[Royal Amethyst]

So I have a desktop PC that I use for writing, music, some video editing and high-end gaming. With it I'm using a Sennheiser HD 598 as an all-purpose headset connected to an internal Xonar Essence STX soundcard. The problem is that I want to travel a bit more and clear up some clutter at my workstation, so I'm considering rebuilding the PC down into a mini-ITX box. The problem with that is that mini-ITX solutions only offer one PCI-Express lane with no PCI slots. Obviously, if I want to keep it as a high-end gaming machine, I'll need to sacrifice my STX and keep my video card.
 
So I'm considering looking for a DAC or a DAC/amp combo and installing it in the 5.25" optical drive bay of the mini-ITX box, and plugging it into one of the internal USB headers (with an adapter, of course). That way I can move to a mini-ITX box solution without having to go back to integrated sound.
 
So if anyone knows what would be a comparable (or better) DAC replacement for the Essence STX, I'm open to suggestions. I suppose it would be a lot to ask for one without an external AC adapter so I don't have two cords coming from the mini-ITX box, but it's not a major concern.

 

[cel4145]

First, you should give us your budget.

So I'm considering looking for a DAC or a DAC/amp combo and installing it in the 5.25" optical drive bay of the mini-ITX box, and plugging it into one of the internal USB headers (with an adapter, of course). That way I can move to a mini-ITX box solution without having to go back to integrated sound.

Why not just get a small external DAC/amp that is portable? For instance, how about one of these that I just recommended in another thread:

http://www.jdslabs.com/products/84/c5d-amplifier-dac/
http://www.leckertonaudio.com/products/uha-6s-mkii/

 

[PurpleAngel]

  So I have a desktop PC that I use for writing, music, some video editing and high-end gaming. With it I'm using a Sennheiser HD 598 as an all-purpose headset connected to an internal Xonar Essence STX sound card. The problem is that I want to travel a bit more and clear up some clutter at my workstation, so I'm considering rebuilding the PC down into a mini-ITX box. The problem with that is that mini-ITX solutions only offer one PCI-Express lane with no PCI slots. Obviously, if I want to keep it as a high-end gaming machine, I'll need to sacrifice my STX and keep my video card.
 
So I'm considering looking for a DAC or a DAC/amp combo and installing it in the 5.25" optical drive bay of the mini-ITX box, and plugging it into one of the internal USB headers (with an adapter, of course). That way I can move to a mini-ITX box solution without having to go back to integrated sound.
 
So if anyone knows what would be a comparable (or better) DAC replacement for the Essence STX, I'm open to suggestions. I suppose it would be a lot to ask for one without an external AC adapter so I don't have two cords coming from the mini-ITX box, but it's not a major concern.

 
Check out the FiiO E10K and Schiit Fulls, both are small USB-DAC-Amps.
 
Or try to find the a mini ITX motherboard with good (or at least decent) on-board audio.

 

[Royal Amethyst]

First, you should give us your budget.
Why not just get a small external DAC/amp that is portable? For instance, how about one of these that I just recommended in another thread:

http://www.jdslabs.com/products/84/c5d-amplifier-dac/
http://www.leckertonaudio.com/products/uha-6s-mkii/

 
I didn't really post a budget because I didn't really know what my budget is, but let's say... under $200?
 

   
Check out the FiiO E10K and Schiit Fulls, both are small USB-DAC-Amps.
 
Or try to find the a mini ITX motherboard with good (or at least decent) on-board audio.

 
I've been considering the Schiit Fulla, but it seems like it'd be way underpowered if I ever wanted to upgrade. Also, I don't want to go to on-board audio because I'm used to Xonar Essence STX quality, which is why I'm looking for a DAC in a similar quality bracket.
 
Also, I realized I probably find a way to convert a powered DAC/amp's adapter or power port into the PC's molex or SATA power connectors. Any thoughts about that would help too.

 

[cel4145]

I didn't really post a budget because I didn't really know what my budget is, but let's say... under $200?

Based on what you say next, I'm not sure that there is something for $200 that meets all your criteria.

I've been considering the Schiit Fulla, but it seems like it'd be way underpowered if I ever wanted to upgrade. Also, I don't want to go to on-board audio because I'm used to Xonar Essence STX quality, which is why I'm looking for a DAC in a similar quality bracket.

Also, I realized I probably find a way to convert a powered DAC/amp's adapter or power port into the PC's molex or SATA power connectors. Any thoughts about that would help too.

If you get a USB dac/amp, I would think you could connect to one of the USB headers on your MB, if you have any extra ones. However, I'm not sure that USB dacs are designed with the shielding necessary to be inside a PC. That might be a problem with anything you put inside.

Why not go with an external USB DAC/amp? That seems your best bet. What about the Meridian Explorer: https://www.meridian-audio.com/products/personal-audio/explorer2/. Or the Geek Out 450: http://www.amazon.com/Geek-Out-450-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00JD0CQ6E

 

[Royal Amethyst]

Would you think a Modi 2/Magni 2 wouldn't be shielded enough in their respective aluminum cases to be inside a PC chassis? If the PC innards are such a hostile place, how do normal, unshielded sound cards exist in there just fine?
Well at any rate, I now have a lot of options and thoughts to consider.

 

[cel4145]

How would find room for the Modi and Magni in a mini ITX box???

However, if you do want to get all DIY putting something together inside, you could do the Objective 2 and ODAC

http://www.jdslabs.com/store/#objective2
http://www.jdslabs.com/store/#odac

The ODAC/O2 is a better dac/amp than the STX.

Build it into a drive bay and build a faceplate for it.

I have no idea if emi would be an issue. You could ask JDS Labs what they thought.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Would you think a Modi 2/Magni 2 wouldn't be shielded enough in their respective aluminum cases to be inside a PC chassis? If the PC innards are such a hostile place, how do normal, unshielded sound cards exist in there just fine?
Well at any rate, I now have a lot of options and thoughts to consider.

 
Trying to fit an external DAC/amp into a 5.25 computer bay is not something people usually try to do.
But your welcome to try and be the first one and show everyone else how to do it.
I'm thinking you should just get a used FiiO E17 (not E17K) and connect it to the optical port on the motherboard.

 

[Royal Amethyst]

If I could find a FiiO e17 used for $199 would you recommend it?

 

[cel4145]

If I could find a FiiO e17 used for $199 would you recommend it?

That's a lot to pay for an E17 given the price of the E17K and alternative USB DAC/amps.

 

[Royal Amethyst]

I was under the impression that the "K" variants were low-cost, low-quality versions of the regular classics.

 

[cel4145]

The E17K is the new, updated version of the E17. K is 2nd generation.

 

[cel4145]

Here is another unit that might work for you: http://audioengineusa.com/Store/D1-24-Bit-DAC

And might be small enough that you could take the faceplate off and built into a drivebay faceplate. Has optical input and USB.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  If I could find a FiiO e17 used for $199 would you recommend it?

 
A used E17 should be going for around $100, maybe a little less.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I was under the impression that the "K" variants were low-cost, low-quality versions of the regular classics.

 
Nope, the K versions are usually the newer and improved model and normally I would say to get the improved model, but the newer E17K does not have the optical input, like the older E17 (non-K).