Plugging Aego M and headset into Xonar d1

jubei

jubei

jubei

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Joined
3 Apr 2003
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Hi Guys,

I have the gear in the subject and used to use a cheap switch (think it was plantronics) that would let me plug both the headphones and speakers into it as the soundcard only has the one port shared for headphones/speakers. This switch has gone dodgy and i keep losing the sound on the right side. The switch doesnt seem to be in stock any more though i can see what look like alternatives.

My question is:

Is there something else i could buy that might be an improvement for me that would still allow me to have headphones/speakers plugged in at the same time? I only have a hyperx headset at the moment since my 595s broke but i may buy a decent set of headphones again in the near future. I see people talk about DACs/amps etc would something like that be worthwhile getting? Looking to do something for sub 100 really.

Cheers
 
Hmm i think another option may just be to buy a different soundcard that has separate ports for headphones/speakers? Like a SB Z or essence?
 
http://www.richersounds.com/product/dacs/korg/ds-dac-100m/korg-ds-dac-100m

I own one, and it got a very good DAC chip and has both headphone 3.5mm out (with amp) and 3.5mm line-level out at the back (which can be used with speakers).

It supposed to be able to do Real time conversion for DSD, but I have not bother to work out how to get that to work yet, and have only been using it as a DAC.

There's one potential issue with the Korg 100m (could be just my particular unit, or may be not) is that it is quite sensitive to static electricity and can disconnect in windows and require unplugging and replugging for windows to pick it up again...it is possibly due to its metal casing, but it hasn't a problem for me anymore so long as I just ground myself (touch a radiator or something) before touch the unit.

Another thing to note is the stock USB cable is quite short. Even with theses minor "issues", it is a absolute cracking DAC at its current price!

Not sure if you have a Richer Sounds store nearby that still have stock.
 
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If you're not bothered about Dolby Headphone surround sound effect thing with headphones, then a DAC/amp would certainly be a good option. If you'd prefer to keep your sound card and Dolby Headphone though, then this will be the cheapest solution by far.

With a DAC though, they are for audio output only. For microphone use, you'd need to connect that to either sound card or motherboard's audio. You'd probably need an extension cable for the microphone jack if you're going to get a DAC, so it will reach OK; unless of course you don't use the microphone.

If you are interested in a DAC/amp, then that Korg which Marine linked to looks good value for £50, if you've got a local RS store with stock. They are currently £140 on the jungle site, so that's quite a saving.

If you haven't got a local RS store with stock, then FiiO E10K is a very good DAC/amp for £60 or so.
 
PapaLazaru said:
I was going to buy on of those Korg DACs, even when they were £100 but was put off by their software. How is it?
Click to expand...
Yes I remember having a conversation with you at the time, as we were both on the fence thinking if we should buy it or not, and there wasn't much to go on other than users feedback etc.

I eventually picked one up when it appeared on one of the weekly deal with it at £69.99 for VIP member. The minor issues are as I have already explained in my post above, and as for audio quality, I think it is slightly better than my STX...or at the very least on par with it.

As I said I still haven't bothered to look into how to get the Real time conversion for DSD on the AudioGate 4 software (have tried once to get it to work, but failed), but even without that feature, I would say for the price it is a great DAC. At the current price of £50, it's an absolute steal!

If you don't already have a decent DAC or have money to spare for a new toy, for £50 it's definitely worth it.
 
Any headphone amp that can act as a pre amp will do I think.
Anything with rca outs or coax out > speaker inputs and sound card to headphone amp

The way I see it the korg is just an external soundcard ? (correct me If I am wrong?) does the korg function as a standalone headphone amp just connected to the wall plug for example ? it probably isn't as good as the external creative and asus offerings with potential non existent future driver OS support if it cannot function properly without drivers on an OS.

Korg looks a good buy though if only to sell it on later for more or not even lose any money on it.

It all gets so confusing when one adds in dolby headphone.

Like that SMSL SD793-II headphone amp (£45) with optical and coax in and rca out (to connect to aego box) I think if you ran optical from soundcard to the amp you'd have to set the software to stereo mode and not 6 or 8 channel.

I am looking for a solution so I can have 8 channel > amp > headphones and retaining dolby headphone
 
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Well I took marsmans advice and grabbed a cheap splitter for now until I clue myself up more. Working a treat cheers
 
jubei said:
Well I took marsmans advice and grabbed a cheap splitter for now until I clue myself up more. Working a treat cheers
Click to expand...

Yea but splitters dilute the signal it's pretty easy all you need is headphone amp that has rca left right out

soundcard goes to amp via analogue or optical/spdif/coax

rca out on amp goes to aego m
 
What I linked is a switcher not a splitter. It's a decent enough cheap short term solution until the OP decides what he wants to do.
 
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