I finally got my E-MU 0404. There is a nice difference and I'm glad I got it but I feel like Im doing something wrong. I have it just set up with the usb going straight to the box and then the headphones coming out of the headphone output. I can't get anything higher than a 44.1 Sampling...

Quote: Originally Posted by infinitesymphony You will be. Just note that the 0404 USB suffers from the same issue as other USB audio interfaces: only one program can play back sound at a time. You can avoid this by using your X-Fi's digital output instead of hooking up the 0404 USB...

I went ahead and ordered the usb 0404. Thanks for all the input dudes. I hope I'm satisfied.

Hmm thanks for the input Sander. I'm also looking at the Ibasso D1 but that is starting to get up there in price.

I have a X-Fi XtremeMusic right now and would like to get a nice upgrade for my sound quality. So which one would I be most happy with? I won't do any producing/creation of music at all so I doubt I'll ever use the inputs. I won't be using the Prelude for surround sound either, just headphones...

that new Little Dot looks tasty. I'm so not used to spending this much money on stuff like this though so I hope it sounds good.

Quote: Originally Posted by infinitesymphony The general consensus about the XtremeMusic is that it's a decent-sounding card for the price. Start by getting the amp, then look at DACs. I honestly wasn't sure if I NEEDED a DAC for a desktop type of setup. So if I grabbed the...

I've probably spent about 4 hours reading stuff about Amps and DACs and I'm not anywhere closer than where I started. I looked for the super-newbie sticky threads but I didn't seem to run across them and the ones I did find seemed to already be working with a beginners knowledge that I don't...