Which USB sound card/DAC to replace my Sound Blaster X7?

[Timber]

Thanks, I must have had them on as SBX was always lit up on the X7.

OK, I suspect there is an element of having to 'un-train' your ears after a while of listening to those SBX software enhancements (as per the earlier poster's comments of getting used to it). From reviews it appears the D10S has a very transparent sound that could appear bland. But almost certainly a better DAC than the X7, particularly for music. Tbh on my old X7 (or even when I use the G6 now) I tended to only ever to adjust the surround for some PC games and switch all the other SBX adjustments off.

Im thinking if I got the Denon PMA600NE I could have the D10s from my pc - the call digit from the Mac mini and then just plug the headphones in to the Denon when I needed them.

I only use headphones for editing video - I use speakers 99% of the time.

Id wire it up so only optical was going from the d10s/calldigit into the Denon amp - so would this make all audio processing then be done by the Denon only? or is some still done in the D10s?

Is this what you would do ?

The big strength of the D10/D10S appears to be it can be used as a DAC for an AMP via RCA output. Or convert USB audio into digital out though SPDIF to be used on another DAC/AMP combo. So I assume in your scenario the Denon PMA600NE is doing the processing if it receives the optical input from the D10S. And the D10S is acting as a converter.

I'm not a big speaker user, but more of a headphone person so would defer to other's more informed opinion, i.e. recommendations on HiFi AMPs, which speakers etc. But your logic of using the Denon Hifi Amp with your KEF speakers makes sense.

 

[Combat squirrel]

The big strength of the D10/D10S appears to be it can be used as a DAC for an AMP via RCA output.

I think this is what im confused at - if I output from the D10s to an amp (currently 'cd in'), does the amp then PROCESS this information and change the sound again or does it purely just send the info to the speakers?

Id obviously want it to just send the signal to the speakers without any changes, but im not sure it is ?

 

[Timber]

I think this is what im confused at - if I output from the D10s to an amp (currently 'cd in'), does the amp then PROCESS this information and change the sound again or does it purely just send the info to the speakers?

Id obviously want it to just send the signal to the speakers without any changes, but im not sure it is ?

If I understand things correctly, the DENON PMA-600NE has a series of inputs called 'Audio In - CD' which are RCA inputs. If using those inputs the D10S would be converting the Digital Audio to Analogue and therefore doing the DAC part. Then the Denon would be the amplifier and also powering the speakers. I think a DAC always has the potential to 'flavour' the sound from a source. That said the D10S has been praised for being very neutral, clean and transparent. So you should have an upgraded set-up than the X7 with the ability to change each component if and when required.

At some point in the chain you'd need a DAC, an AMP and in your case power those passive Kef speakers.

As mentioned the D10S can also send a digital signal via SPDIF (Optical/COAX) then it is just doing the job of a converter, not changing the source sound in any way. In this scenario the device receiving the digital signal would have to do the DAC duties (i.e. the Denon PMA-600NE). That's why there's potentially a place for it with even more expensive DAC/AMPS setups where there is no USB input.

 

[Combat squirrel]

If I understand things correctly, the DENON PMA-600NE has a series of inputs called 'Audio In - CD' which are RCA inputs. If using those inputs the D10S would be converting the Digital Audio to Analogue and therefore doing the DAC part. Then the Denon would be the amplifier and also powering the speakers. I think a DAC always has the potential to 'flavour' the sound from a source. That said the D10S has been praised for being very neutral, clean and transparent. So you should have an upgraded set-up than the X7 with the ability to change each component if and when required.

At some point in the chain you'd need a DAC, an AMP and in your case power those passive Kef speakers.

As mentioned the D10S can also send a digital signal via SPDIF (Optical/COAX) then it is just doing the job of a converter, not changing the source sound in any way. In this scenario the device receiving the digital signal would have to do the DAC duties (i.e. the Denon PMA-600NE). That's why there's potentially a place for it with even more expensive DAC/AMPS setups where there is no USB input.

Ok great so were fairly confident the amp is not taking an analogue signal, then processing it into a different analogue signal then outputting ? just taking the input, amplifying it and putting it out to speakers?

I currently don't have the Denon amp but im going to order I think, right now I just have the Acoustic solutions - however an amp would solve a lot of issues using the speakers on 2 different computers for me, so ill go for it with that as well.

I appreciate you taking the time to bounce some ideas around and discuss it !

 

[PieEater]

The main job of an amplifier has always been to take an analogue signal from source and amplify the signal to power the speakers at the selected volume level, hence the name. If you want to 'process' the analogue signal this needs to be done by a graphic equalizer which is a separate piece of equipment, the amp is not intended to change the analogue signal in any other way than amplifying it.

If your source is digital instead of analogue then you need a DAC so the amp is presented with an analogue signal that it can work with.

Modern amps that accept a digital input like the Denon PMA-600NE have their own DAC if you check the product page you will see this is the case https://www.denon.com/shop/amplifier/PMA-600NE "Connect your TV, media player, computer or any digital source via the Optical and Coaxial digital inputs for an exceptional audio performance with the built-in DAC."

Very few Hifi amps will have a USB input though which is why you need something to act as a bridge that can accept the USB output from your computer and provide a compatible connection that can then be hooked up to the amps digital inputs.

The D10s can serve either as a DAC via the analogue RCA outputs or as a digital bridge via the digital outputs. If you get the Denon amp you could try both connection types as you may find the DAC used in the D10s better than the one in the Denon or you may not be able to tell the difference. In the scheme of things, speaker choice and placement, followed by amp choice will have more of a noticeable impact on your listening experience than the DAC you use.

 

[Timber]

Ok great so were fairly confident the amp is not taking an analogue signal, then processing it into a different analogue signal then outputting ? just taking the input, amplifying it and putting it out to speakers?

I currently don't have the Denon amp but im going to order I think, right now I just have the Acoustic solutions - however an amp would solve a lot of issues using the speakers on 2 different computers for me, so ill go for it with that as well.

I appreciate you taking the time to bounce some ideas around and discuss it !

No worries and good luck.

I think PieEater's response answers it well - particularly trying the D10S both as the bridge and DAC.

 

[JasonM]

speaker choice and placement, followed by amp choice will have more of a noticeable impact on your listening experience than the DAC you use.

This is why speaker stands and isolation foam is so important, alas people pay little attention to speaker setup.