[Mortalcoil]

As the title of the thread suggests.Using a pair of Grados directly from my pc(ampless),via a sound balster live card.
Would I be better off upgrading my sound card or better to go for an amp?
If you could only pick one route (upgrade),which would it be?.Where do you think I would notice more of a difference in quality?

Feedback appreciated.

 

[Jbucla2005]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mortalcoil As the title of the thread suggests.Using a pair of Grados directly from my pc(ampless),via a sound balster live card. Would I be better off upgrading my sound card or better to go for an amp? If you could only pick one route (upgrade),which would it be?.Where do you think I would notice more of a difference in quality? Feedback appreciated.

sound card.

 

[penguindude]

Definitely your sound card. Your Blaster Live is considered to be a sub-par for music in my opinion. An amp only amplifies the "bad part" of your source.

 

[compuryan]

yes i also think you should upgrade your soundcard first, before amp.

I also have a question. I have a Creative Xfi Xtrememusic sound card, which I like for the gaming I do. Is this sufficient enough of a sound card for audio purposes? I know something else like the audigy2 zs or an emu would be better, but this should get the job done pretty well eh?

 

[Solude]

Emu 1212m and reterminate the Grado RS2 to be balanced. All in probably under $200USD. Not going to get better than that $ for $.

 

[Solude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by compuryan I know something else like the audigy2 zs or an emu would be better...

Not sure where you heard that. The X-Fi series is the first SoundBlaster line to be musicable, not a word but you get the picture. The Audigy series was resampling crap. X-Fi, Emu, RME, ESI, M-Audio, Lynx all good stuff.

 

[Mortalcoil]

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[afobisme]

im not even going the computer route. i bought an mp3 player, and then an amp. ultra portable, though it's not the same as playing music through your PC.

 

[hYdrociTy]

Ever seen the Chaintech AV-710? its like 30 bucks. Since your phones are pretty high end, I suggest the offerings from Onkyo. They are very simple, use very choice components, and if you dont game or anything like that then the Onkyo SE-90 pci card would be awsome. Its loaded to boot with all the stuff you need, none of the junk you dont.

Edit:
I never really liked Creative's "mp3 better than studio quality" approach. Its pointless to get XFI unless you game, and even then only if you do, only very modern games tax your system enough for hardware 3d audio to actually help. The xfi eqs and dsps for music, for whatever its worth is really just a gimmick. Stick with the non-gaming cards like onkyo, e-mu, m-audio, esi juli@, etc.