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USB DAC (balanced output + headphone amp) and equalizer for headphones AND speakers

post #1 of 5
4/22/11 at 4:00am
Thread Starter 

I'm in the look for a USB DAC with balanced output and quality headphone amp. On top of that, I need to use a software equalizer to tune the output.

 

Right now I'm using an Asus Xonar Essence STX, Genelec 8030 active speakers and as headphones the fantastic Ultrasone Pro 900. The Xonar of course doesn't have a balanced output, just RCA. The headphone output is just fine, but I like to use my Genelecs too.
The trouble is, that there is frequently annoying snapping when listening through the Genelecs. I presume that this is because of the unbalanced output and cables and/or the fact that the graphcis card is right next to the Xonar card (1-2mm distance) and it gets relatively hot at times. The genelecs have a balanced XLR input. There is no space on the motherboard for a different setup between the cards.

 

Mainly to reduce the interference, I've been thinking of getting an external USB DAC to replace the Xonar PCI-e card. However, I do need an equalizer, because I wan't to adjust the sound in a different way to my headphones and speakers, which are naturally totally different animals and also for different type of music and movie sound. The Xonar software has a handy equalizer with presets and I'd like to use something similar with the USB DAC, but how?

 

So, what do you recommend as USB DAC (under 400$/€), with balanced output (no matter if it's XLR or 1/4" plug, I can always get suitable cables) headphone amp and as software equalizer?


Note: I don't like to loose my patience fighting with software combatibility, so it would be great it the system is easily compatible with system sound output (win7), VLC for videos and Winamp for music.

 

Appreciate any help / information!

 


Edited by arn - 4/22/11 at 4:10am
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post #2 of 5
4/22/11 at 4:23am

Part of your question is simple to answer.

Almost all USB DACs use native mode USB drivers.

As a consequence almost nothing to configure and certainly no EQ.

EQ should be done with the media player.

 

Maybe a PCI-riser (http://www.logicsupply.com/products/pci101_flex) will help.

 

A couple of USB DACs can be found here: http://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/USB_DAC_Async.htm 

 

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post #3 of 5
4/22/11 at 5:33am
Quick note about the PCI-riser and the STX; I went down this road a few months back and found that the cable is not noise isolated or grounded properly and will generate a ridiculous amount of digital noise when playing games as well as frequent hissing and pops when you mouse over windows or play games. It is not made for audio at all, it is made for 1U sized rackmount servers and their raid cards where such noise will not affect its performance. Avoid this route and go Toslink out your mobo into a DAC. Just my .02$.
Edited by sulvaat - 4/22/11 at 5:37am
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post #4 of 5
4/22/11 at 6:34am
Thread Starter 

Thanks. I think I'll sell my PCI-e slot STX and get a PCI slot ST model instead, which would give me the possibility of moving the card much further from the graphics card.

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post #5 of 5
5/1/11 at 11:56am
Thread Starter 

To get back on this subject, I realised that I can put the x1 card to an x16 slot and I did so. I was thus able to move the sound card much further away from the graphics card and I'm now getting zero interference/pops/snaps. Everything is working beautifully :) Switching to the PCI card would have given be an extra inch of distance from the graphics card, but that isn't neccessary.

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