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Originally Posted by les_garten /img/forum/go_quote.gif
What my question was, if you have two cards with no issues(no snapping, crackling, popping), is there any reason to buy the Uber Premum card $$$$ if you are bypassing the DAC and OpAmps on the SC anyhow?
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Hey LG,
Lots of opinions on this topic, but little fact I'm afraid. If both were noise free, and the other parameters were equal, there is a good chance you would not detect the difference between the two, when using an outboard DAC. This would normally be a correct and commonly observed truthful answer.
However, I have personally heard a difference in transports between on-board chip solution audio in digital mode, and dedicated sound card audio in digital mode. An example is my notebook. It's an ASUS with HD-Audio built-in, with optical digital output. The output is OK and by no means "lacking" in some serious and highly noticeable way. But, compared to the X-Fi Express slot card I bought, it is indeed lacking. The X-Fi, with all the goodies turned off and bit perfect turned on, outshines the chip solution in many ways, most notable were dynamics, clarity of the upper highs, followed by a better controlled bass with more natural mids. I repeated this comparison over and over again, not wanting to believe that there was a difference. There was a difference though, and this made me very itchy.
While I explored this difference and was scratching my anatomy big time, it became clear to me that perhaps the chip solution audio used in mass production notebooks, can't compete yet with the likes of Creative or better dedicated sound cards. This is somehow not very surprising, and it follows a trend we've all seen in computer analog audio for years.
On the other hand, I always encourage notebook owners who have optical digital output, to try a decent DAC like the Zero, and see if they like what they hear after any upgrades and burn-in time with the Zero. If they like it, COOL! They win. Important money saved for more music or goodies!
If they sense it might be lacking, then it most likely is, and they should explore some of the dedicated sound card solutions out there. In the end, they will win too!
Just thought I'd toss out my 2 cents worth. YMMV of course.