Just a heads up that both mic inputs have noise cancellation I couldn't disable. Mic quality is good but has the slight underwater effect of Crystal Voice from the E5 and Z series. Hopefully better control can be added to a BlasterX acoustic engine update.   The headphone output does have...

Thanks for the info on the Omni built in mics, hopefully they didn't cripple the mic input on the front. The Z mic input actually performs worse than the on board Realtek ALC889 so you cant really get away without using crystal voice causing a significant drop in capture quality.

kiwikozo,   Thanks documenting the issues you were having with the Sound Blaster Z and its terrible microphone preamp.   I am having the exact same issues as you and was wondering if the switch to the Omni has resulted in less mic static?   I have been through the same sound card testing...

Thank you for your help on this. I was actually considering a Focusrite Scarlett Solo or something similar alongside a desktop condenser microphone. I already have an O2+ODAC so with this combination the sound cards only purpose would be as a DSP for Dolby headphone / SBX Surround.   To be...

I recently added a Sound Blaster Z to my system and the static from mic recordings is terrible when compared to the X-Fi Platinum it replaced. It's so bad that Crystal voice noise cancellation needs to be enabled for any voip and then audio quality just drops off a cliff!   I tried a Asus...

The SE535's are certainly the most sensitive IEM's Ive ever used and they really will highlight a noisy output / amplifier. The upside is punchy dynamics even from low powered outputs.   I also own the Shure SRH 940's which are totally free from hiss which I'm guessing its to do with higher...