macrog
100+ Head-Fier
I have an asus xonar STX soundcard with all 3 opamps upgraded to National lme49720nas. 1 month ago I purchased a Musiland monitor 02us external dac headphone amp.
I am very suprised that the musiland which cost significantly less than the xonar stx soundly beats it in all areas i.e. Detail, soundstage and pitch. Even the digital output of the stx is inferior to the monitor 02us. The specs of the stx suggest it is an audiophile product. Comparison with even budget hifi gear confirms it isn't.
Has anyone else compared the two ? I am considering discrete opamps in the stx to improve performance but have very little hope that an internal sound card can beat a competent external dac.
I am very suprised that the musiland which cost significantly less than the xonar stx soundly beats it in all areas i.e. Detail, soundstage and pitch. Even the digital output of the stx is inferior to the monitor 02us. The specs of the stx suggest it is an audiophile product. Comparison with even budget hifi gear confirms it isn't.
Has anyone else compared the two ? I am considering discrete opamps in the stx to improve performance but have very little hope that an internal sound card can beat a competent external dac.