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Have you used the X-Fi Prelude before, obobskivich? I've been considering getting a DAC for a while but I always see people taking hard stances on either external DACs or soundcards, and haven't seen a fair comparison between the Prelude (or soundcards in general) and some DACs.

There is always the option of an external 'soundcard' connected to your computer via firewire or USB2.

Just as an example (seeing as it is what I am using), something like the Focusrite Saffire. These are intended for audio production, and give you a pretty great bang for buck in audio quality. Clean balanced sound, very transparent. The saffire actually has built in headphone amps with separate knobs for two HPs which connect to its quarter inch inputs. Of course, top of the line dedicated amps may well give you better performance, but it all depends on how much you wish to spend overall - and you certainly won't be lacking for volume with the built in amps of the saffire.

As I said, I use the saffire as an example, there are many others out there that will give you the same feature set if you do your research. I was drawn to this particular unit as it is made by Focusrite whose specialty is pro recording gear.

I recommend the Mhdt Labs Havana



Or a Paradisea 3

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Thanks for the suggestions. I notice these all have headphone amps included in the soundcard. Isn't his redundant because I already have the amp?

Not really most headphone amps in soundcards aren't anything special. If you've got a decent rig I'd use a dedicated headphone amp.

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right, so perhaps i should choose a cheaper soundcard since I dont need the soundcard's headphone amp?

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The cards that have headphone amplifiers will also have normal line level outputs so you can use your own headphone amplifier, since you already have one of these.

would this be appropriate?

NCIX.com - Buy HT Omega Claro 7.1 Channel PCI Sound Card 24BIT DTS Dolby Digital Live S/PDIF IN/OUT Coaxial - CLARO In Canada.

or even this?
NCIX.com - Buy HT Omega Striker 7.1 Channel PCI Sound Card 24BIT DTS Dolby Digital Live S/PDIF IN/OUT Coaxial - STRIKER_7.1 In Canada.

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I don't know why we need to endure all the sniveling and moaning about sound cards. If its for music and price isn't an issue then an external dac is what you want. Buy the best one you can afford. The models I listed in my last post range from good to great. Personally if it were me, I would get the Ultra Micro dac to match your amp, it has a plethora of inputs and will stack nicely with your amp and has a reputation for being dynamic, detailed, and slightly warm. The Ultra Micro is 600 bucks and anyone who says a sound card at 600 or less is going to sound just as good or better is full of **** and feeding you bad advice.

Like I said before, a sound card, even one nicer than your on-board device, is a lateral move if sound quality is most important. If you don't believe me then maybe you need to do some more reading outside of this thread because there are some very confused individuals posting in your thread.

Have you reviewed the specifications of the DAC's you suggested?

The Ultra Micro DAC is using the CS4398 from Cirrus, That DAC chips is spec'd for about a 120DB SNR...Not a chance as nominal values will at best hit about 117dB.
This DAC has been used in many cards from The Elite pro from Creative Labs to the $80 Xonar DX.
There are other specifications also but you get the idea.

Considering you can buy soundcards today that easily exceed these values a unit your suggesting for $600, I think the OP may want to consider something else.
Unless you think the extra money is worth it for the small plastic box and powersupply.
There is nothing wrong with external units but don't just blindly think they kill every soundcard out there.

Something to look in on from time to time. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/dac...7/#post5558836

I'm not taking sides here, but specs don't account for everything.

What about design?

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What specs are you referring to. I would also like to know why you would think for one second that a sound card (you have named none) would have a better analog output section than the Ultra Micro??? What the hell good is it to speak of what D/A chip they use if one obviously has an inferior analog output section??? You guys are leading the OP down the wrong path so you can spew techno babble that you don't fully understand??? What? The OP has said, it is 100 percent for music, price is not an issue, and sound quality is most important. Yet you moan about paying more for plastic enclosures!!! Just because some of you don't have an external Dac doesn't mean that is the correct decision for everyone. Its always the guy with the Chevy saying how his car is just as good as the neighbor's Cadillac and how the neighbor wasted his money. Great criteria for passing out advice.

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I absolutely believe you. This sort of discussion is exactly what I was hoping to hear and it is great to hear both sides of the argument.

I really appreciate your advice

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Apparently having a Class A output section and a dual mono power section doesn't mean anything as long as the Dac chip is the same, or some such non-sense.