[cosmo]

I know that all of you say that bad source=bad output, and that sound cards can't drive a pair of headphones (my HD590) without an amp. I have an Inspiron 3800, and i'm looking at the sound card specs. Apparently, it has an ESS Maestro 3i, which has a 16 bit (analog to digital and digital to analog). From what I understand (which could be wrong) is that the reason why sound cards are a bad source is that when the volume is turned up all the way, even when there is no music, static can be heard. I just turned the sound all the way up (without music), and there is a very faint hiss. The hiss is very soft (once again, there is no music playing), and not audible at all when the volume is set to safe listening levels (even with the music off). Does this mean that my sound card's headphone jack is actually a good source, or is there more to the reasons why sound cards aren't a good source besides hissing sounds?

Thanks!

 

[Duncan]

To me, they aren't that good a source, because they lack dynamics...

But, that doesn't mean they are bad...

Use your own ears as a guide... if you like the sound ~ then its good... thats my advice to you

(I've just moved your thread to the 'Source' forum)

 

[JahJahBinks]

A good soundcard with high S/N ratio doesn't produce audible hissing sound.

 

[cosmo]

What do you mean by they lack dynamics? I don't know too much about sound cards, and I don't know what that term means in relation to sound cards.

 

[Wodgy]

The ESS sound chip is among the worst laptop sound "cards" I've heard. This isn't such bad news though, you can get an inexpensive outboard DAC like the M-Audio Sonica and be confident that it'll sound much better than what you have now. Some of these (like the Sonica) need an external amp to drive headphones, unfortunately. You might also want to consider the Echo Indigo, which doesn't need an external amp. Just stay away from the Xitel Hi-Fi Link, it's terrible.

 

[cosmo]

Could you please elaborate and tell me why its bad? Would mp3 sound better on a different sound card? Also, you say the Sonica needs an amp to drive headphones...would you say that the ESS needs an amp to drive headphones (i just want to know this since the ess chip seems to be well amplified)?

 

[Wodgy]

It's bad because there's significant noise (turn up the volume and you'll hear static, not quiet) and the frequency response is poor (there is excessive treble and poor bass). Don't trust my word for it though. Find a CD you like, and borrow someone's portable CD player. Play the CD on both the computer and the PCDP and compare how they sound (use headphones for this test). You'll find that the portable CD player sounds much better. If, on the other hand, you don't hear a difference, then you've just saved yourself some money!

(Also, yes, MP3s would sound better with a different sound device.)

 

[cosmo]

You're right, the bass on this thing is terrible. It has none.