[sanne]

Is it just me or is this onboard solution actually pretty decent? I'm just continually amazed at how well it drives my Senn 600's, and how much better it was over the M-Audio Transit. Now, I'm not saying the sound is excellent or amazing by any means, but it's quite decent I'd say. I'm used to onboard solutions being incredibly inferior to quality soundcards, but I must say this one has surprised me.

 

[Super-Gonzo]

I've also been impressed, although my experience with it thus far has been hooked to a sub/satellite system.

Certainly none of the hiss, static and bleeps I had to deal with on my old 8200.

 

[sanne]

yeah surprisingly clean output i'd say.

 

[Distroyed]

I first tried the headphone output with my senn 280 pro's and disregarded the soundcard as standard crap, but after reading this I threw my 580's in and discovered they sound pretty good considering. The bass is notably lacking and the highs are exaggerated, but the soundstage and clarity between instruments is much better than I expected, at least at lower volumes. Turn things up and we've got distortion. The bass comes through only on my ksc-35's. I'm hoping the TBAA will provide me the extra bass for which I'm looking once it gets here in a few days..

 

[jiiteepee]

The onboard audio on Dell Inspiron 9300 is said to be a basic 16/48 Sigmatel C-Major chip (http://www.walkeral.plus.com/9300.html).
Can you specify the model (STACxxxx) used in your 9300 since there are couple of them listed @ http://www.sigmatel.com/products/technical_docs.htm.

jiitee

 

[aeroes]

The only thing that holds me for buying Dell 9300 is expensive but reading this thread makes me wanna pull the trigger!

Anyone tried it with an amp? How good it was?

 

[Sparky191]

My Dell 4700 has a ADI 1980 on board and its far better than the Sigmatel STAC9750 on my Sony laptop.

 

[jiiteepee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky191 My Dell 4700 has a ADI 1980 on board and its far better than the Sigmatel STAC9750 on my Sony laptop.

Sigmatel STAC9750 is pin compatible with STAC9766 (100% compatible backwards) which have a bit better SNR values as you can see from the picture linked

Can this 9750 codec be replaced with the latter one without other modifications?

jiitee

 

[Tachikoma]

what about the dell dimension 4700 l... for some reason, upgrading to a chaintech AV-710 didn't produce the "upgraded" feel I was expecting lol (the chaintech's my first ever non-onboard soundcard...)

 

[Sparky191]

jiiteepee - I have no idea...

On the Sony I use a Creative Mp3+ USB sound card and the sound is a lot better though the card itself is not brilliant. On the 4600 and the Precision WorkStation 650 I have at work the Mp3+ is still better than the onboard but less so. Without the Mp3+ the sony audio is awful, I can't listen to it. The Dells are bearable for casual audio.

I have a Sonic Fury/Santa Cruz sound card I was going to put in the 4600 but I haven't bothered. I might replace the Mp3+ with a Creative USB Live card to improve the quality of the recordings I can get from external sources.

 

[yeeyy]

Did anyone aware that STAC is used in most Creative Audigy series soundcard, though D-A portion is done by Cirrus DAC?