DAC vs discrete sound card

[Sycho]

So far, I have planned to get the FiiO E10 so I could get better sound off of my ATH-M50. I am currently using on-board sound, and I feel that it's not getting me the decent sound I could get with a DAC or better sound card. I also plan to purchase the M-audio BX5 D2 speakers and connect them to the line out of the E10.
 
Though now, I'm curious to know if a DAC (FiiO E10) would be a better choice compared to a sound card of up to $200. I want them to be used for both my headphones and future (or present X-540) speakers.

 

[proton007]

Quote:

So far, I have planned to get the FiiO E10 so I could get better sound off of my ATH-M50. I am currently using on-board sound, and I feel that it's not getting me the decent sound I could get with a DAC or better sound card. I also plan to purchase the M-audio BX5 D2 speakers and connect them to the line out of the E10.
 
Though now, I'm curious to know if a DAC (FiiO E10) would be a better choice compared to a sound card of up to $200. I want them to be used for both my headphones and future (or present X-540) speakers.

 
Depends on what you want. Technically the soundcard is better value for money, based on the features you get combined with the performance. For music alone and portability, you can go for the Fiio.

 

[obobskivich]

+1 to what proton said. The soundcard is a more versatile and higher performance option.

 

[Sycho]

For music performance alone, would the FiiO E10 sound all around better than a discrete sound card @ $200 (ex. the Xonar Essence) if I use the AV40 through the line out, and my headphones with the headphones jack?
 
Currently I care more about the music performance; gaming and surround sound can wait unless there's a possible way to make a 4.0 or 4.1 setup with 2 AV40s and a sub, where a sound card or an AV receiver is what I should be getting at that point.

 

[proton007]

Quote:

For music performance alone, would the FiiO E10 sound all around better than a discrete sound card @ $200 (ex. the Xonar Essence) if I use the AV40 through the line out, and my headphones with the headphones jack?
 
Currently I care more about the music performance; gaming and surround sound can wait unless there's a possible way to make a 4.0 or 4.1 setup with 2 AV40s and a sub, where a sound card or an AV receiver is what I should be getting at that point.

 
A sound card will give you 5 line outs. Whether you use 2 or 4 speakers is your choice. Next is the question of upgrading later, you'll still have to go for the Xonar DG/ST/STX if you want a decent sound card.
I don't know how well the Fiio performs, maybe you can check and compare them online.

 

[obobskivich]

For music performance alone, would the FiiO E10 sound all around better than a discrete sound card @ $200 (ex. the Xonar Essence) if I use the AV40 through the line out, and my headphones with the headphones jack?

Unlikely that you'll even notice a difference. Good is good.

Get the sound card if you can. More features. I would completely *not* do "4.0" with multiple sets of AV40 or similar - if you're getting into surround, get a surround processor and match speakers down the chain there. Bass management is the word.

 

[Sycho]

So looking at the Asus Xonar DG at http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=40&item_id=041520, is it worth it's price, as well as how is it a headphone amp as well? Compared to the FiiO E10, is the sound quality far?

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

So far, I have planned to get the FiiO E10 so I could get better sound off of my ATH-M50. I am currently using on-board sound, and I feel that it's not getting me the decent sound I could get with a DAC or better sound card. I also plan to purchase the M-audio BX5 D2 speakers and connect them to the line out of the E10.
 
Though now, I'm curious to know if a DAC (FiiO E10) would be a better choice compared to a sound card of up to $200. I want them to be used for both my headphones and future (or present X-540) speakers.

Asus Xonar DX or DGX sound card
Plug your 2-channel speakers into the Xonar's back panel (green)
Plug the ATH-M50s into the front panel headphone jack.
Not bad for $30.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

So looking at the Asus Xonar DG at http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=40&item_id=041520, is it worth it's price, as well as how is it a headphone amp as well? Compared to the FiiO E10, is the sound quality far?

The Xonar DG ($30) comes with a half-way decent headphone amplifier and Dolby Virtual Headphone 5.1.
Technically the Fiio E10 ($75) comes with a better quality headphone amplifier.
Not sure how much of a quality difference there is between the two for driving the ATH-M50s.