cel4145
Headphoneus Supremus
Nono, sorry I wrote that wrong.
Basically due to the whole 600ohm-amp-thing in the SB-Z I could barely stand 20% volume before it became way to loud (SB-Z doesnt let you change amp. gain). And so when the sound card had a fit it output an extremely loud constant beeping at 100% which pretty much wrecked my headphones, which is why im skeptical about trying another SB-Z.
The sound quality however were quite pleasing using a pre-set EQ and Creatives "Crystalizer", but I guess in theory that makes the sound output "software based" rather than "hardware based", which is from what I understand not something audophiles "approve" of.
So yea, thats why im looking for something else than the SB-Z.
OK. I didn't realize you had started a new thread (usually better not to start a new thread like this).
Since you liked some of the DSP on the Soundblaster Z, seems you would like the STX better than the E10K because of the DSP it has. There are quite a few DSP settings you could experiment with. But it's impossible for anyone to predict whether or not you would find the DSP on the STX as likable as the Soundblaster since that is purely a personal preference thing. Regardless, this would seem to rule out the E10K.
Meanwhile, since you were happy with the Z except for the volume issue and the fact that it practically exploded on you, the STX is considered a better soundcard overall.
As for the low output impedance match previously discussed by others, since the STX improves on the Soundblaster in that regard (even though the E10K is optimal), and you were fine with the Soundblaster sound, then I wouldn't worry about that factor given the other considerations.