[PurpleAngel]

Guess I'll just use the u3 then. I don't think i can hear much different from coax input 24/192 compared from usb 24/96.
I'm trying not to stretch my 1500usd budget, so any unnecessary items must go.

The Creative Sound Blaster Z (SB1500), $100, comes with a way better DAC feature (CS4398) and a more powerful headphone amplifier, then the U3.

 

[martin vegas]

  Repost from Nameless PC Gaming Thread
 
 

 
PC True Audio, PS4 True Audio, Xbone's SHAPE similarly to use. Talk about REAL hardware accelerated audio explosion. The future can only be bright.
 
http://www.maximumpc.com/everything_you_wanted_know_about_amd%E2%80%99s_new_trueaudio_technology_2013
 
What is True Audio?
 
 
 

I think the next gen consoles have the cheaper wm8768 7.1 wolfson dacs http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/products/dacs/WM8768/‎

 

[conquerator2]

  I think the next gen consoles have the cheaper wm8768 7.1 wolfson dacs http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/products/dacs/WM8768/‎

 
It's not bad though.
 
Still could be considered an entry level audiophile DAC :]

 

[martin vegas]

 Some of these boards come with the same type of chips, but I am not 100% sure the exact boards..they don't say what chips they use!

 

[conquerator2]

U3 it is...
Anything partially dedicated >>> Realtek XXX :/
That is unusable for HPs... Yuck...
I'll get a cheapo Audio GD/Fiio/X Dac/amp unit down the line... again
The PX5 DSS is very good in that aspect for consoles :]

 

[Evshrug]

If I build a pc later early next year, are there any point for getting an internal soundcard if I already have the U3? Since for pc surround gaming, U3 is basically more than enough.
Maybe for music benefit, with coaxial/optical output (24/192) from the soundcard, rather just from USB (24/96)

Or... you could consider an AMD graphics card with the TrueAudio processing hardware built-in. Older games you'd probably still want something like the U3 to add 5.1 processing, but once the PS4 hits the scene and (hopefully) TrueAudio takes off, you wouldn't need a discreet sound processor.

TrueAudio probably should/will get it's own thread.

The Creative Sound Blaster Z (SB1500), $100, comes with a way better DAC feature (CS4398) and a more powerful headphone amplifier, then the U3.

Just bought a Sound Blaster Z, today on Amazon they're selling the retail model with red EMI shield for $65 shipped!

 

[widdyjudas]

Thanks for all the reply.
If I want to buy a soundcard, I just want to spend 50usd max. However, if its just benefit to gaming, then I just use the U3. If it also benefit to music, I will consider it.
I already got my own Amp/Dac, Aune X1 mk2.
No to Amd gpu, I got experience with amd notorious driver problem

I will go with GTX 770

 

[Evshrug]

Then the little cheapie "U3" or "X-Fi Go! Pro" are really the only options in your budget.
The SoundBlaster Omni looks like a cool external PC option too, also with optical output, but lacks console optical input.

 

[widdyjudas]

Then the little cheapie "U3" or "X-Fi Go! Pro" are really the only options in your budget.
The SoundBlaster Omni looks like a cool external PC option too, also with optical output, but lacks console optical input.

If I want sound card, I prefer internal...
Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[theseeker]

Many thanks for the reviews! This thread helped me out a great deal.

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

The Creative Sound Blaster Z (SB1500), $100, comes with a way better DAC feature (CS4398) and a more powerful headphone amplifier, then the U3.

If you're gonna bypass the U3's dac and amp, it doesn't matter what is better, since all you're using the U3 for is to add Dolby Headphone to the digital signal. There is no DA conversion or amping in the mix. Pretty sure getting an external optical dac and amp will be much better than that Creative soundcard.

 

[aserate]

  Hey Mad Lust!

First, thanks for the in-depth guide of this topic.
I'm very interested in buying a gaming headset (or w/ souncard) so my googling brought me here. Sad to say the choices of headphones/soundcard here are limited, not to mention my budget.
 
Anyway, I'm currently eyeing on the Siberia V2 analog + budget sound card (xonar d* series maybe). Is that combination good? Or do you got something else on your mind. My budget would be about less than $130 for a headphone + soundcard combo. I'd be very much happy if you'll help me out on this one.

bump...

Can anyone help me w/ this? Much appreciated

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

I haven't had any experience with the V2 Siberia. It was fairly popular back in the day, so I'm sure it's at least a capable performer for it's price. All I know is that I liked the SLYR for it's price range, if you absolutely need a headset, not a headphone.

You can also just spend $20 or so on a Sportapro, snap off the drivers, and attach it to the cheap Parts Express headband, which equals a KSC35. That is a VERY capable headphone for cheap, and I prefer it over everything else under $100 that I have tried. Look at the KSC35 listing on the guide. There is a video I posted explaining what to do.

Your soundcard I belive has Dolby headphone so you're good there. i believe those Xonar soundcards all have a headphone jack that doubles as an optical out (don't quote me on this) once you set the proper options in the software. Then later on, you can buy a cheap dac with an optical input (Fiio D03k), and a decent amp which will be a better combo than using the soundcard alone, though it's more clutter. I'd personally just save up for a used Fiio E17 or something which is both a dac/amp which you can attach to the Xonar soundcard.

 

[aserate]

I haven't had any experience with the V2 Siberia. It was fairly popular back in the day, so I'm sure it's at least a capable performer for it's price. All I know is that I liked the SLYR for it's price range, if you absolutely need a headset, not a headphone.

You can also just spend $20 or so on a Sportapro, snap off the drivers, and attach it to the cheap Parts Express headband, which equals a KSC35. That is a VERY capable headphone for cheap, and I prefer it over everything else under $100 that I have tried. Look at the KSC35 listing on the guide. There is a video I posted explaining what to do.

Your soundcard I belive has Dolby headphone so you're good there. i believe those Xonar soundcards all have a headphone jack that doubles as an optical out (don't quote me on this) once you set the proper options in the software. Then later on, you can buy a cheap dac with an optical input (Fiio D03k), and a decent amp which will be a better combo than using the soundcard alone, though it's more clutter. I'd personally just save up for a used Fiio E17 or something which is both a dac/amp which you can attach to the Xonar soundcard.

Would have been eyeing on SLYR if it's available here, but it's not ... Even the Senn PC* series are not available.
That would be great but I am not into headsets, I am more into Circumaural headphones (preferably w/ mic in-line to lessen the clutter)

Anyway. Do you have suggestion on which xonar D* series is better to pick? (DG, DS, DX, DGX, etc.)
I am really on to Siberia V2 now cos of the limited choices
Unfortunatley I don't have the luxury to buy headset + soundcard + dac/amp. And that is quite cluttery i must say.

My main purpose for buying this is for the positional audio for gaming (mainly bf3/4), if this will help.
 

 

[conquerator2]

I haven't had any experience with the V2 Siberia. It was fairly popular back in the day, so I'm sure it's at least a capable performer for it's price. All I know is that I liked the SLYR for it's price range, if you absolutely need a headset, not a headphone.

You can also just spend $20 or so on a Sportapro, snap off the drivers, and attach it to the cheap Parts Express headband, which equals a KSC35. That is a VERY capable headphone for cheap, and I prefer it over everything else under $100 that I have tried. Look at the KSC35 listing on the guide. There is a video I posted explaining what to do.

Your soundcard I belive has Dolby headphone so you're good there. i believe those Xonar soundcards all have a headphone jack that doubles as an optical out (don't quote me on this) once you set the proper options in the software. Then later on, you can buy a cheap dac with an optical input (Fiio D03k), and a decent amp which will be a better combo than using the soundcard alone, though it's more clutter. I'd personally just save up for a used Fiio E17 or something which is both a dac/amp which you can attach to the Xonar soundcard.

Wait, so would any DAC work?
I mean I tried connecting the PX5 receiver to an external DAC via both the 1/8 jack, or toslink but it wouldn't work...
Is that different with a PC?
I am still a bit confused here