[Ceremonsen]

Hi all,

Has anyone compared these two sound cards?
Which one is better from an audiophile point of view?
Could you share your experience?

 

[PurpleAngel]

Audiophile usually go with external DAC/amps.
Sound card can sometimes pick up electrical noise that is generated inside the computer case.

 

[Ceremonsen]

Audiophile usually go with external DAC/amps.
Sound card can sometimes pick up electrical noise that is generated inside the computer case.

So if I get DAC I don't need a sound card, right?

 

[pbui44]

So if I get DAC I don't need a sound card, right?

If you do not feel the need for special sound effects that specific sound card drivers or software might bring, then yes.

With that said, getting the right DAC and amp also depends on what headphones you plan to use with it as well. What headphones do you plan to use?

 

[Ceremonsen]

If you do not feel the need for special sound effects that specific sound card drivers or software might bring, then yes.

With that said, getting the right DAC and amp also depends on what headphones you plan to use with it as well. What headphones do you plan to use?

At the moment I have WA6-SE headphone amplifier, and audio-technica ATH-AD900X, and Sennheiser HD 380 PRO headphones.
Also, I have M-Audio Audiophile 192 sound card in my old PC, but I cant use it in my new build because all new motherboards don't have a PCI slot.
And no, I don't look for special effects, just want best possible audio in my system.

 

[pbui44]

At the moment I have WA6-SE headphone amplifier, and audio-technica ATH-AD900X, and Sennheiser HD 380 PRO headphones.

So you could get this:

https://www.amazon.com/FX-Audio-Digital-Decoder-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B07TW2JQNN/

but there will most likely reside a slight hum in the background that will be especially more audible with IEMs, so if you want a clearer sounding DAC without that background hum, then look at this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Soundavo-HP-DAC1-Digital-Converter-Headphone/dp/B07Z5F76TG/

However, if you want a slightly warmer sounding DAC to better match with your WA6-SE tube amplifier, then look at this one:

https://www.amazon.com/S-M-S-L-MQA-CD-Decoder-AK4493S-768kHz/dp/B0C1Y7C9HH/

Also, I have M-Audio Audiophile 192 sound card in my old PC, but I cant use it in my new build because all new motherboards don't have a PCI slot.

So maybe these newer motherboards mentioned here might work, but you will have to check with compatibility with this type of northbridge chipset with your PCI cards and all of the other potential issues that may arise:

https://www.quora.com/Which-modern-motherboards-have-PCI-slots

And no, I don't look for special effects, just want best possible audio in my system.

So if you also want a very powerful single-ended solid-state amp to use when you want a clearer non-tube sound and even use as a pre-amplifier for your WA6-SE, then look at the this amp:

https://www.schiit.com/products/midgard

 

[PurpleAngel]

So if I get DAC I don't need a sound card, right?

Yea, I'm guessing with the more modern (and powerful) CPUs, software can take care of a lot of the audio processing, over the need for an add-on sound card.
Also an external DAC/amp can be used with more than just a Windows PC tower.

 

[PurpleAngel]

At the moment I have WA6-SE headphone amplifier, and audio-technica ATH-AD900X, and Sennheiser HD 380 PRO headphones.
Also, I have M-Audio Audiophile 192 sound card in my old PC, but I cant use it in my new build because all new motherboards don't have a PCI slot.
And no, I don't look for special effects, just want best possible audio in my system.

Would think all you need is a USB DAC, connected between the computer and the WA6-SE.

 

[Ceremonsen]

Would think all you need is a USB DAC, connected between the computer and the WA6-SE.

I'm thinking of Schiit Bifrost or Yggdrasil.
Thanks for the inputs.

So if you also want a very powerful single-ended solid-state amp to use when you want a clearer non-tube sound and even use as a pre-amplifier for your WA6-SE, then look at the this amp:

https://www.schiit.com/products/midgard

Hmm, I'm not really sure why I need another headphone amp for my WA6-SE.
But thanks for sharing your opinion, and info. Appreciate it.

 

[pbui44]

I'm thinking of Schiit Bifrost or Yggdrasil.
Thanks for the inputs.

Hmm, I'm not really sure why I need another headphone amp for my WA6-SE.
But thanks for sharing your opinion, and info. Appreciate it.

I just wanted to throw that solid-state amp as an option. Since your WA6-SE has only single-ended inputs and you are interested in Schiit's multi-bit DACs, why not just look at the Modi Multibit and save some money:

https://www.schiit.com/products/modi-multibit-2