Recent content by PurpleAngel

S/PDIF optical/coaxial runs the digital audio signal thru the Realtek on-board sound card. A USB connection will bypass the Realtek on-board sound card functions.

For going with an external DAC function, USB seems to the the best connection option (over S/PDIF optical/coaxial).

I'm guessing the Sony STR DH79 uses the speaker amplifiers to also drive the headphone jack, so chances are the Sony's headphone jack has a high output impedance (Ohms), so 250-Ohm (DT770) or 300-Ohms (HD600) headphones are fine plugged into it. But lower Ohm headphones would likely have damping...

I own the Beyerdynaic DT880 600-Ohm and the DT770/80, DT770/250, DT880/250, DT990/250, DT990/600 and T70/250 and T90/250. To me he DT880/600 are fairly well balanced and slightly bright.

Do you have something like a smartphone you could plug the (24-Ohm) Denon AH 9200 into? See if it chances (improves) the sound? The Musical Fidelity MX-HPA might not have been designed(?) to work well with 24-Ohm headphones? It looks like something you would would want to use with 250-Ohm or...

Put each device on a separate surge protector.

A Topping DX1 or Schiit Fulla (both around $100) would a start.

Do you need the features of a sound card? Or would an external USB DAC/amp do the job (guessing it would)? Budget? Your modern computer should already come with an on-board sound chip. But an external DAC/amp would normally be better.

Get a hybrid (tube + solid state) headphone amplifier, the solid state will keep the output impedance low, which you need for good damping control, for low Ohm headphone (IEM).

I'm guessing any external (USB/optical) DAC/amp will work with your Mac OS's main volume control. What is your budget?

Asus Xonar U3 USB sound card ($30). https://www.ebay.com/itm/126075372542 Optical cable 3.5mm jack. https://www.amazon.com/XIAHIOPT-Cable-Digital-Optical-Connector/dp/B0D7VS8CP9?gQT=1&th=1

Checked the manual, the Gigabyte B650m Gaming X AX does not come with S/PDIF optical connection. So I guess the connection you will be using is USB.

Asus Xonar U3 USB sound card ($30). https://www.ebay.com/itm/126075372542 Optical cable 3.5mm jack. https://www.amazon.com/XIAHIOPT-Cable-Digital-Optical-Connector/dp/B0D7VS8CP9?gQT=1&th=1

What is the make and model of your motherboard?

Some motherboards come with S/PDIF (optical/coaxial) connection, but does not come with the backplate or optical port. https://www.amazon.com/SPDIF-Optical-Plate-Bracket-Gigabyte/dp/B07FJMD7BF