Xonar DG - ultimate budget headphone card?

Uriel · 13 Jan 2011 at 14:19

Something fishy with this echo business.

Dolby Virtual speaker still enabled perhaps?

Reverb does sound a little different with Xonar, and perhaps less natural, than EAX games running on X-Fi.

Uriel · 13 Jan 2011 at 14:25

Try turning off GX mode and disabling EAX in game if available. Enable Hi-Fi mode to ensure all DSPs are diabled. Does that sound different?

Uriel · 14 Jan 2011 at 12:53

A bit of reading around indicates that Xonar cards have delay applied to the centre and rear channels by default, hence the echo that's noticeable for 5.1 headphones.

I don't know if it can be adjusted or disabled in the standard drivers but these modified drivers are supposed to disable it: http://brainbit.wordpress.com/category/uni-xonar/

I think that might sort out the issue that people have been complaining about.

Edit: The HDAV's drivers have a Speaker Delay Setup feature. I don't remember having this on my D2 so I imagine some other Xonars would be the same. If it's there, you will want all delays set to zero (feet or metres, depending on drivers) for 5.1 headphones.

Uriel · 17 Jan 2011 at 23:48

Dreaming11 said:
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.

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.

Uriel · 18 Jan 2011 at 21:52

Dreaming11 said:
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.