Hi. I have speakers Edifier S530D 2.1 and I have them connected to a sound from the motherboard GIGABYTE Z77X-D3H (via chipset) by optical cable. Set plays very nicely, but I am curious whether to be able to play even better by purchasing the sound card. Of course, I then plugged the analog.
I searched a little and I chose two cards:

1. Cretive Sound Blaster Z
2. Asus Xonar DX
3. maybe some different?

Mainly I listen to music on your computer, sometimes some sort of game.

Does it make sense to buy any sound card, or it will be not too much difference in relation to the integrated sound card?
 
ps. sorry for my english

Regards...

I would think the DX or Soundblaster Z might be an improvement over the VIA chipset on your motherboard, but I can't guarantee it.

Note that the DX does not have a headphone amp. So if you want to use headphones, too, the Z would be the better choice.

cel4145 said:

I would think the DX or Sound Blaster Z might be an improvement over the VIA chipset on your motherboard, but I can't guarantee it.

Note that the DX does not have a headphone amp. So if you want to use headphones, too, the Z would be the better choice.

Click to expand...

 
Yea, what he said.
You can also get an external Hifimediy USB DAC for around $65, comes with a Sabre DAC chip
No surround sound features, which aren't really need for music or non FPS gaming.
USB DAC is a lot easier to install (then a sound card), just plug it in and chances are the computer automatically make it the default sound device and loads the correct USB drivers.

Thank you for the advice. I also found the card - Audiotrak prodigy hd2. What do you think about it?

exciter555 said:

Thank you for the advice. I also found the card - Audiotrak prodigy hd2. What do you think about it?

Click to expand...

I don't know anything about that card. Maybe PurpleAngel does.

exciter555 said:

  Thank you for the advice. I also found the card - Audiotrak prodigy hd2. What do you think about it?

Click to expand...

 
Nice DAC chip, but it's VIA VT-1721 (Envy24 HT-S) was a nice audio processor, from about 10 years ago.
If you could get it for $35, that would be great.

cel4145 said:

I would think the DX or Soundblaster Z might be an improvement over the VIA chipset on your motherboard, but I can't guarantee it.

Note that the DX does not have a headphone amp. So if you want to use headphones, too, the Z would be the better choice.

Click to expand...

 
The VIA chipset is currently irrelevant because the OP uses a digital connection from the motherboard to the Edifier. The chipset in the motherboard don't do anything to the sound - it only transfers the bits from the computer (software player) to the Edifier, which then converts the bits to an analog signal and amplifies it. The comparison is between the DAC and amplifier in the Edifier vs. the DAC and amplifier in a discrete sound card. I don't think it makes sense to get a sound card if the OP plans then to route the sound (as an analog signal) to the Edifier speakers. If he is replacing the Edifier completely, then it might make sense.