Is this a good DAC?
Jul 31, 2010 at 3:17 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 7

The_Blood_Raven

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Hello, I have been using my on-board sound from my Biostar T5XE, which is the best on-board I've heard BTW, but I would like an upgrade.  The problem?  I have two of these in SLI:
http://pden.zotac.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=257&category_id=120&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
 
They are triple slot cards, so I have absolutely no slot left for a sound card.  And I'm assuming this is crap:
http://us.store.creative.com/Sound-Blaster-XFi-Surround-5.1/M/B0017QQQAE.htm
 
So I was wondering what kind of DAC would you recommend?
 
Thanks.
 
Jul 31, 2010 at 3:54 PM Post #2 of 7
I've heard these recommended a lot, and I may be able to get them used if I'm lucky.  What are the differences between these two?:
http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=42
http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=44
 
Jul 31, 2010 at 8:55 PM Post #3 of 7
As a suggestion, you can line out to something like an Audio-gd "Sparrow" or a "Fun."
 
Lots of relatively inexpensive DAC/Amps out there to choose from.
 
Hope the above suggestion helps move your forward in your sojourn.
 
L3000.gif

 
Jul 31, 2010 at 9:19 PM Post #4 of 7
Thanks, that is looking promising.  I'm not really hooked on a portable DAC/amp as it is now.
 
How is the iBasso's DAC?  Will I miss out much over the sparrow in terms of SQ?
 
Jul 31, 2010 at 9:28 PM Post #5 of 7
I really don't know.
 
My sound system is the computer.  Personally, I'd just grab something that's within your budget constraints and you'll be good.
 
Decent headphones like the Sennheiser HD-650's coupled to a top end power supply for the puter and some sort of decent external DAC/Amp combination and you should be good.
 
With a graphics card set up like you have, are you a power gamer?  What are your stated goals with this upgrade?
 
???
 
 
Jul 31, 2010 at 11:33 PM Post #6 of 7
I'm a PC gamer and PC enthusiast.  I'm trying to price a good DAC/amp If I decide to upgrade my current PC cans, the ATH-M50s which is possible.  I'm not sure if I'm in the market right now, but I wanted to see how feasible it would be if I decide to upgrade.  I do not have those GPUs yet, they are being shipped as we speak so I'm a bit low on money right now.  Now that I know there are a good few decent options, upgrading is looking better,  I might have to go take a look at some DT 990s, 880s, HFI-2400s, or maybe some Pro 750s.  I like my ATH-M50s, but I find them to be a little lighter on the detail and slower on the bass than what I expected.
 
Aug 1, 2010 at 1:30 AM Post #7 of 7
Have you checked out the Sennheiser PC 350's for gaming purposes yet?
 

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