HD598 + XONAR DX - Help with configurations

[milosingh]

Asus DX can't drive HD 598. Sell it. Use the proceeds to buy a DGX. You won't need to put in any money.

 

[Kitmellow]

  I just changed my drivers to the new uni xonar, and now my conf. is set like this:

http://imageshack.com/a/img924/9431/8xwS6y.png

its correct?

i dont have plans to buy another card right now... i will stay with xonar dx only and them, someday maybe i buy one better soundcard, with internal amp.

 
Yes, that looks correct. Almost an exact match to what my C-media Panel looks like... difference only because of my DSX is missing the Dolby surround feature.
 
Not sure about the idea to get a DGX though. It's inferior in most ways to your DX even if it's very slight and not noticeable. Plus it's a slightly more mid-centric sounding and less neutral than your DX if that's what you are going for.
 
If you can in the future, get an amp that's known to be neutral to go with your DX.

 

[Victor Dahan]

Fiio E6 could help me? or it isnt good enough? 

e11k is much better them e6?

 

[milosingh]

E6 is rubbish. Asus DGX is your best bet. Just USD 25.

If you have a modern smartphone you should be fine as well.

 

[Victor Dahan]

but, if i use my xonar dx + e6, will be better sound quality them dgx?  

i dont want to downgrade my soundcard too.

 

[Kitmellow]

Quote:

E6 is rubbish. Asus DGX is your best bet. Just USD 25.

If you have a modern smartphone you should be fine as well.

 
That's interesting 

 
I wasn't really aware modern smartphones could drive headphones better than soundcards. At least max volume on my Galaxy S5 is quieter than my DSX on max volume =\
But I guess there could be a lot of factors to that
 

  but, if i use my xonar dx + e6, will be better sound quality them dgx?  

i dont want to downgrade my soundcard too.

 
Hmm, well the best way to really know is to try it out. But like Milo said, the DGX might be a better choice to at least give a try in absence of an amp since it's so cheap and widely available. You can probably return it if you don't like it. Also the DGX doesn't require an extra power connector like your DX does so that's I bonus I guess.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  but, if i use my Xonar DX + E6, will be better sound quality them DGX?  

i don't want to downgrade my sound card too.

 
I would hope that you budget more and get the A3 (E11K).
but a Xonar DX, with the FiiO E6, would be better then getting the DGX.

 

[milosingh]

Modern smartphones won't be as loud. Nowhere near as loud. But they have headphone amps built in. A HD 598 will run fine at 70-80% volume from an iPhone 5s for instance.

SQ will be superb. Better than with the Asus DGX/STX due to a better impedance match.

A much better amp might help slightly though. But that won't come for merely USD 100-200.

I'd suggest stick to a modern smartphone unless you want to go really loud.

If not, you'll need a DGX. Or just use your onboard sound card headphone out.

DX isn't an option.

 

[mindbomb]

Just get a fiio e6 if you need an amp. I don't see the big deal here.

 

[Victor Dahan]

I really appreciate all the comments here, and wanna thx all the help.

Im get a little bit confused, so here is my final asks.

1) will i notice any difference in the surround using external amp or other soundcard with internal amp (difference in FPS games for example) ????

2) probably will not be easy to sell my xonar dx, so my options are:

buy Fiio e6 er Fiio e11 (if e11 is really way better) + my xonar dx

or

try to sell my xonar dx and buy one Sound Blater Z (only if it really improve my surrounding in fps games)


Remember, i dont have lots of money to spent now, so, i need to think in terms of cost benefit.

 

[mindbomb]

I actually use a xonar dx and a fiio a3. I've seen it go for like $40 on the used market, so it's only slightly more than a new e6. It's a pretty good setup.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I really appreciate all the comments here, and wanna thx all the help.
I'm get a little bit confused, so here is my final asks.
1) will i notice any difference in the surround using external amp or other sound card with internal amp (difference in FPS games for example) ????
2) probably will not be easy to sell my Xonar DX, so my options are:
buy FiiO E6 er FiiO E11 (if e11 is really way better) + my Xonar DX
or
try to sell my Xonar DX and buy one Sound Blaster Z (only if it really improve my surrounding in fps games)
Remember, i don't have lots of money to spent now, so, i need to think in terms of cost benefit.

 
Adding an amplifier is not really going to effect surround sound (the Xonar DX's Dolby Headphone surround sound).
Adding the amplifier is more about improving audio quality.
 
Unless you are going to replace the Xonar DX with something like the Sound Blaster Z,
i would not recommend selling the Xonar DX, the Xonar DX is a good value.
 
You can read up and asking on this thread about switching from the Xonar DX to the SB-Z.
Xonar's Dolby Headphones verses Creative SBX headphone surround sound.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envys-headphone-gaming-guide-1-14-2016-final-section-updated/34140#post_12332820
(I myself do prefer to use the Asus Xonar products, over Creative Labs products)
 
The FiiO E6 only works off it's battery and you can't use it while it recharges.
While the FiiO A3 (E11K) can power it's amplifier off USB power or it's built in battery.
The older version, the E11, will only run off it's battery and can't use it while it recharges.
 
Guess you could just leave the HD598 plugged directly into the Xonar DX and not get an amplifier.
If you really do not have any issues with the HD598's sound quality, while it's plugged directly into the Xonar DX, then I guess you do not have to get a separate external headphone amplifier.