DAC needed? If so, options?

[wadec22]

So I'm using an X-fi plantium and beyerdynamic dt 880's.  I just bought an ASL MG Head MKII tube amp off another user since I was told the 880's would benefit from a tube amp.
 
So far I'm kind of disappointed.  The ASL is probably 10-15% better than my astro mixamp.  Is this because I'm using the x-fi as my DAC?  Would it be better if I added a DAC?  I love x-fi cmss-3d so my x-fi can't be completely taken out of the equation.  If so any suggestions, at least on the semi inexpensive side.  

 

[Kawai_man]

I dont think a dac would solve your problem

 

[krmathis]

Yeah, a DAC of higher quality than the one built into your X-fi plantium will most certainly improve the sound quality.

 

[maverickronin]

Your X-fi is already a pretty good DAC. (hardware wise anyway)  There are lot of settings, conflicts, driver problems, etc than can degrade the sound.  You should go over all the available settings with a fine tooth comb and make sure everything is good.  No downsampling, upsampling, some sound effect you forgot to turn off, etc.  I doubt a better DAC would improve the situation since your X-fi is probably mangling the bitstream somehow.
 
Also try comparing the X-fi > ASL to something else like a laptop > ASL or DAP > ASL and see what sounds better.  If a cheap source sound better than your X-fi then it's probably messed up somehow.  Probably in the software, but the hardware is a possibility too.

 

[wadec22]

 
Quote:

Your X-fi is already a pretty good DAC. (hardware wise anyway)  There are lot of settings, conflicts, driver problems, etc than can degrade the sound.  You should go over all the available settings with a fine tooth comb and make sure everything is good.  No downsampling, upsampling, some sound effect you forgot to turn off, etc.  I doubt a better DAC would improve the situation since your X-fi is probably mangling the bitstream somehow.
 
Also try comparing the X-fi > ASL to something else like a laptop > ASL or DAP > ASL and see what sounds better.  If a cheap source sound better than your X-fi then it's probably messed up somehow.  Probably in the software, but the hardware is a possibility too.

switching out of gaming mode to audio creation or entertainment helped an awful lot, even though i already had cmss-3d and everything disabled.