FiiO K5 Pro vs Creative G6 - Mainly music usage

Space Monkey · 13 Jan 2021 at 20:11

Hey guys,

Due to installing my GPU in a vertical mount I had to sell my sound card and was thinking of just using the onboard audio on my motherboard, but its not been great, so I'm thinking of getting an external soundcard.

My cans are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBB and my usage is mainly music from uncompressed FLACs taken from CDs.

I will of course use it for PC gaming but I don't play first person shooters so positional sound isn't a prime concern for me, play stuff like racing games, turn based strategy etc... so I'm assuming for these types of games both of my choices will be equal in that regard?

I appreciate there is approx £40 difference, but that's not a worry, just what's the best option?

Thanks in advance

Space Monkey · 13 Jan 2021 at 22:59

Guest2 said:
What soundcard did you have @Space Monkey?
I went from Xonar Essense ST to G6 and it sounds great with music, probably about the same. AKG 702 headphones & vmoda boompro mic

The Creative Sound Blaster Z (the red one)

Space Monkey · 13 Jan 2021 at 23:46

Guest2 said:
I can't comment on the SB Z but the Xonar Essense ST was supposed to be 'audiophile' grade and had many great reviews. Luckily the SB G6 holds up to the reviews and sounds great with music and gaming. Certainly on par with the Xonar
Speakers I have iLoud Micro monitors

Thanks for the info & @Timber really appreciate it

My microphone is a USB version so that goes directly to the PC which saves any hassles.

So against my previous card it looks like both options would be considered an upgrade in sound quality, and I must confess that the build quality and looks of the FiiO does interest me especially as it'll be sat on my PC desk all the time (no consoles here).

What's the build quality like on the G6, quite light as well isn't it?

Space Monkey · 14 Jan 2021 at 10:09

Thanks guys, I've just ordered the FiiO K5 Pro as I think it'll be a slightly better fit for my setup, and got a £2.50 discount woohoo!

Space Monkey · 15 Jan 2021 at 01:41

I've just realised my new PC motherboard has an S/PDIF out and the FiiO K5 Pro has an optical in so do I just need an optical to optical cable and is this the best way to get the sound over, or should I get a USB to USB audio grade cable?

Are all optical cables created equally or should I be looking at a certain level?

One last question, my desktop speakers (Creative T40 MKIIs) have a 3.5mm input, so should I just get an RCA to 3.5mm cable for that from the FiiO?

Thanks