Astro A40 Driver inquiry

[skulblaka]

Greetings everyone,
 
Not entirely certain where I should post this thread because it doesn't exactly fit other sections (portable/full-size amps).
 
So right not I have the Astro A40 sound system connected via the optical cable. but the thing is, I'm not using their drivers. I tried submitting an image but nope; this forum won't let me.
 
In my sound panel, I have two entries, first is the "Speakers" that utilizes the ASTRO Gaming USB MixAmp. I'm not using that one because it's rubbish. The sound is awful and the surround sound is terrible. The second entry is the Realtek Digital Output which is the one I'm using because it sounds better than the other driver.
 
Can someone explain to me why this is? The MixAmp is designed, I think, to use Astro's drivers but they're not good. What role is the MixAmp doing for me at this moment? I don't have an in-depth understanding of sound equipment, unfortunately.
 
Reason for this inquiry is that I'm looking to upgrade onto AD900X open-air headphones and Creative Sound-Blaster Z sound card. I do a bit of gaming and a bit of music (mostly lossless and best quality I could find).

 

[billybob_jcv]

I can't answer your question, but if you want to post pictures you could post them to an image hosting site like http://www.tinypic.com/ and then put a link to the pictures in your post.

I don't know anything about the Astro A40, it might help if you assume no one here knows that product and talk about each piece and connection in the chain between your PC and the headset. Is something (mixamp?) connected to the USB port of your computer? Is the headset connected to this "mixamp"?

FYI, have you read this page?
http://support.astrogaming.com/article_details/How-do-I-connect-the-MixAmp-to-my-PC

 

[skulblaka]

Interesting, people here not knowing about Astro products tells me something about it; not for Audiophiles or better stuff in that price range.

I'll describe my setup. My headphones are connected to the Astro MixAmp (old model). The MixAmp is connected to my motherboard's optical port with an optical cable. That's all there is; no USBs.

 

[Tangster]

Quote:

Interesting, people here not knowing about Astro products tells me something about it; not for Audiophiles or better stuff in that price range.

I'll describe my setup. My headphones are connected to the Astro MixAmp (old model). The MixAmp is connected to my motherboard's optical port with an optical cable. That's all there is; no USBs.

I'm going to take a stab at this and say the mixamp is either damaged or just really bad. Most external amps are at least on par with on-board sound. Astro products are not looked upon kindly (for the most part) in this forum.

 

[skulblaka]

It's probably just an awful device then, I don't know what I was thinking when I bough it but it was a good run. But knowing this excites me. If I'm to upgrade, then the difference will be noticeable.
 
I noticed your signature and you have A900X headphones listed. I'm planning to get the AD900X, open air headphones myself. I just hope the sound card will be worthy of the headphones. Looking forward to hearing the difference. Thank you for the help.

 

[skulblaka]

I'll just revive this thread instead of creating a new one.
 
So I just got my Creative Sound Blaster Z, and have noticed a few issues; this will not be able to replace my MixAmp (I really hope I'm missing something). When I connect my headphones to my sound card the audio is faulty... when I test it the sound doesn't come from right or left when it has to (comes from "middle"). When I listen to music, it's like there are large portions of sound missing. I have the latest drivers and installed the sound card correctly. The quality is also terrible; I'm not entirely sure what I'm missing.
 

 
As you can see in the image, I'm using Realtek Digital Output which provides me with surround sound. This device is from the MixAmp, not that I'm not using Astro drivers (Speakers are using Astro drivers).
 
Now, when I connect my headphones to the sound card I'm forced to use the "Speakers" device with the Sound Blaster Z drivers. I'm not even able to test the quality because something is wrong with the audio. I honestly don't know what.

 

[PETEREK]

After I got my 2012 Edition Mixamp and A40s, I  was using them and I felt a bunch of static building up on me. I don't know if it was from my socks on the carpet or what, but I touched my A40s to take them off and I simultaneously shocked and fried my MixAmp. I couldnt believe what just happened. 
Anyway, I informed Astro that my MixAmp "spontaneously" fried (I didn't say I felt static building up on me) and they told me to ship it back and they ended up replacing it for free. The static thing never happened to me again after that, strange. 
 
The point I'm trying to make, is that there are probably some MixAmp duds. I think I had one, and you probably do too. My current, the replacement, is now over 2 years old and still working perfectly.