Onboard via 2021 or a xonar dg?

SkeeterUK

SkeeterUK

SkeeterUK

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Which is best? Keeping in mind the via 2021 is one of it not the best via do for onboard sound solutions.

I only use my sen 558s.

I did try a dg last year but didnt like it much but that was mainly compared to the audigy 2 zs which i have broke about 6 months ago. So got a new build, using its onboard and it doesnt sound bad imo.

I want it for music and gaming 2nd. I love my music on spotify and foobar 2000 with flacs.

Tbh if i could find a soundcard that improved the quality i.e hear things u cant usually, and more clearly seperated stuff in songs then id be more than willing to spend up to 40-50 quid on a sound card but i dunno which one. It has to be good for a headphone user tho not speakers. I really wish the essence st was more affordable as that sounds like the perfect headphone soundcard for me but its far too overpriced imo.

Or shall i just stick to the onboard as its suppose to be the best one via do.
 
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The Xonar DG has a headphone amp which will help your Senn's sound better. There is nothing the 40-50 quid range which would be better. Unless you want to try and get an external amp/dac but not sure they will help your headphones more than the DG will.
 
I placed a order for the DG but im curious, would the Xonar D1 be better or not. I dont think i need the amp if all it does is boost the volume as im using my headphones on onboard and if cranked up in foobar and windows its really really loud.

Should i stop the order before its shipped as it says its in warehouse que and get the d1 instead, would it be much better than the dg sound wise like dac on it and the processor and components like caps which all help sound quality im guessing. Or just get the dg. I dont mind paying for the D1 if its a lot better and i will defo notice even tho my ears arnt too good especially my right ear. But i do want quality to come out of my senn 558s at a mid to highish volume.
 
A headphone amp doesn't just increase loudness. Turning up the volume on the onboard audio was, more than likely, distorting the sound and hiding those extra details you want to hear.

A headphone amp increases the quality of the signal to your headphones. It allows you to listen to music at lower volumes and still hear all the details, or you can crank up the volume without worrying about distortion.

If you are mainly using headphones than I think you made the right choice over the D1.
 
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