Number Cruncher vs Alien DAC vs X-Fi
Feb 27, 2007 at 2:08 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 13

i-Cab

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Hi, I currently have a Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic, and I was wondering if the Entech Number Cruncher or the DIY Alien DAC would have any significant improvement over the DAC of the X-Fi. I currently have a Audio Technica ATH-A900 with no amp, used for music and games. I plan to upgrade to either a DT770/80 or a HD580 in the future with an amp. I was just wondering if the Number Cruncher or the Alien DAC would be better than the X-Fi.

Thanks

side question: is it common to add a coaxial or toslink to an Alien DAC?
 
Feb 27, 2007 at 2:22 AM Post #2 of 13
well an external DAC does improve the sound of the x-fi however you will need an amp because a DAC will have a line level output.

the alien dac is a usb dac so using would would bypass your x-fi.
 
Feb 27, 2007 at 8:49 AM Post #3 of 13
I don't think either of those are clearly better. I'd stick with what you have and put the money towards better headphones or a better amp (in that order).

Edit: Side answer: No, the Alien DAC is analog-out only. If you want a digital out then there are specialist DIY USB-to-S/PDIF projects (phew!), but your X-Fi should do that already with no problem.
 
Mar 2, 2007 at 9:29 AM Post #4 of 13
What's the next step up from a X-Fi? Micro DAC, or a Spit Fire?

Side question: oh I wanted to have a digital in for the Alien DAC; what's with the thing about USB and electrical noises and such?
 
Mar 2, 2007 at 9:45 AM Post #5 of 13
Oh, I see. No, the Alien DAC is strictly USB-in only at this point. To be honest, it is a very simple design (although the simple designs are often the best!). It has a single chip that takes USB and converts it to analog. Adding other chips to handle S/PDIF kinda defeats the point
biggrin.gif


There are other designs that you can build that are both S/PDIF only and S/PDIF-and-USB combo for the inputs. Hang around the DIY board and you'll hear of them.
 
Mar 2, 2007 at 9:58 AM Post #6 of 13
Quote:

Originally Posted by Calroth /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I don't think either of those are clearly better. I'd stick with what you have and put the money towards better headphones or a better amp (in that order).

Edit: Side answer: No, the Alien DAC is analog-out only. If you want a digital out then there are specialist DIY USB-to-S/PDIF projects (phew!), but your X-Fi should do that already with no problem.



I believe all DACs are analog out only.

Whether you feed your DAC via USB, TOSLINK or S/PDIF, you're going to be a lot better off using an external one. Computers are *very* noisy electrically, and your soundcard picks that up. There's a mess of RFI in there, and it gets added to your source. The resolution or quality of the soundcard is irrelevant; think of the RFI as throwing a handful of sand into a very expensive paint job. You'll still have the great paint, but the overall effect will be ruined.

Go external. Both the Alien and the Entech are good. There are many others, as well. You may need an amp, but that's always a worthy investment. If you're thinking of building an Alien, you should think about building an amp, too.
 
Mar 2, 2007 at 11:33 AM Post #7 of 13
Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Computers are *very* noisy electrically, and your soundcard picks that up. There's a mess of RFI in there, and it gets added to your source. The resolution or quality of the soundcard is irrelevant; think of the RFI as throwing a handful of sand into a very expensive paint job. You'll still have the great paint, but the overall effect will be ruined.


I'll just say that many, many, many people are using internal sound cards with their computer and are happy with the result, both in terms of their sound and how they show up in tests.

The Alien DAC is very nice and has a lot of strengths... but being superior to an X-Fi isn't one of them! And even if it was an improvement, I doubt it would be much. That's why I advise you to put your money elsewhere.
 
Mar 17, 2007 at 5:22 AM Post #8 of 13
Sorry for bumping a somewhat old thread, but I wanted to add a comment here.

I've used the E-MU 1212M and X-Fi Platinum (Xtrememusic w/ a front bay input panel) as sources. There was an immediate perceived improvement with the Entech 203.2 in my system. I try not to overexaggurate, but the Entech mopped the floor with those soundcards. It was sort of irritating to have read all of the gushing over the 1212m a while back, to buying it and dealing with the user-unfriendlyness of Patchmix, only for it's DAC to be clearly outmatched by a $35 offering. Albeit an incredible value of a $35 offering.
 
Mar 17, 2007 at 2:36 PM Post #10 of 13
Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Computers are *very* noisy electrically, and your soundcard picks that up. There's a mess of RFI in there, and it gets added to your source. The resolution or quality of the soundcard is irrelevant; think of the RFI as throwing a handful of sand into a very expensive paint job. You'll still have the great paint, but the overall effect will be ruined.


Every time someone states that, I want to show them the noise level graph (2nd graph down) and ask them to point out the scary "mess of RFI".

To the OP:
Assuming your other components are decent (e.g. you don't have a $20 power supply unit and some cheap no-name motherboard) you are fine with internal cards. I seriously doubt that a low-volume product for <$200 will provide any improvement over X-fi. Of course, you may just prefer the sound signature... some people like Soundblaster Live! over ESI Juli@, and some people love Bose.
 
Mar 17, 2007 at 5:22 PM Post #11 of 13
Elite PRO was noticeable but you decide if it´s worth 300 buck... I suspect it´s hard to find external DACS that sounds significantly better for less money. Unless you want a total other sound signature than what the X-fi gives you.

Elite PRO still has the X-fi sound but it´s a bit fuller and detailed.
 
Mar 20, 2007 at 5:26 AM Post #13 of 13
or... if you are interested, look at the "hot rodding x-fi" thread...

So far, from what people has said, they sound great after the mod
 

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