USB Dac for gaming??

BS Dave

BS Dave

BS Dave

Soldato
Joined
19 Oct 2004
Posts
4,453
Location
London
I’ve been thinking about getting either the Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS v2 when it’s next on offer or the dragonfly black v1.5.

I run a pair of sennheiser GAME zeros but am a bit worried about latency for games FPS in particular. Has anyone had an experience of either? I’m leaning towards the dragonfly as I can easily use it with my iPhone 6s unless I can find the dacmagic on special. Thoughts?
 
The Dragonfly is the better device

There won't be any latency as there is no DSP, both devices are pure stereo DAC/amps so there won't be any virtual surround.
 
BS Dave said:
I run a pair of sennheiser GAME zeros but am a bit worried about latency for games FPS in particular. Has anyone had an experience of either? I’m leaning towards the dragonfly as I can easily use it with my iPhone 6s unless I can find the dacmagic on special. Thoughts?
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If you're worried about getting best possible sound to help in gaming then you should be looking for binaural simulation.
Though as GAME Zero is closed design it might have lacking binaural sound stage.

First minute of this is excellent quick test for headphones with gun shots at different directions and distances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1_20T8x_OI
With good headpohones feel of distance is clear and there's also distance separation...
Instead of some sounds just being more muffled than others.
Here's long gameplay.
https://youtu.be/B8xZp0WPwxs?t=13m7s
 
yeah i think i'm going to drop by the shop in holborn this afternoon.

Edit - all installed. A couple of mins of BF1 and the sound does appear richer. I’ve set it to 24bit/192khz - there’s no reason it shouldn’t be as high as possible or is there??
 
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i had both dragonflys, upgraded to the Apogee Groove and it blows over the dragonfly, the sound is so different, I thought the dragon fly was good until i heard the Apogee, like listening to a poor muddy mobo sounding crap, but the Apogee sounds open air, wide crisp bass with the detail is astonishing, mind you though its double the price, well nearly, its professional studio dac thats intended for audiophiles with high end headphones.
 
I'm wondering if I need a DAC/amp. I have a rampage formula IV and want new headphones...like the hd 598s or game one.
 
hobib_ali said:
i had both dragonflys, upgraded to the Apogee Groove and it blows over the dragonfly, the sound is so different, I thought the dragon fly was good until i heard the Apogee, like listening to a poor muddy mobo sounding crap, but the Apogee sounds open air, wide crisp bass with the detail is astonishing, mind you though its double the price, well nearly, its professional studio dac thats intended for audiophiles with high end headphones.
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Similar journey, upgraded to Audiolab MDAC, solely using it as a headamp and it blows everything out of the water. Sounds so nice (with Sennheiser 595s and Grado SR325e)
 
PapaLazaru said:
Both easy to drive so I would be amazed if there was any difference. See the 598SR's are on offer again, good price.
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Yeah was thinking 598s with modmic striaght into mobo.

My 2012 razer carchias are tatty and the mic is terrible now. Have to have it iny mouth to work.
 
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