[Incrementum]

Hey guys,
 
After upgrading to Windows 8.1 and having my Creative drivers **** all over me, I've decided to just get rid of the sound card once and for all.  I have the 250ohm DT 990's and an O2 amp.  What kind of DAC would I need to buy to replace the Titanium HD sound card?  I just want to be able to plug it into my motherboard and forget about the software.  Creative drivers are terrible.

 

[PurpleAngel]

I'm assuming you have no interest in gaming and just want something for music?
 
Hifimediy Sabre U2, USB DAC, $55 plus shipping.
http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=123

 

[Incrementum]

I actually use them mostly for gaming. I'm just sick of the sound card...I don't want to have to deal with the extra software anymore.

 

[PurpleAngel]

I actually use them mostly for gaming. I'm just sick of the sound card...I don't want to have to deal with the extra software anymore.

Usually PC gaming and PC sound cards go hand in hand.
You could enable the motherboard's on-board sound card.
Would be enabled in the BIOS.
And update to the latest drivers.
And plug the O2 amplifier straight into the motherboard's line-out/headphone jack.
 
There is the Asus Xonar DX & D1 sound cards, used $65,
good DAC chip, CS4398.

 

[Incrementum]

Usually PC gaming and PC sound cards go hand in hand.
You could enable the motherboard's on-board sound card.
Would be enabled in the BIOS.
And update to the latest drivers.
And plug the O2 amplifier straight into the motherboard's line-out/headphone jack.
 
There is the Asus Xonar DX & D1 sound cards, used $65,
good DAC chip, CS4398.

 
Will I notice much of a difference between the on-board sound and my Titanium HD? This will be with the O2 amp being plugged in directly to the headphone jack on my motherboard.

 

[PurpleAngel]

 

 
Usually PC gaming and PC sound cards go hand in hand.
You could enable the motherboard's on-board sound card.
Would be enabled in the BIOS.
And update to the latest drivers.
And plug the O2 amplifier straight into the motherboard's line-out/headphone jack.
 
There is the Asus Xonar DX & D1 sound cards, used $65,
good DAC chip, CS4398.

 
Will I notice much of a difference between the on-board sound and my Titanium HD? This will be with the O2 amp being plugged in directly to the headphone jack on my motherboard.

The Titanium HD comes with a really good DAC chip, the PCM1794.
and motherboard's usually comes with very low costing DAC features.
So, yea, there will be a drop in audio quality when you remove the Titanium HD.
(The Xonar DX/D1 will be a fair bit better then on-board and also most as good audio qulaity as the Titanium HD)
When you installed the Titanium HD, did you disable the motherboard's on-board audio? (in the BIOS)
Did you try doing a fresh install for the Creative software?

 

[Incrementum]

The Titanium HD comes with a really good DAC chip, the PCM1794.
and motherboard's usually comes with very low costing DAC features.
So, yea, there will be a drop in audio quality when you remove the Titanium HD.
(The Xonar DX/D1 will be a fair bit better then on-board and also most as good audio qulaity as the Titanium HD)
When you installed the Titanium HD, did you disable the motherboard's on-board audio? (in the BIOS)
Did you try doing a fresh install for the Creative software?

 
Yes I had my on-board audio turned off until yesterday when I upgraded to Windows 8.1. There is currently no driver support for the Titanium HD on Windows 8.1 and I'm just getting sick of having to deal with Creative in general. I will try the O2 to on-board tonight and see if I notice any major differences. I don't even really like the sound card features like CMSS-3D...it makes everything sound muddled to me.

 

[Incrementum]

I think the sound quality took a very small hit and the volume isn't as loud, but other than that I don't think there's a huge difference. I may just keep this setup unless I want to add a better DAC. I'm not sure if that would benefit me for gaming though.

 

[Incrementum]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a cheap-ish DAC (around $100) that would benefit my setup?

 

[Incrementum]

I'm looking at the standalone JDS Labs ODAC and I think that would be a good fit since I already have the O2 amp.  Anyone also have this setup?