[braker218]

So I have to decided to go to a computer based system for the first time, as it just seems so much easier and centralized.

Anyways, I have looking at various soundcard options and am kind of lost. The main cards I have been looking at are the E-MU 1212M, 0404 PCI or USB, and the ESI Juli@. I don't really care if it is USB or internal.

I plan on running the soundcard directly to my amp (MAD Ear+), and was wondering what would be the best soundcard for me to get. I am kind of leaning towards the 1212M, but I am not sure yet. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[audiofil]

You can also try an entry level soundcard linked through SPDIF to a good quality DAC. There are quite a few inexpensive converters that fare exceptionally well given their price.
You gain an important amount of resolution and musicality out of a decent DAC rather than from a computer soundcard.
And you always have the open possibility of connecting and improving the sound of other digital signal sources like cd/dvd-players etc.

 

[Geoff Rymer]

Further to that, if you don't mind going USB, and you intend to run straight to your Mapletree, you could also look at a USB Dac and skip the soundcard all together. Just a thought...

Personally I've done as audiofil suggested, but that is because I already had the DAC/ADC (in my MD deck) so I could get away with a very inexpensive soundcard which had SPDIF in/out, but if you don't already have a DAC, it'd be worth looking at.

 

[oqvist]

hmmm there is soundcards with great DACS you know

.

Many actually uses the same then in external DACs...

But external DACS have the portability going for them but since you don´t want that go for a soundcard. Can do so much more then an external DAC...

 

[CSMR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by braker218 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Anyways, I have looking at various soundcard options and am kind of lost. The main cards I have been looking at are the E-MU 1212M, 0404 PCI or USB, and the ESI Juli@. I don't really care if it is USB or internal.

If your soundcard will be near your amplifier: 1212m or 0404PCI.
If it will be far away from the amplifier: 0202 or 0404 USB.
If you need flexibility go with USB.

 

[audiofil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oqvist /img/forum/go_quote.gif hmmm there is soundcards with great DACS you know . Many actually uses the same then in external DACs... But external DACS have the portability going for them but since you don´t want that go for a soundcard. Can do so much more then an external DAC...

There is more to a DAC than just a conversion chip.
You will find that the power supply, clocking circuit and output stage are a lot more critical and substantial in the output quality than the simple choice of one chip. In these 3 aspects most soundcards just plain ... suck!

 

[happyangryhappy]

Similar to what has been said, and depending upon your budget, you could get a simple card like a AV710 and feed the optical out to something like dac-ah or zhaolu and for the ~$200 it would cost, it would most likely sound significantly better than an onboard sound card.

There is always the squeezebox option as well....

 

[mrarroyo]

You could get the HeadRoom Micro Dac and use USB to go from computer to MicroDac. Then a Mini to RCA to go from MicroDac to Mapletree.

 

[Hardwired]

How does the HeadRoom Micro DAC compare to the PORTA CORDA MkIII-USB? The CORDA is also a headphone amp where the HeadRoom is only a DAC, and the CORDA is $75 less to boot. I would expect the HeadRoom to be noticeably better considering it's a dedicated DAC, but I'm curious if anyone has compared the two directly.

 

[braker218]

So it seems the majority of people think that an external DAC with a basic soundcard would be the best option. This leads me to another question.

Would an external DAC (such as the MicroDAC) sound significantly better that say an E-MU 1212M? Basically would the sound be better enough through the micro dac to warrant spending the extra $150 difference in price?

 

[uraflit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by braker218 /img/forum/go_quote.gif So it seems the majority of people think that an external DAC with a basic soundcard would be the best option. This leads me to another question. Would an external DAC (such as the MicroDAC) sound significantly better that say an E-MU 1212M? Basically would the sound be better enough through the micro dac to warrant spending the extra $150 difference in price?

depends. some say yes, some say no. you just gotta listen for yourself.

i'm beginning to believe that sub $200 DACs/Amps/headphones already serve me fully...

 

[sdgserv]

I have a Juli@ connected to a Ear+. This was my choice after listening to my 1212m for a while. Don't get me wrong..the 1212m is a great card and either one will work just fine..I just like the sound of the Juli@ and the ease of installation. Bought some nice IC's and that also helped. Just my worthless opinion