[Shizdan]

I was just wondering how it compares to say "Gaming soundcards".

I use my compass through USB and was wondering if I would get an increase in SQ if I connected it to my PC (motherboard is an Asus Rampage with onboard Optical) through SPDIF

 

[Ntropic]

You're not going to hear more, if that's what you're trying to say. Your music will sound better, however. Game sounds, on the other hand, are rather compressed (or so I've read).

Also, EAX is dead.

Personally, I only use my D2 when I'm listening to music. Any other time I'll be using on board.

 

[Shizdan]

Thanks. Any other input?

 

[RedSky0]

Well, you have it right, just try it and see if you can tell an improvement.

 

[Shizdan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedSky0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, you have it right, just try it and see if you can tell an improvement.

Thing is, my setup is wired perfectly and my spdif cord would have to be 8-10 feet to reach the computer. So I'd rather have somebody try it out before I buy a longer optical cord.

 

[FallenAngel]

If you want to take advantage of the multi-channel effects and filters in games, get a card that supports them. USB audio chips do not.

 

[Shizdan]

Well I game with my headphones like so:
PC--USB--Compass--HD 580

I was wondering if I got an X-Fi or a Xonar card with optical out, do I get the effects?

 

[iriverdude]

Pretty sure the X-Fi does not pass EAX over digital out. I use the analogue outputs on my X-Fi to pretty good 5.1 speaker system.

 

[FallenAngel]

X-Fi does pass EAX through S/PDIF, but you should be MUCH more interested in 3D-CMSS

 

[iriverdude]

Nah rather have Logic 7.

Quote:

X-Fi does pass EAX through S/PDIF

Source? EAX is multi-channel audio, so it must encode to multi-channel, which means it has to encode to Dolby Digita or DTS. It'll have "live" encoding otherwise it won't.

 

[FallenAngel]

I have an X-Fi XtremeMusic and pass EAX effects as well as 3D-CMSS to my DAC

 

[Shizdan]

So if I got a X-fi, It would pass my 3D-CMSS (For Headphones) through optical to my Compass Dac / Amp

 

[Pricklely Peete]

EAX is nothing but various levels of reverb and delay whereas 3D-CMSS actually manipulates the signal much like SRS (but does a much better job). I have the Auzen prelude which is X-Fi based and it indeed passes either type of effect through to your DAC.

You cannot pass any DTS/DD type data stream as the DAC of the Compass is not setup to handle such streams...just regular stereo pcm. Once you hear a game through decent 2 channel amp the 5.1 stuff through regular computer style speakers sounds crappy by comparison.....that is to say what FA alludes to WRT to 3D-CMSS is entirely correct, it does a great job into your headphones. Try it out.

Peete.

 

[tswise]

for gaming i'd rather have more positional information than pure audio quality, as I'm not listening to shotgun blasts and zombie footsteps the same way as I listen to Dark Side of the Moon or what have you


personally, I take the headphones off for gaming and run it out the analog outputs on my prelude to my 5.1 HT setup

 

[audio.tech]

I play counter strike source, compass can produce footstep sound accurately.