Discrete Sound Cards; Is there really a difference? - Page 3

I guess my post was kind of ******-y, but the point of it was not to offend, but that DAC's can't make a difference as big a headphone upgrade. If you weren't happy with a headphone upgrade like that, you won't be happy with a DAC upgrade either. Don't bother. I like my sound card. It sounds a bit cleaner and more expansive than my laptop's sound, but it's not night and day. 

 

EDIT: That was censored? Really Head-Fi? 

It is significantly better objectively, but it may not always be audibly better. It depends on your specific motherboard, other components in the computer, the distortion and noise already inherent in your source files and the recording, and the listening conditions in your room.

 

This is unlike headphone upgrades, which often have differences magnitudes greater than the difference between good DACs. You'll usually hear the differences immediately there, whether you like them or not.

Edited by Head Injury - 10/2/11 at 3:45pm

I wonder if this poster's favourite piece of music is Grieg from Peer Gynt "In the Hall of the Mountain King"?

 

Hi I would like to bring my 2 cents. People don't understand what you listen to system starting from music and ending you ears and brain. If something isn't up to speed you listen the weakest link.

I share my experience. I got monsoon computer speakers what some people raving about. I got them from ebay to listen to internet radio. It was nothing to be exited about. Plain junk. So a week ago I get cheap chinese wm8740 dac ($45) and reuse 9vac adapter laying around. It make major difference in my case. No fancy staff like cables, caps etc. I actually enjoy listen to radio now. In no way it's hi end equipment.

With HD650 or HD600 you really cut yourself short. It's a wonderful set of phones. With decent music and source I had to change IC cables to receive satisfactory results. It's not one size fit all. Actually some people prefer colored sound.

I share my experience to make you life more enjoyable. If you got bad experience take a lesson from from it.

Vlad

 

Your systems starts with your media and source component. If that is lacking then your entire system will also be lacking.
That is true of any link in the chain though:)

 

I assume that ^ is using bit-perfect playback at the least cus I found peeps with auzentech fortes not using bit perfect playback solutions. BTW why the hell you need to find FLAC if you can already rip it from your cd? =3

Some downloads are actually lossless files recompressed to FLAC. Remember, it's the Internet. You're only really certain with your own rips.

I also don't get why you would be using vinyl rips for gear comparison. (You mentioned them in an earlier post.) Yeah, the dynamic range is great for listening, but the high inherent noise floor will mask many differences between DACs.

Two cents from here: The Realtek 887 on my motherboard is probably good enough for most people. The difference when switching down from the Essence ST is pretty obvious (mostly small details disappearing), but everything still is detailed enough, and there is no audible noise at any sane listening level.

Well, yes and no...ages ago, moonboy told me that he'd prefer a crappy phone off a killer source than the opposite....now that I own serious sources, I tend to understand and somewhat agree. A killer source will project an astounding 3D soundstage that even a cheapie will benefit from, OTOH a crappy source will never allow an expensive phone to blossom(HD800 off a Realtek for instance ).

I think you do need something good for a high end headphone, but really, source first is crazy. 

 

At the risk of sounding like typical audiophile - you need to spend a lot of time with them to appreciate the HD 650's. They are an acquired taste and require a bit of "brain burn-in" at least.

 

Beats and Bose are ripoffs, Sennheisers are not. Don't go bashing a high end headphone you listened to once because you didn't like them. 

 

"You can bash me all you like, make up stuff that you think I listen too, or whatever" 

 

^what does this mean? 

 

 

 

It's true on my HTPC rig I compared my motherboard vs. the STX.

Most of my headphones are easily driven under 100 ohms - it gets way too loud just with the motherboard.

 

It's pretty brash of you to say people are blown away because it gets loud lol - you clearly do not give enough credit to the people here.

I didn't write any reviews on the STX. I'm just personally happy with the product and I do not feel the need to try to justify myself nor try to influence others because I am happy with it.

You wanted advice so I gave you my opinion.

If you are really that paranoid and skeptical of gear - just stop reading and actually listen to them before you buy or else every post - you can fall back on that "oh you just think it's good but it may still be crap" attitude.

 

 

I'll straight up admit that my ears are pretty bad. All those years with the etymotics and being in the marching band took a toll on my ability to hear high frequencies.
However, I've tried/owned several headphones, Shure SE530, DT770, HD650, HD555, HD280, MDR-V6. The differences between each of the brands and models are ENORMOUS. Even between two incredibly high end headphones there is a massive difference. You would think that there would be some kind of a reference sound, given how much focus is put on getting the source perfect. But it's all sound signature. So even if the soundcard does provide some difference, it's minimal. Whereas if that money spent on the soundcard was spent on the headphones, the difference would far outweigh any advantages a soundcard would provide. 

I agree with the 1/10 or 1/5 soundcard to headphone budget ratio often stated.