Xonar DG - ultimate budget headphone card?
- Thread starter Uriel
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If you've got some decent stereo headphones then yep I'm sure this is an awesome soundcard but if you're planning to use it with a set of 5.1 headphones (the real type with multiple drivers) or 5.1 speakers I'd look elsewhere.
I use a 5.1 setup for gaming through my DG, and it sounds fantastic to me once I set up the speakers correctly. I use the UNi drivers though which remove the delay between the speakers as mentioned above by Uriel, you really should try these drivers as they do work a treat. I don't think this is so much a card issue as it is a driver issue (no surprise there)!
What option did you use to remove the delay? The low latency option or do the drivers just remove the delay automatically?
They're removed on all options apparently, although I use the C-Media panel personally so that might have something to do with it. It's worth noting that there is no options to change the amp settings in the C-Media panel.
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I have a creative fatal1ty gaming headset (the 35 quidish one) and on board msi gd 65 mobo soundcard. would i see a MASSIVE improvement in sound quality?
What for one is massive may be marginal for someone else.
Saying that, I've had the exact same setup as you, went with Xonar DG and experienced massive improvement (and as soon as I had a little more spare cash, I decided that headphones will be my next upgrade).
Can anyone with this sound card test it in a game such as Counter Strike 1.6? or old HL1 games? i've just heard some people complain they cannot hear footsteps on newer sound cards thats all, so i'd rather find out first if the sound is accurate in older games such as that? many thanks to whoever can help 
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Hey guys, I've got a Xonar DG and have had for a while now - awesome card. My headphones broke so I'm looking for something to upgrade to, and from this forum overwhelmingly the general consensus is go with NS1000 with Fiio E5 amp.
However I am also considering the HA-RX900 since it is very similar to the fantastic Audio Technica AD700, but for a price very similar to the NS1000. As a headphone powered straight off an amp with music for example, I think it would surpass the Goldrings.
However my impression seems to be that the DG (Dolby Headphone) + NS1000 (or DG150 too? I'm not sure if there are performance differences or if its just the noise cancellation) + E5 hits the magical sweet-spot for sound on the PC, despite perhaps the individual headphones not being quite as good as others. Would others agree with this? I have trawled the internet for reviews and comparisons but a lot of them date back to 2008 and early 2009... which isn't to say they're invalid, but it always pays to be up to date. The most recent discussion of the goldrings is right here on OCUK so hopefully you guys are in the loop!
For the record, coming from Steelseries 5H|V2, which just broke on me
(still picks up some sound channels for example the background music, but not others for example speech, maybe loose wires, but nevermind).
However I am also considering the HA-RX900 since it is very similar to the fantastic Audio Technica AD700, but for a price very similar to the NS1000. As a headphone powered straight off an amp with music for example, I think it would surpass the Goldrings.
However my impression seems to be that the DG (Dolby Headphone) + NS1000 (or DG150 too? I'm not sure if there are performance differences or if its just the noise cancellation) + E5 hits the magical sweet-spot for sound on the PC, despite perhaps the individual headphones not being quite as good as others. Would others agree with this? I have trawled the internet for reviews and comparisons but a lot of them date back to 2008 and early 2009... which isn't to say they're invalid, but it always pays to be up to date. The most recent discussion of the goldrings is right here on OCUK so hopefully you guys are in the loop!
For the record, coming from Steelseries 5H|V2, which just broke on me
(still picks up some sound channels for example the background music, but not others for example speech, maybe loose wires, but nevermind).
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Thanks a lot ^^
can i just ask, did you see more of an improvement in gaming or music or just overall?
I used to own JVC HA-RX700s (the RX900s very similar and not necessarily inferior sibling) and the NS1000s were far better, especially with Dolby Headphone. Also owned Audio-Technica A900s. The NS1000s weren't as good as the latter for pure stereo but they handle Dolby Headphone better. Still - have you seen how much the A900s cost? The NS1000s are very close.
How is the EAX support on Windows 7 on Asus Soundcards anyway? I know it's not real EAX but I play a lot of Directsound 3D games so Alchemy would be hugely important to me, otherwise the audio is all over the place, but how does Asus handle it? does anyone play any older games to be able to try it or has anyone tried it? thank you for the help
Can anyone with this sound card test it in a game such as Counter Strike 1.6? or old HL1 games? i've just heard some people complain they cannot hear footsteps on newer sound cards thats all, so i'd rather find out first if the sound is accurate in older games such as that? many thanks to whoever can help
I have the xonar D1, not only can i hear footsteps from a mile away (literally stand double stack in CT on D2 and track a player walking from A site on D2 to jumping off short and through DD at mid).
I could also hear you fart and know where you are
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Thankyou very much Uriel, I've gone out and bought the NS1000 and the E5 now, should be here this week! I can always return them under DSR if they are bad, but I sincerely doubt that would be the case given the glowing feedback they've received here.
Am I correct in thinking most people's preferred configuration is:
- NS1000 ANR switched off
- E5 amp switched on to drive the bass
- Xonar DG with DH on for sound godliness
and personally I use Jazz EQ for some reason I don't know but I like it
.I have the xonar D1, not only can i hear footsteps from a mile away (literally stand double stack in CT on D2 and track a player walking from A site on D2 to jumping off short and through DD at mid).
I could also hear you fart and know where you are
Ahh thank you
are you on Windows 7 though? if you are then great! then I know that the Asus would be perfect for what I need, but at least I know the card is super accurate, thank you for the help ;DOverall improvement, mainly due to the amp and Dolby Headphones.
just installed the card, latest drivers from asus, world away from the onboard sound! (ALC1200)
music, sounds just a bit sharper, alanis morissette's sing, uninvited ( flac) sounds brill, listened to both onboard and then to the DG, easy to hear the difference
gaming ( mw2) seems crisper, but nothing to shout about, will try CSS later!
music, sounds just a bit sharper, alanis morissette's sing, uninvited ( flac) sounds brill, listened to both onboard and then to the DG, easy to hear the difference
gaming ( mw2) seems crisper, but nothing to shout about, will try CSS later!
Thankyou very much Uriel, I've gone out and bought the NS1000 and the E5 now, should be here this week! I can always return them under DSR if they are bad, but I sincerely doubt that would be the case given the glowing feedback they've received here.
Am I correct in thinking most people's preferred configuration is:
- NS1000 ANR switched off
- E5 amp switched on to drive the bass
- Xonar DG with DH on for sound godliness
and personally I use Jazz EQ for some reason I don't know but I like it
It's an option. I prefer ANR on but I do like the e5 with NS1000s in passive mode.
I tend to use a flat EQ.
