Moving on from onboard sound

oaksmokedbacon · 28 May 2015 at 12:28

Hi all,

i've posted previously about moving to purchase a dedicated soundcard instead of using my onboard. I mainly listen to music and play games (bf4 mainly and various others) and i guess i'm looking for some extra reassurance before I buy.

I have been told that external USB is better than internal and have been recommended this:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-024-AS

I have Sennhesier Momentum Headphone (over ear) which I love and want to get the most out of these.

Budget - upto £100 so is the Asus the best value on the market?

thanks for the advice in advance

Ninja Pirate · 28 May 2015 at 15:22

What are you expecting to improve on by getting an external DAC/Amp?

The Momentums are pretty sensitive so don't really need more power, and unless you are getting a lot of EMI or related noise through your onboard sound, an external DAC/amp would likely be wasted on you.

oaksmokedbacon · 28 May 2015 at 16:18

I would expect better sound quality as I know that the onboards aren't the best unless you pay for a premium motherboard with the high end on board which I havent.

I'm not an audiophile but i remember the quality difference between in my old PC between the onboard and SB Audigy cards and there was so much more depth.

rids57 · 28 May 2015 at 16:47

Depends if you want features or sound quality.

The Xonar U7 has all of the features of an internal sound card and the sound quality of a card of the same value.

The Schiit Audio Fulla has none of the sound processing features of a sound card but better sound quality, albeit in good old simple stereo.

danoliver1 · 28 May 2015 at 20:18

Something like a soundblaster z would be a nice upgrade to onboard, the main thing i didnt like about onboard was the background hiss, got an xfi music and that was a night and day difference just sounded better eg no hiss, more powerful bass, better soundstage. Now i have a external dac/amp and tobe honest the xfi was 90% as good but that was with 80ohm headphones which the xfi could drive easily.