[Zoltan99]

My sound card Audigy 2 ZS died and I need something to replace it with. I could go with a soundcard as recommended here http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f46/au...gaming-485004/ , but want to explore an external option.

My headphones are the Audio-Technica ATH-A700 (64 Ohm) and will be using all of this on a Linux system. I just want incredibly good sound quality and as little internal interference as possible. Though I am having a bit of trouble understanding how a Dac replace a soundcard and the benefits it gives, other than it being external.


All I do is watch tv/movies and listen to music. I dont play any games. I likely would prefer a portable unit if possible, but that forum seemed rather small.

What are the benifits, other than the Dac being external?
Do I still need a sound-card?
Does having a good sound card help at all?

 

[runswithaliens]

A sound card basically is an amp and a DAC. You can purchase an external Amp/DAC such as the E-MU 0404usb and it is connected via USB and bypasses the amp/DAC of the sound card.

Now then, you can also add another amp into the equation specifically to improve the performance of some headphones and that would be connected between your soundcard and your headphones (or between your external soundcard and the headphones). These headphone amps supply more juice to your headphones than the soundcard can typically provide. However, not all headphones need an additional amp but there are those that say the extra amping will still improve the lesser demanding phones.

Hope that helps...

 

[Zoltan99]

Ok, thank you but id also like to ask, what offers the best sound quality?

Just a Dac over USB
Dac fed by regular soundcard


I see the reason for it, but dont really understand how they compare to the different combinations, and if they are better what is good?

 

[schawo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoltan99 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok, thank you but id also like to ask, what offers the best sound quality? Just a Dac over USB Dac fed by regular soundcard I see the reason for it, but dont really understand how they compare to the different combinations, and if they are better what is good?

1. DAC: digital-to-analog converter. These are usually connected to the computer by USB. These doesn't provide headphone connection possibilities. They produce line level audio signal.
2. Amp: stereo amplifier, which amplifies the audio signal coming from a DAC.
3. Soundcards are DAC and amp combinations providing some limited headphone connectivity, however there are some soundcards dedicated for headphones.

Which is better? It depends on quality of the components. Good DAC and a good AMP can be better then a single soundcard.

Greeting from Hungary.

 

[Zoltan99]

Quote:

Originally Posted by schawo /img/forum/go_quote.gif 1. DAC: digital-to-analog converter. These are usually connected to the computer by USB. These doesn't provide headphone connection possibilities. They produce line level audio signal. 2. Amp: stereo amplifier, which amplifies the audio signal coming from a DAC. 3. Soundcards are DAC and amp combinations providing some limited headphone connectivity, however there are some soundcards dedicated for headphones. Which is better? It depends on quality of the components. Good DAC and a good AMP can be better then a single soundcard. Greeting from Hungary.

So what would you call something like the Ibasso portable dac's. They offer an amp, Dac and headphone out.



any product recommendations?

 

[Ypoknons]

Depends on whether you actually need portability and whether you'll upgrade headphones in the future.

 

[Blueiz]

Might want to take a look at this thread....

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/fir...if-out-456945/