Help with sound card / audio software

Kryja · 28 Nov 2014 at 21:29

Hi guys,

Looking for some advice and a bit of direction on getting the most out of my audio setup as I'll be in the market for a new sound card in the next month or so due to changing motherboard.

Currently my soundcard is the FX X-FI which came with my RIIE connected to a Cambridge Topaz SR10 via a 3.5mm to RCA. Speakers are two s-series cambridge ones, not sure what model. http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products/hifi-and-home-cinema/topaz-sr10 Software wise I use media monkey for music, the majority of which are mp3 ripped at 320kbps, media player classic for series / films and sometimes real player for youtube videos etc... I do game but not with a headset.

I'll ask about what soundcard would best suit my needs then can debate audio software and all that later. I'd been looking at the Asus Xonar D2X as I thought it would be better to connect my amp rca to rca - am I correct in thinking this? Or am I limiting my options?

rids57 · 28 Nov 2014 at 22:34

As you don't use headphones the D2X is a very good choice

Kryja · 3 Dec 2014 at 21:37

Okay that's good to know. I do use headphones if it's like 3am, Samson SR850, but mainly listen through my speakers.

I read a post on another forum where they more or less said there is no difference between using rca to rca vs rca to 3.5mm. So would I do better looking at something like a sound blaster? Or would that be better for a dedicated headphone user?

rids57 · 3 Dec 2014 at 23:40

A lot depends on how much you want to pay:

You could use a D2X connected to your amp and use the headphone out from that, negating any need for a headphone amp

or

You could get an STX which also has stereo RCA connectors and an excellent DAC, maybe even better than the one in the D2X. It also has a built in headphone amplifier on a dedicated 6.3mm socket so there would be no need for plugging/unplugging anything, you just switch using the software.