Right now I'm using onboard audio (I know, ick) with Realtek AC'97 in my laptop.
To me, it actually sounds alright. I plan to someday get a better set of headphones too (right now, I'm using cheap ones: Koss KSC-75, Sennheiser CX300).
I was wondering, if I upgraded to an Echo Indigo card, would I be able to tell the difference in sound if most of my music is ripped to MP3 format at 192kbps? I have mostly 192kbps or variable bitrate. I don't listen to any audio CDs or lossless formats.
Is it worth it to pay the $150 if I listen to only those bitrates?
What I'm worried is that if I get too good of equipment, my 192kbps MP3's will sound like crap, and I'll be forced either to rip my music into a higher bitrate/lossless or just downgrade.
To me, it actually sounds alright. I plan to someday get a better set of headphones too (right now, I'm using cheap ones: Koss KSC-75, Sennheiser CX300).
I was wondering, if I upgraded to an Echo Indigo card, would I be able to tell the difference in sound if most of my music is ripped to MP3 format at 192kbps? I have mostly 192kbps or variable bitrate. I don't listen to any audio CDs or lossless formats.
Is it worth it to pay the $150 if I listen to only those bitrates?
What I'm worried is that if I get too good of equipment, my 192kbps MP3's will sound like crap, and I'll be forced either to rip my music into a higher bitrate/lossless or just downgrade.