I think you really need an amp to get the full potential out of a pair of quality headphones. Plugging my Grados SR-125 directly to my revo 7.1 gives me below average sound at best. Feels muted, underpowered... Using my NAD C320bee amp, the sound is really great. Just my opinion.

I dont understand why an external dac would be so much better than the prelude. It would use the same components as the prelude anyways. Just because it's outside the computer? I'd like to see a blind test review, and I bet most people would not notice a difference. Am I wrong?

I can tell the huge difference between 128 and 192. Not really sure I can hear a difference between 192 and 320 though. Sometimes I think I do, but that might be placebo. I rip my cds to 320 "just to make sure". I can not hear a difference between 320 and the CD though. Not at all, never did.

whats the opamp and dac on the m-audio? Would it be nice to replace the opamp for a National LM4562NA High Performance Audio OPAMP? Am I crazy or the revo 7.1 has a swappable opamp socket? Can you do the direct swap? What about the dac?

How does the X-FI Compare to the revo 7.1 ? For music. Thanks

What are your suggestions for a good dac ?

No vista drivers for the revo 7.1? Just found out yesterday while installing vista. Wth am I going to do? Which other card should I buy?

whats the difference between the xtreme music and xtreme audio? one is 50, one is 100.

any dac names u think about?

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what kind of dac? How much better than the revo? Should I get an X-fi instead and then use a dac for music ?

no, i want better music.

Hey, I have a revo 7.1 and I always though the gaming performance was poor compared to my old SB Live. Music was waayyyy better though. I have grado SR125 phones and a NAD C320BEE amp. Which soundcard should I get? I want something better than the revo for music. I want a difference...

If only considering sound quality, is the x-fi better or not basically?

anyone? more input?