[Claus1100xx]

I use my computer as the main source for music. Right now I run the xitel hifi prolink to a PPA headphone amp to HD650. I'd like to upgrade the source a bit, since the xitel is probably not the greatest source. What would you recommend? External or internal soundcard? Is the E-MU a considerable step up? Should I swing for the highest model 1820m or is the 1212/0404 enough for headhones? What exactly are the differences between those soundcards?

Any other options for good soundcards or would a USB DAC be a better idea? I'm just clueless on what would provide me with the best sound. Help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[terrymx]

i do not know of the source you currently have. i think the 1820m is more for advance sound recording so you might not need it. i heard teh 1212m and 0404 and they are excellent. i prefer the 1212m more for a more neutral sound. the 0404 has more bass and more forward sound. even the 0404 by itself you're getting a big portion of the 1212m performance though.

 

[Claus1100xx]

they just advertised the xitel as a great sounding source because it is outside the pc. not sure how much to trust that. mainly used it to run to my speaker amp amd now abused for the headphone amp.
seems like the e-mu is preferred source to run to an amp? am I correct in that assumption?

 

[Claus1100xx]

or what's the advantage to run it to a dac then?