Recent content by mchart
  1. mchart

    Asus Xonar U7 DAC/AMP Impressions Thread

    Dolby Headphone is still not able to be used properly with this product FYI. I know there a few that may disagree with me but I know enough about how Windows works to know that Dolby Headphone will absolutely not function correctly if it is not receiving multi-channel audio from Windows under...
  2. mchart

    Which Porcupine Tree \ Steven Wilson Album?

    For someone new to the band Deadwing is the easy choice. The song of the same name is the standout here and is brilliant either way.
  3. mchart

    The Xonar Essence STX Q/A, tweaking, impressions thread

      All I can suggest is to check your grounds and make sure that your motherboard or any other component isn't possibly shorted to the case.
  4. mchart

    Realtek HD integrated audio

      Looking at that board, while it apparently looks better then what we typically see - That shielding is still poor. Like most things motherboard manufacturers market.. It's just that. Marketing. Like how they advertise 'Mil-Spec' motherboards now as well. True 'Mil Spec' components can...
  5. mchart

    Realtek HD integrated audio

    I've yet to experiance any motherboard with integrated audio that doesn't have EMI/Noise releated issues. Be it when I move my USB mouse around and I hear static, or just generally hearing static at louder volumes to begin with. Yes, I agree that on paper Realtek is great. The problem is that...
  6. mchart

    Realtek HD integrated audio

    Honestly it really doesn't matter what specific realtek model is in there - It's crap if you use it for anything other then digital out. My advice is to shut it off at the hardware level in the BIOS if you can and just get a USB sound card / DAC.
  7. mchart

    Does quality of laptop matter?

    Assuming the AK120 is connected via USB to the laptop and functioning as a DAC then laptop quality means nil as long as it has a functioning USB 2.0 port which is going to be every laptop.
  8. mchart

    Does quality of laptop matter?

    I don't follow. You plan to play audio from the AK120 into the laptop? Or you are somehow using the AK120 as a DAC with the laptop?   What is going optical into the receiver? Most laptops don't have optical out. You'd need something that did that.
  9. mchart

    Essence ST+H6, Creative ZXR, or Essence STX ?

    MKV is just the container format. If said container for a bluray rip (Which is where you'd typically see this file format) contains a 7.1/8 channel DDP or DTSHD audio stream then yes you'll get more then 5.1.
  10. mchart

    Creative Omni 5.1 or Asus Xonar U7

    Both look remarkably similar. I almost wonder if their underlying hardware is basically the same.
  11. mchart

    Asus Xonar U7 DAC/AMP Impressions Thread

    Or just skip a headset and get a decent set of normal cans and a modmic.   http://www.modmic.com/   Got one of these I use with my Q701 and it works great.
  12. mchart

    Asus Xonar U7 DAC/AMP Impressions Thread

    I don't see how this is possible. Yes, headphones are stereo. The problem is that with the U7 windows will only allow 2 channels passed to the u7 itself. With the STX you can set it to 7.1 while using the headphone out, then Dolby Headphone can do its job. This is a serious oversight in the U7...
  13. mchart

    Asus Xonar U7 DAC/AMP Impressions Thread

    Figured I'd post some thoughts about this device. I purchased one as I sold off my top of the line Desktop for a new Alienware laptop. The Alienware laptop like most things these days had the generic Realtek audio. Was using a STX in the desktop paired with some Q701's so I wasn't willing to...
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