External DAC/amp for AKG K702

Mickcas

Mickcas

Mickcas

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Joined
21 Jan 2017
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720
Location
County Durham
Morning all.

During a cpu and motherboard swap it seems my AE5 sound card or the software was causing BDOD crashes. As such I can't bring myself to re install this so I'm looking for an external solution

Ideally it would be great if I could plug both my headphones and my desktop speakers in without the need to swap wires etc

Under £100 ideally.
Mic input would be useful
Volume dial also useful but not a deal breaker
 
Feel like the obvious answer is the Creative SoundBlaster G6 which if bought as B-stock will be £75 (RRP is £130). Probably similar in spec to the AE-5 but will easily drive AKG K7xx headphones, has mic input, Volume dial and Line-out/Optical for connection to speakers. So you can then use the Command Centre software to switch between headphones and speakers. I have the G6 and Fiio K5 Pro and there isn't much between them. I use both of them with my AKG and Beyerdynamic headphones depending on which PC I am on. Although I prefer the K5 Pro as it is slightly warmer and a more suitable desk-friendly setup. The G6 is fantastically versatile and also has some fantastic VSS in the software if not using 3D audio, which makes it more versatile for gaming. Does rely on software/drivers more than a more basic stereo DAC/AMP.

Other than that not much below £100, a few models like the the Fiio K3 or E10K which are very capable entry level DAC/AMPs. Much more choice over £100 where other DAC/AMPs like the Schiit Fulla 3, iFi Zen DAC V2, Topping D10, Fiio K5 Pro etc. Although only the Fulla 3 would include a Mic input but all of these would work with headphones & speaker setups and include a volume dial.
 
Thanks.

I looked at the g6 but I want to stay away from software requirements if possible.

I'll have a looknl at your other suggestions though thank you
 
No worries & good luck.

One thing I have realised is that I think I actually meant the Topping D3 Pro, which appears to be the new D3 Pro+ now and is c.£200. Topping have a few different models but the D10's strength is really as a DAC which can convert USB into analogue audio for an AMP. So might not be a good choice here. On a similar theme the Fiio K5 Pro has an updated K5 Pro ESS model although it again appears to be quite new.

I wouldn't call my list exhaustive, merely what sprang to mind, although it definitely contains some of the obvious choices in the under £100 and £100-200 categories.
 
Mickcas said:
Morning all.

During a cpu and motherboard swap it seems my AE5 sound card or the software was causing BDOD crashes. As such I can't bring myself to re install this so I'm looking for an external solution

Ideally it would be great if I could plug both my headphones and my desktop speakers in without the need to swap wires etc

Under £100 ideally.
Mic input would be useful
Volume dial also useful but not a deal breaker
Click to expand...

Wise move to be honest. I'm afraid Creative will always be rubbish when it comes to driver issues. As you really want to stick to plug and play USB.
 
Yes, something USB would be preferred.
The software may be fine now that I've updated all the drivers but it took me 2 days to sort and I vant bring myself to try it again
 
I use the Topping E30 on my K712s and it's been great so can highly recommend that. AMP wise maybe the Atom Amp+
 
try a bios update before you give up on the soundcard
plenty have an ae5 issue free and the amps good
 
I'm not 100% sure but I think you don't have to install the G6 software to use it - its USB so registers in Win10/11 as a USB audio device. When I want to change between headphones and speakers I unplug the headphones which switches over to my Edifiers. I'm using AKG 712 Pro's with a mod mic and very rarely use the software (gaming and music use).
 
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