[sxulocktor]

hello people!!

well, finally i decided to buy one of this cards:

HTOMEGA CLaro PLus+ 250 dollars

Asus XONAR Essence STX 306 dollars


the card will be used with a pair of Sennheiser HD555

which one should i buy, AND WHY?


thank you!!!


PD: the prices are much more higher than in the U.S. because i live in argentina and here the Electronic products are MUCH more expensive than in USA.

 

[Hookem]

In my opinion...None...Why buy a sound card when for 350 dollars you can get a USB/DAC with headphone amp ?

Many choices that would kill any PCI/ePCI sound card on the market.

Even a Fubar III should destroy either of those.

USB Audio - USB Headphone Amp - USB DAC Headphone Amp - Fubar III USB DAC / Headphone Amplifier

For 350 dollars you should be able to buy a very good USB/DAC Headphone Amp.

In my humble opinion of course !!!!

 

[DeusEx]

Maybe he games? Then again, a good DAC would still be somewhat better..

 

[sxulocktor]

and what about EMU 0404 ???

is this good?

i can g et it for 275 dollars.

 

[Hookem]

Headphone output is not supposed to be so good.

 

[RicHSAD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hookem /img/forum/go_quote.gif In my opinion...None...Why buy a sound card when for 350 dollars you can get a USB/DAC with headphone amp ? Many choices that would kill any PCI/ePCI sound card on the market. Even a Fubar III should destroy either of those. USB Audio - USB Headphone Amp - USB DAC Headphone Amp - Fubar III USB DAC / Headphone Amplifier For 350 dollars you should be able to buy a very good USB/DAC Headphone Amp. In my humble opinion of course !!!!

Maybe if those were US dollars yeah. There is no way the STX cost 350$ US. I think STX is very hard to beat in its price point, especially considering all the extra features you get.

 

[Hookem]

Oh make no mistake...I also really like the Asus STX.

Great for stereo and headphone use.

Rollable opamps...Nice ePCI sound card.

And the OP lives in Argentina so the 306.00 is probably what it will cost him in his country in US dollars.

Just for that kind of money it would seem he could purchase a USB/DAC Headphone amp much like the Fubar III for about the same money.

That chances are will sound better than either of the cards he is considering.

I like the Asus...A friend has one paired with some Mackie MR5's and his setup sounds great.

IMHO a USB/DAC Headphone amp would sound better.

 

[koven]

the STX is nice but i would go with an external DAC/amp too

 

[tosehee]

STX Essence is my vote. It can drive your headphone easily, and it's better built/enclosed, and can play with opamp as you like.

 

[tosehee]

However, if you want a spdif header on the board for possible bnc/rca line, HTOMEGA CLaro PLus is the way to go. Essence do not have the header.