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Which DAC should I plug into?

post #1 of 2
10/15/11 at 6:20am
Thread Starter 

 

Okay, so I just ordered my first set of decent headphones!  I went with the Senn 598 headphones & the Asus Xonar U3 for use in my new laptop.  

 

I got the U3 to process Dolby Headphone technology for use for games and surround sound for movies.

Xonar U3 Specs: http://www.asus.com/Multimedia/Audio_Cards/Xonar_U3/#specifications

 

Considering that I already have a set of old Edirol MA-10D digital monitors on my desk, I'm wondering if they would serve as a better DAC and Head Amp at least while I'm at the desk?  Will it help amp the 598s as much as the Xonar U3?

Specs: http://www.roland.com/products/en/MA-10D/specs.html & http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=441

 
I think that I can output from the U3 via a fiber optic cable the Dolby Headphone processed 2 channel stream into the Edirols and through the Edirol phones jack.  Given that the Edirol DAC is older (but better?) Would this give me better quality than just plugging the 598s directly into the U3?  For two channel Music, I assume that I should go from the laptops integrated Realtek ALC892 HD Audio S/PDIF port directly to the Edirols for best quality?
 
Thanks for helping out a novice!

Edited by Drooshz - 10/15/11 at 6:28am
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post #2 of 2
10/18/11 at 5:29pm
Thread Starter 

Any thoughts on this?  Did I post in the wrong sub-forum?

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