[skadd]

I recently bought 'Beyerdynamic DT770' and are now looking for a sound card that suites my audiophile ears.
I will use it firstly for music, secondly for movies.

I've been looking at X-Meridan, M-Audio 5.1 and Onkyo Wavio SE-200PCI..
But then I ask myself... Is it overkill to buy such advanced cards with digital outs, rca's and whatever else there is (I'm a noob) if I'm only gonna use it through a mini-jack to my headphones?

I want something better than the cards from creative thats for sure..

Hope anyone can help

 

[Sir Nobax]

How high's your budget?

My first thoughts are the E-MU 0202 or 0404 USB, so you'll get a very decent amp too.

Click here for my impressions.

The DT-770 will like the 0404's sound signature.

 

[skeeder]

EMU is a creative brand btw...just so you know.

I'd highly recommend the Chaintech AV710, M-audio REvolution or audiophile series.

 

[Sir Nobax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeeder /img/forum/go_quote.gif EMU is a creative brand btw...just so you know.

You should enable signatures....just so you know

.

 

[MCC]

I'd get a BG modded AV-710 and amp it if you're on a budget. This card has much more potential than you'd think for $25. You will need to amp your DT-770s or you won't like what you hear. If 50Ω HD-595s see a night and day difference I can only begin to imagine what amping will do to your 250Ω cans.

Edit: BG = Black Gate, a brand of capacitor that's often used to replace the stock coupling caps on the AV-710. This forum has at least one guide to performing the relatively simple procedure. You will need soldering experience though.

I've A-B'd between my BG card and dad's card before I modified it. The BG card has a fuller, more complete sound and better defined treble. The mod adds a layer of musicality to the AV-710 that pushes it into the realm of the better Pioneer Elite CDPs. The bang/buck ratio is almost ∞/1.

(ok, maybe not that much... but it is VERY good for the price. A good DAC should easily beat it, but that's something you'll pay hundreds for.)

 

[Sir Nobax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCC /img/forum/go_quote.gif You will need to amp your DT-880s or you won't like what you hear.

So he needs to amp a DT-880 or else he does not like his DT-770's sound, yes that makes total sense.

 

[MCC]

770. Whoops! Still a 250Ω can.