[event]

So I don't really need 7.1 support since I don't even have speakers (apart from on my monitor) so I dont know what I should get for good sound quality. I'm listening on Grado SR-225's

.

So far, I'm thinking X-Fi XtremeMusic, Auzentech X-Plosion, or Auzentech X-Mystique in order to have 7.1 support with DTS for the future, if I ever am able to get speakers again. However, I hear that music perfomance for the X-Fi isn't up to snuff. Back when I had my last X-Fi it was great for 5.1 speakers, but I never had really good headphones to hear the headphone quality.

Now, What about an Amp/DAC? Could I get a decent Amp or USB DAC for $60? I don't know anything about Amps or DAC's so bear with me.

I just don't want to have to deal with onboard sound. On the computer I'm using right now I can hear static from electric interference from the computer processing changes in the GUI, like moving windows/moving the mouse. I guess it needs shielding.

 

[infinitesymphony]

You won't find much of an upgrade for $60. The absolute bare minimum would be a Chaintech AV-710 card as your source and a cheap CMoy headphone amplifier. It's probably a good idea to save your money and wait for something better.

 

[dkjohnso]

For USB dacs in the $60 range, I can recommend the M-Audio Transit. It's analog out is quite decent for the price. However, IMO it doesn't drive the 225's that well. I guess it could be adequate until you have money for an amp in the future.

I'm inclined to agree with the previous poster: save up your money for a definite upgrade.

 

[TheVinylRipper]

Are you using an on the mobo sound card?

If so, upgrade to something better but cheap. (I'm cheap but I wouldn't make a good upgrade

)

For $25 shipped this is going to sound much better than an on board sound card.

If you want to wait around and bid you can get them for considerably less than that. I think I paid around $10 shipped for mine.

Two 18 bit ADC's for recording and six 20 bit DAC's for playback.

And for just under $30, this would be a dead easy upgrade..

See this thread for some seriously cheap upgrades for headphone sound which will at least greatly reduce your problems with electrical noise from the mobo.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=199506

Once you have done that you can go ahead and save for the system you really want while not suffering the problems you are complaining about in the meantime.