[Vague]

Hey guys. I'm making an upgrade from standard gaming headsets to a very good pair of headphones for competitive gaming and music "AD900x" but i don't know if i should get an AMP or a Soundcard, anyone got any suggestions? Please forgive my lack of knowledge.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Adding a sound card should improve audio quality over plugging the ATH-AD900X directly into the computer's on-board audio.
 
Asus Xonar DG sound card, $27.99 and there is a $10 mail in rebate this month.
Sound Blaster Z sound card, $80, better DAC chip (CS4398).

 

[Vague]

I know not to use on board but the thing that i am asking is am i better of getting something like a FiiO Amp or Asus Essence STX?

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

I know not to use on board but the thing that I am asking is am I better of getting something like a FiiO Amp or Asus Essence STX?

For the 40-Ohm ATH-AD900X you would want (prefer) to get a headphone amplifier with an output impedance of 4-Ohms or less, the Essence STX's and Fiio E9/E09K output impedance is 10-Ohms.
The Schiit Magni, $99, comes with an output impedance of less then 1-Ohm
Fiio portables, like the E07K, E10, E11, E17 come with a low impedance, around 1-Ohm.
 
I would say to get an Asus Xonar DX or D1 sound card, used $50-$60,
which comes with a CS4398 DAC chip
And a Schiit Magni amp, $99.
 
The Creative labs Sound Blaster Titanium (non-HD), CS4382 DAC chip, sells used for around $50
and could be used instead of the Xonar DX/D1.

 

[Vague]

Quote:

For the 40-Ohm ATH-AD900X you would want (prefer) to get a headphone amplifier with an output impedance of 4-Ohms or less, the Essence STX's and Fiio E9/E09K output impedance is 10-Ohms.
The Schiit Magni, $99, comes with an output impedance of less then 1-Ohm
Fiio portables, like the E07K, E10, E11, E17 come with a low impedance, around 1-Ohm.
 
I would say to get an Asus Xonar DX or D1 sound card, used $50-$60,
which comes with a CS4398 DAC chip
And a Schiit Magni amp, $99.
 
The Creative labs Sound Blaster Titanium (non-HD), CS4382 DAC chip, sells used for around $50
and could be used instead of the Xonar DX/D1.

Thanks for the help man. <3