC Audio Solution

Roverno

Roverno

Roverno

Associate
Joined
24 May 2011
Posts
1,790
Location
West Sussex
Hi all,

I have just upgraded my rig to an msi z77 mpower board so I am now unable to use my xonar dg sound card, currently using onboard audio but not all that happy with it.

I use speakers, R1600T and a cambridge audio S-90B sub, for music and then corsair 1400 headset for gaming as I always need a mic.

I was looking at the fiio E10 but that seems optimised for headphones, and only a single output so switching over would likely be a pain.

Does anybody know of anything that they can recommend me? Thankyou
 
Thanks, that unit looks quite capable. Would it be suitable for using higher impedance headphoones too or would that not really cut it? Also, looks like i can input my digital piano headphone output into the line in and play though my speakers too? :D
 
How much impedance are we talking? I'm not sure on it's capabilities regarding headphones but should be fine AFAIK

Drivers shouldn't be a problem you'll just have to run them using compatibility for W7
 
Well i have some beyerdynamic DT 770 PROs that are the 250ohm version but i am considering selling those and buying some AKG K550 or ATH M-50X. I don't use my headphones much as i am in a flat that has very thick walls so i can play music pretty loud with no issues. Just thinking about future possibilities when things will undoubtedly change.
 
Well i have crossfire cards in my rig and i am not convinced that any sound card can isolate from the interference. I did buy an essence stx but sold it before it got in my system because i felt an external solution would be better. It also cost me a small fortune and i didnt think £130 on a sound card was good value.
 
Roverno said:
Well i have crossfire cards in my rig and i am not convinced that any sound card can isolate from the interference. I did buy an essence stx but sold it before it got in my system because i felt an external solution would be better. It also cost me a small fortune and i didnt think £130 on a sound card was good value.
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if it for gaming , music & movies then this will do the job nicely it also has headphone amp on it. Creative Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1
 
That creative solution looks quite good but ive not seen many recommend the brand at all. Ive heard in the past that they stuff never really worked very well. have you tried this omni surround thing to know that it is good?
 
in the past creative external sound card weren't the best or product was good but drivers were rubbish. last few external they done with price range between £66-£88 have been good and their drivers have been getting better from what I read. as for the Omni surround 5.1 I cannot tell if it good or not as I haven't got one, but I did look in to it as I've just upgraded my system and no longer have a pci slot on my mobo so I cannot use my trusted Creative X-fi FPS Champion on it. so I been looking at a replacement, the zxr is internal plus shielded, but if you want external solution and do not want to pay the earth then your best bet is the Omni as it base on the zxr tech to oppose the older x-fi that the other creative external card are base on which most do not have headphone amp. the reviews I read so far on the Omni are all positive. do a google search on it read the reviews.
 
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I have just received a fii0 e10 tonight. I am a heavy headphone user (AKG 550's) but also have some creative speakers with an amp, now thinking of upgrading to monitor audio bx2's.

The fiio e10 has made me rediscover my music collection, it simply broadens the sound and gives it so much more, best thing I've bought in a long time! The sound from my speakers also has much more clarity, I know I'm only saying this after a few hours of use but I can defiantly say it is a improvement from using onboard. Plus it is a bargain and really nicely built bit of of kit :)

An alternative I was looking at was Audinst HUD-mx2 , simply because it has a button to select headphones or speakers. The fiio does not have this, it has a line in for headphones on the front, and a line out for speakers. if you have both plugged in at the same time it will output sound on both of them. this is the one feature I would love! But it is a headphone amp which if you are after sound and quality it will not disappoint.
 
I'd check out the EHP-O2 amp seems all the rage at the moment for best budget amp/dac.
 
Ehp 02 amp is good I'm sure, I've heard about it too. But it has only one output, I use speakers more than headphones. Plus it's about twice the price of the creative unit for something that doesn't anything more.

Also that Audinst hud unit is way more expensive than I was looking to spend so won't be getting that one afraid. That being said, I would really like to be able to switch between headphones and speakers at the click of a button or change of dial. The creative 5.1 thing doesn't have the best solution for that scenario.
 
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