[OakIris]

I currently have an X-Fi Platinum soundcard because I thought I might get back into games....well, I haven't played a game in about 2 years. I have a separate 2-channel system in my computer room that I use for music so don't normally use my computer as a source. However....Should I want to use my computer as a source, such as when using iTunes to get music from my CDs for use on my Nano, what soundcard would be recommended?

I have a very good headphone amp (IMHO) to use with my computer, so don't need a soundcard with a headphone connection. I do need one that has RCA outputs to connect to my amp.... Looking for a soundcard with an excellent DAC, left/right RCA connectors, don't want to pay more than about $300, since this is not my primary music system.

Suggestions??

Holly

 

[OakIris]

Anyone??

 

[Cauhtemoc]

I've always been a fan of the Onkyo SE 200. It's around $180 and is very good. The E-MU 1212M can also be had for as little as $120 and is supposed to be equally as good.

 

[Ahriman4891]

1212M for $120 is a steal.

 

[kamal007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cauhtemoc /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've always been a fan of the Onkyo SE 200. It's around $180 and is very good. The E-MU 1212M can also be had for as little as $120 and is supposed to be equally as good.

from the pic in the link theres two version of 1212m. one is the one with coax's and spdif while the others are mainly 3.5mm female. do they sell them separately?

 

[OakIris]

Thank you for your responses!

I have been doing a lot of research and am now thinking that perhaps I should go the external DAC route to get better sound. There is some consensus that unless I am willing to pay a lot of money, such as for one of the Lynx sound cards, a USB DAC makes more sense. Well, I don't have $700-1000 to spend on a sound card, and I don't plan to mix my own music, so....

The Onkyo sound card looks quite interesting, though, and is bound to be better than my XFi card. but is it available in the USA?

Holly

 

[ROBSCIX]

I would suggest a X-Meridian in analog mode. It doesn't have RCA outs but you can buy adapters if your partial to RCA connectors. If your more into gaming sound standards like EAX/OpenAL then the Prelude is probably the way to go.
That 1212M looks like a great card for the price. I can't say otherwise..

 

[Cauhtemoc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OakIris I have been doing a lot of research and am now thinking that perhaps I should go the external DAC route to get better sound. There is some consensus that unless I am willing to pay a lot of money, such as for one of the Lynx sound cards, a USB DAC makes more sense.

Take a look at the Zhaolu, it's well liked around here is very good. Use your X-Fi to get SPDIF.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OakIris The Onkyo sound card looks quite interesting, though, and is bound to be better than my XFi card. but is it available in the USA?

The Onkyo SE 200 can be had at GeekStuff4U (here) or PriceJapan (here), but it appears to be backordered at the moment.

 

[OakIris]

Thanks again, everyone.

I ended up buying a Fubar II USB DAC to see if this improves the sound from my computer. I have read good things about this DAC, didn't need a headphone amp, such as the integrated Zhaolu has, and it was a decent price for my needs, since I already have a dedicated two channel system in my computer room if I want to do some "serious" music listening.

Holly