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| Computer Audio Discussion of computers as source components, sound cards, USB DACs, media servers, etc. |
12-31-2007, 10:24 PM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 8
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Better source upgrade AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude vs E-MU 0404?
I have a X-Fi XtremeMusic right now and would like to get a nice upgrade for my sound quality. So which one would I be most happy with? I won't do any producing/creation of music at all so I doubt I'll ever use the inputs. I won't be using the Prelude for surround sound either, just headphones.
I don't have a DAC or AMP. I have Senn 595s.
Which one would I be more satisfied with? Should I keep my XtremeMusic and get an amp instead? I don't want any of those Chinese amps though and only have about $250 w/ shipping available to spend.
Please help me out. I've probably spent over 30 hours in the last few weeks reading stuff on Head-Fi and I'm no where closer to making a decision on how upgrade my sound.
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12-31-2007, 10:42 PM
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Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 43
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I' don't have either of those sources so I can't be of much help, but I can say this. I've spent a few months around here and haven't been able to decide what to get next 
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01-01-2008, 12:34 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Jüri, Estonia
Posts: 171
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I went from Xtrememusic to the Prelude and the improvement in sound quality was quite noticeable. Mostly there is more impact and clarity, slightly tighter bass and less harsh highs. No night and day difference but a step up nevertheless.
If you, like me, are both into gaming and audiophile quality audio, get the Prelude.
I haven't heard the EMU0404 so I can't really comment on that.
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01-01-2008, 05:56 AM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 8
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Hmm thanks for the input Sander. I'm also looking at the Ibasso D1 but that is starting to get up there in price.
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01-01-2008, 08:51 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 977
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The emu0404 usb sounds slightly better than the auzentech prelude. The 0404 pci sounds worse.
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01-02-2008, 12:31 AM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 8
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I went ahead and ordered the usb 0404. Thanks for all the input dudes. I hope I'm satisfied.
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01-02-2008, 05:08 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,509
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You will be. 
Just note that the 0404 USB suffers from the same issue as other USB audio interfaces: only one program can play back sound at a time. You can avoid this by using your X-Fi's digital output instead of hooking up the 0404 USB via USB.
__________________
Team Value-Fi.
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01-02-2008, 05:02 PM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 26
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Hi, I'm in the same situation as well. I'm wondering which of the following is a better setup:
Prelude->Amp->HD600
Emu404->no amp->HD600
Emu404->amp->HD600
I really don't think that buying Prelude AND Emu404 is an option, since I play games and listen to music. I would rather not have to unplug my headphones every time I do something different.
An additional question, are hi-fi headphones good for gaming? As in, do they create realistic surround sound or are speakers necessary?
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01-02-2008, 06:27 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: England
Posts: 569
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alphataru
Hi, I'm in the same situation as well. I'm wondering which of the following is a better setup:
Prelude->Amp->HD600
Emu404->no amp->HD600
Emu404->amp->HD600
I really don't think that buying Prelude AND Emu404 is an option, since I play games and listen to music. I would rather not have to unplug my headphones every time I do something different.
An additional question, are hi-fi headphones good for gaming? As in, do they create realistic surround sound or are speakers necessary?
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I find headphones a lot better for gaming. But I've never had good speakers (best I've had is Creative Inspire T6100; which are crap). When I had Audio Technica AD700's they were perfect because the soundstage was huge and were extremely comfortable.
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01-03-2008, 05:38 AM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by infinitesymphony
You will be.
Just note that the 0404 USB suffers from the same issue as other USB audio interfaces: only one program can play back sound at a time. You can avoid this by using your X-Fi's digital output instead of hooking up the 0404 USB via USB. |
If you get the time could you help me by showing what type of cable I'll need to get to do that? I saw some connectors that are optical to 3.5mm is that what I'm looking for and then just a normal digital out cable?
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01-03-2008, 09:09 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,509
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Poefx
If you get the time could you help me by showing what type of cable I'll need to get to do that? I saw some connectors that are optical to 3.5mm is that what I'm looking for and then just a normal digital out cable?
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You'll need a 3.5mm mini-S/PDIF to RCA cable--this is coaxial, not optical. You have a few options:
Pre-built from a place like RAM Electronics
Regular RCA-RCA cable plus an adapter
The pre-built solution is better because there are less connections, but it's also a bit more expensive.
alphataru, the choice is really up to you. If you play system-intensive games, it's best to go with an internal sound card. It will depend on the quality of the external amp you plan to buy whether or not it will be better than plugging straight into the card/interface.
__________________
Team Value-Fi.
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01-11-2008, 10:52 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by infinitesymphony
You will be.
Just note that the 0404 USB suffers from the same issue as other USB audio interfaces: only one program can play back sound at a time. You can avoid this by using your X-Fi's digital output instead of hooking up the 0404 USB via USB. |
What exactly do you mean by this? Like I can't listen to music and play a game?(listening to the gunshots or ingame sounds or whatever). I know I could play the game but could I play the game with sounds and music or what?
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01-11-2008, 11:20 PM
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Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 47
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No, you can only play from a source at a time. For example you can't listen to your music through foobar and hear the sound from a youtube video at the same time, afaik.
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01-11-2008, 11:44 PM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 26
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I never heard of this limitation. USB sound card reviews don't comment this. I planned to buy the EDIROL UA-1EX USB sound card but after reading this I'm reconsidering my decission. Probably I will end up buying an Audigy 2 ZS Notebook instead.
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01-12-2008, 01:30 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,509
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moomooemu
What exactly do you mean by this? Like I can't listen to music and play a game?(listening to the gunshots or ingame sounds or whatever). I know I could play the game but could I play the game with sounds and music or what?
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The game itself counts as one program, so it would work. However, you couldn't play your own music in the background or something like that. I've gamed with the 0404 USB and it has worked fairly well.
Yeah, it's one of those things about USB that most people don't talk about because one program at a time is usually enough for playback.
__________________
Team Value-Fi.
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