Would I benefit from a sound card?

savagesam117 · 18 Sep 2015 at 17:08

I've been looking at sound cards recently, despite me thinking that it'll make my PC look ugly i'm trying to convince myself that it's a good idea to get one.

I've currently got some Cerwin Vega floor standing speakers powered by a Denon AMP which is then plugged into my PC via a regular 3.5mm jack on the motherboard.
I am looking to get some Monitors soon but need to drive somewhere to try some out, and i just haven't got the time for that at the moment.

What would i get out of adding a sound card? I'm not really sure how it works in all honesty.

PapaLazaru · 18 Sep 2015 at 17:17

You have good speakers and good amp, it makes perfect sense to increase the quality of the source. Motherboard audio chips, whilst a lot better than they used to be cannot hold a candle to a decent soundcard, though an external solution may be better for you. RCA outputs should also be a consideration over a 3.5mm jack.

savagesam117 · 18 Sep 2015 at 17:22

Well it's RCA to 3.5 at the moment as that's all i've got on the Mobo.

Is there any you recommend? Without spending a load of money.

PapaLazaru · 18 Sep 2015 at 17:23

How much?

something daft already!! · 18 Sep 2015 at 17:23

I was very impressed with the difference in quality when I moved from onboard sound.

savagesam117 · 18 Sep 2015 at 17:26

I don't really know? They seem to vary in price so much.

Say max of £70? but a lower priced one in there too?

rids57 · 18 Sep 2015 at 23:40

If all you need is stereo line output for feeding an amp or monitors, then an external DAC like the Schiit Modi 2 or Epiphany EDAC would be perfect.

TwsT · 19 Sep 2015 at 09:53

rids57 said:
If all you need is stereo line output for feeding an amp or monitors, then an external DAC like the Schiit Modi 2 or Epiphany EDAC would be perfect.

not much point recomending Epiphany

he's not posted a tweet since may which is also when i got my last order.

he's not replying to phone calls or emails and other people have had problems with direct contact such a shame.

Ash0787 · 19 Sep 2015 at 12:50

unless your pc is absolutely top class like build into a desk with £1000 of watercooling fittings and dyed nano fluid it probably wont make it look any worse, have you seen the asus cards with the tiger on ? they look really nice. some people dont like gold coloured components though, its not the only sound card though, asus also do a black and red one.

savagesam117 · 21 Sep 2015 at 18:09

That's alright as the Epiphany one is ugly!

Doesn't matter if it's got £1000's fittings, I have my case on my desk and can see into it so, being able to see the sound card would ruin the look a bit. Unless it was half height as i could hide it under my GFX card.

So what would you guys recommend?

And what is a DAC? I know it being a digital to analog converter but how do they make it sound any better? Is the amplification process enhanced or something? I'm a bit confused!

PapaLazaru · 21 Sep 2015 at 19:59

savagesam117 said:
And what is a DAC? I know it being a digital to analog converter but how do they make it sound any better? Is the amplification process enhanced or something? I'm a bit confused!

Quite simply, a DAC is what a soundcard is, but an external solution. Soundcards are also DAC's but called soundcards as they always have been. They all convert digital signals to audio. CD players all have them as well as a CD is digital. You get what you pay for in most respects.

Anyway, I have an Arcam rPAC and I think it is an excellent piece of kit for £100.00.

savagesam117 · 21 Sep 2015 at 21:15

Hmm.. Okay. Well I'm definitely going to get one. It's just now doing a bit more research into what one I'm going to get.