[cryticfarm]

Now, I just got into the sound card market, and I'm looking for something sub 100 Canadian dollars. I've found two sound cards I'm interested in, the HT Omega Striker and the AuzenTech X-Plosion. Look at the back of them, to be honest, I have no clue where I would plug my headphones in in the first place :\. So, can anyone help?

Also, I've been considering getting the Asus Xonar D1 aswell.

 

[ipumuk]

you need to tell us what you need the soundcard card for.

gaming? music? both? do you need 7.1 sound.
is stereo enough?
do you need an analog or digital output? or both?
do you need a recording ability?

etc. etc.

 

[cryticfarm]

Mostly music, a bit of gaming. Recording does not matter and I'm just going to be using headphones with the single tsr connectors.

 

[ipumuk]

what headphones will you be using?

do you have an amp?

do you have computer noise problems? to check turn up the volume without playing back any sound. you should hear monoton base noise/hiss. then move your mouse, start some programs, play a game (without sound). does the hiss change?

so far I would recommend a simple DAC at your price range. it will provide the best soundquality for the money spent.

 

[cryticfarm]

No amp, alessandro MS1.
Also, when I put the volume to max, either nothing is coming out of my headphones, or I'm deaf.

 

[ipumuk]

that is great news!

there is absolutely no need to spend any money on your soundcard.
you will not be able to hear a difference.

once you get more "delicate" headphones consider upgrading your source.
your source should cost 10-20% of your sound system (headphone rig).

 

[cryticfarm]

Oh never mind, when I plug in my cheap speakers to full, I can hear a hissing sound.

What would you recommend anyways?

 

[RallyMaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ipumuk /img/forum/go_quote.gif there is absolutely no need to spend any money on your soundcard. you will not be able to hear a difference.

I beg to differ.

 

[ipumuk]

i guess you have active speakers. that are speakers that you can turn on or off which means they have a built in amp. they do not tell you anything about the quality of your built in soundcard.

also, a steady monoton ground noise is normal. you can spend thousands of dollars on your system and you will still hear it when you turn your amp loud enough.

in your case it is just important that this ground noise does not change when your computer is busy (starting a programm or loading a game).

I would recommend you get some new headphones ;D - the ms1 is where it all begins!

 

[cryticfarm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ipumuk /img/forum/go_quote.gif i guess you have active speakers. that are speakers that you can turn on or off which means they have a built in amp. they do not tell you anything about the quality of your built in soundcard. also, a steady monoton ground noise is normal. you can spend thousands of dollars on your system and you will still hear it when you turn your amp loud enough. in your case it is just important that this ground noise does not change when your computer is busy (starting a programm or loading a game). I would recommend you get some new headphones ;D - the ms1 is where it all begins!

Are you sure though? Like seriously, I'm on freaking realtek integrated right now.


So should I get a DAC or a Sound Card?
Also, where could I find a DAC in Canada?

 

[ipumuk]

get either:

HA NG27 USB Sound Card + Mini Headphone Amp - eBay (item 350240031937 end time Dec-12-09 03:42:35 PST)

or

HOTAUDIO BIT-PERFECT USB DAC HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER AMP - eBay (item 280390189063 end time Nov-25-09 08:41:47 PST)

the ha ng27 is probably the better overall product. it comes with an own power-supply, which is its biggest advantage. it is engineered and produced in china.

the "bit perfect" is handmade in the USA and you will receive the best support imaginable. it is ugly

you can not go wrong with either of these.

 

[Armaegis]

Actually, the HotAudio stuff is made in Canada.

 

[cryticfarm]

Can't I just buy that here directly from the hotaudio site?
BIT PERFECT USB DAC HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER [BIT PERFECT USB DAC AMP] - $62.00 : HOTAUDIO.COM, Hand Made Audio Perfection!

Also, will a 3.5mm output work for this? Or do I need to grab a convertor?

 

[ipumuk]

you can also buy it directly at his homepage. it will be the same person processing your order and giving you support.

this dac/amp combination has a 3.5mm output and a rca output. you can plugin your headphones directly.

 

[cryticfarm]

No I mean like output of my sound card.
Oh wait, does that come from the USB?

So this will be better than all the things suggested in OP?