Final Upgrade - Sound card suggestion

[anthonylei]

Hi guys

This is my current set up

Creative Audigy NX -> optical (toslink to toslink) -> Beresford TC-7510 MK6 -> RCA -> Little Dot MKIII -> Sennheiser HD595

I like to upgrade the sound card for music purpose only

Any suggestion?

My budge is around $100 but willing to pay more if necessary

 

[jona.p]

Aren't you using the Beresfold for digital to analog conversion ?
I don't think upgrading the soundcard will change much.

Correct me if I'm wrong .

 

[TotalDistinction]

I'm not familiar with the Creative Audigy NX card but the qustion/comment I have is:

1. Doesn't the Audigy NX card "pass-thru" your digital music source over optical to the Beresford untouched? That is, like a line-out? If so, I don't think upgrading your soundcard is going to improve your setup or desires.

 

[Apocalypsee]

It will make some difference, because of the Audigy resampling issue. Since you using only the optical out, something like AV-710 would suffice, or the card that I use, Prodigy HD2. I don't know how much it costs in UK or the availability there

 

[anthonylei]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TotalDistinction /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm not familiar with the Creative Audigy NX card but the qustion/comment I have is: 1. Doesn't the Audigy NX card "pass-thru" your digital music source over optical to the Beresford untouched? That is, like a line-out? If so, I don't think upgrading your soundcard is going to improve your setup or desires.

I think it does.... because I can add all kinds of special effect on the optical output

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apocalypsee /img/forum/go_quote.gif It will make some difference, because of the Audigy resampling issue. Since you using only the optical out, something like AV-710 would suffice, or the card that I use, Prodigy HD2. I don't know how much it costs in UK or the availability there

Av-710 is very difficult to get in UK.... so I am thinking a second hand EMU 0404 (PCI version)

 

[Maniac]

If you could, get a source (sound card or otherwise) with Coax output, and a high quality 75ohm coax cable. It will make a lot of difference.

 

[kevg73]

y would go with an x-fi xtreme music. great little sound card usually for aboiut $70-80 on ebay. has bit-perfect output and generally great sound

 

[arterius2]

why dont you just buy AV-710 from ebay? not that hard to get.

 

[anthonylei]

Quote:

Originally Posted by arterius2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif why dont you just buy AV-710 from ebay? not that hard to get.

yes.... from US.... the shipping cost is more than the card itself

P.S. I live in UK

 

[anthonylei]

anymore suggestion? open for all options

 

[Maniac]

Have you tried coax yet, you could try it with a standard RCA connector that is intended for TV's composite video purpose. (It won't be optimum, but often that's enough to blow Toslink out of the water).

 

[senny-ftw]

Get a used Corda Move. A portable headphone amp that has a USB DAC inside - effectively external sound cards with free amp included!

 

[Progenitor]

Your ideal solution is the M-Audio Transit - it's an USB sound card designed to output the SPDIF signal out, and it is supposed to be bit-transparent using its own drivers. A quick google product search shows that they are around £40 to £50
http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=m...firefox-a&um=1
I would compare the coax to the optical and see which you would prefer. Sometimes the optical in on a DAC is not as well designed as the Coax in.

 

[senny-ftw]

USB sound card -> optical (toslink to toslink) -> Beresford TC-7510 MK6 -> RCA -> Little Dot MKIII -> Sennheiser HD595

Seems like far too many boxes for the easy-to-drive, forgiving, not very detailed HD595.

When I had HD595s I used them as follows:

- Laptop --> Total Bithead (via USB) --> HD595
- iPod --> HD595.