Sound card for new system

Pete Tong · 19 Jun 2024 at 17:43

Does the quality of sound card make any difference when using an amp and bookshelf speakers? I using an Asus xonar dgx with a Cambridge audio axr85 and a pair if Wharfedale evo 4.2s.

hornetstinger · 19 Jun 2024 at 21:13

Will you be using digital out or analogue out?

Pete Tong · 20 Jun 2024 at 00:55

Currently using a 3.5mm to rca cable. Is there a better way to do it?

Gray2233 · 20 Jun 2024 at 01:01

Pete Tong said:
Currently using a 3.5mm to rca cable. Is there a better way to do it?

It depends on the hardware.

The DG/X is bordering on ancient at this point and was a budget card on launch, you'd probably have a better experience with just about any onboard audio solution of the past 5 years if not more. That's assuming you don't get noise/static from it anyway, you might be better off with a third party DAC but it's one of the most overrated parts of the audio chain for 99% of users in my opinion. See how you get on with your new computers onboard, if you feel it's not delivering there's some external solutions that might be worth looking at. Just don't let anyone convince you that you need to spend hundreds on something you don't need, outside of cables the DAC segment is the most snake oil riddled point in the chain for most people.