How to connect bookshelf sterio speakers to a PC with noisy onboard audio

[Silence89]

Hi,
I have a desktop PC with an MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming motherboard (Realtek ALC1150 codec)
I am getting a Microlab Solo 7C speakers, but trying to avoid using the onboard audio on my PC (either the onboard audio is noisy or the currently connected generic speakers are really horrible).
Currently I have an Astro A50 headphones connected to an Asus Xonar U3 via Toslink. So i guess i cannot utilize the U3 for both the headphone and speakers.
I am looking at dedicated DACs, but almost all of them seem to be designed for audio recording, something i will never need.
I am simply looking to get a good sound quality from the new Solo 7C speakers (music and movies mainly) without breaking the bank. something around $50.
what should i do?

 

[PurpleAngel]

DACs do not come with the ability to record audio, sound cards and Audio Interfaces do (no big deal).
You might find a used FiiO E10K USB-DAC/amp for around $50.

 

[Silence89]

DACs do not come with the ability to record audio, sound cards and Audio Interfaces do (no big deal).
You might find a used FiiO E10K USB-DAC/amp for around $50.

Oh thanks for the clarification, i knew something was off with those 'DACs'.
Since my speakers are active, the DAC's power and output impedance is not important, right?
I just wanted to know what to focus on when looking at DACs.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Oh thanks for the clarification, i knew something was off with those 'DACs'.
Since my speakers are active, the DAC's power and output impedance is not important, right?
I just wanted to know what to focus on when looking at DACs.

As you have both active (self-powered) speakers and headphones.
Really just need a DAC with both a line-output and a separate headphone jack.
With the FiiO E10K, you can connect the active speakers to the E10K's line-output jack and the headphones to the headphone jack.
Would need a cable with a 1/8" (3.5mm) TRS stereo plug and RCA jacks, to connect the E10K to the Solo 7C.

Your current Xonar U3 comes with Dolby Headphone surround sound.
The E10K USB-DAC/amp is just basic stereo audio.

 

[Silence89]

Your current Xonar U3 comes with Dolby Headphone surround sound.
The E10K USB-DAC/amp is just basic stereo audio.

Yes, that's why i was thinking about keeping my current headphones connected to the Xonar U3, and get a second DAC for the new stereo ones.
If only there was a way to connect both of them to the Xonar U3 :')...
Is it possible to use a 3.5 jack splitter so as to connect both of them to the U3?
will the Dolby Headphone Surround output its signal over the two channels of the analog output of U3? how will a regular stereo speaker receive and play such signal?
Thanks.

 

[SenyorC]

Personally I would get a DAC with line out and headphone out (as @PurpleAngel mentions) and forget the U3. You will get the same "virtual surround" sound from any DAC to your headphones, as they will still be stereo headphones (you aren't losing any channels). The speakers, connected to the line out, will just play stereo.

(edited to add: you can still use the U3 with whatever new dac you choose but not at the same time as Windows (I am gueesing you are on Windows) limits output to one audio output at one time. You can easily switch between them via the audio I/O setting though )

 

[Silence89]

Personally I would get a DAC with line out and headphone out (as @PurpleAngel mentions) and forget the U3. You will get the same "virtual surround" sound from any DAC to your headphones, as they will still be stereo headphones (you aren't losing any channels). The speakers, connected to the line out, will just play stereo.

yeah this seems the only solution.
However, I still do not know if it is possible to connect both the headphones and the stereo speakers to the same Xonar U3 i currently own. Using a 3.5mm jack splitter maybe? since both the headphone and speakers are active.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Yes, that's why i was thinking about keeping my current headphones connected to the Xonar U3, and get a second DAC for the new stereo ones.
If only there was a way to connect both of them to the Xonar U3 :')...
Is it possible to use a 3.5 jack splitter so as to connect both of them to the U3?
will the Dolby Headphone Surround output its signal over the two channels of the analog output of U3? how will a regular stereo speaker receive and play such signal?
Thanks.

Connect a decent optical DAC to the Xonar U3 and a headphone amplifier (also with a line-output) connect to the speakers.

 

[Silence89]

thank you guys for the help @PurpleAngel , @SenyorC