Ok , tried everything, but sound is [censored] from HD555

[neo_x]

Alright,

I think I need to get a new soundcard

I've got onboard sound so the cans sound horrid. Play games most of the time so need to get an audigy, unless there is a better card out there.

The choice to make now is,

Audigy 2 ZS

OR

Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro


OR

Some other


Appreciate any help, Thanks.

Cheers

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Why do you need an audigy?

Other sound cards do work with games, you know.

What is your budget like?

 

[neo_x]

its £70 (I can get an Audigy 2 ZS 7.1 here for £50, and Platinum for £120 which is out of my range....)

Like I said, not really into music - just 20% of the time.

 

[sgrossklass]

I guess the "normal" 2ZS would work fine for you (isn't the Platinum Pro the thing with the drive bay that'll probably be far beyond your budget?), just be sure to use good-quality resampling to 48 kHz for music. That said, you may want to check prices for the Revo 5.1 or maybe Prodigy 7.1LT nonetheless.

 

[neo_x]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgrossklass I guess the "normal" 2ZS would work fine for you (isn't the Platinum Pro the thing with the drive bay that'll probably be far beyond your budget?), just be sure to use good-quality resampling to 48 kHz for music. That said, you may want to check prices for the Revo 5.1 or maybe Prodigy 7.1LT nonetheless.

All I wan't is a soundcard which will drive these *censored* expensive set of cans without the need of a very expensive amp.

Is Revo or Prodigy good for games or on par with the audigy ?

 

[b-sides]

get the chaintech av710. it is much better suited for headphones after a little amping, and it will also cost you less.

 

[gshan]

You wouldn't happen to have the 120-ohm version of the 555s, would you?

 

[renesis_au]

is there a huge difference between the 120ohm and 50ohm hd555 if an amp isnt used? if its only minor, i dont see it as a big problem, but if there is significantly reduced soundstage, etc it might be a problem

 

[neo_x]

Quote:

Originally Posted by renesis_au is there a huge difference between the 120ohm and 50ohm hd555 if an amp isnt used? if its only minor, i dont see it as a big problem, but if there is significantly reduced soundstage, etc it might be a problem

I've got the 120ohm version... is that bad

 

[SyntheticDream]

that just means that your cans will be harder to drive and will need an amp to sound good out of most devices...

 

[neo_x]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SyntheticDream that just means that your cans will be harder to drive and will need an amp to sound good out of most devices...

so whats the cheapest (but with quality) amp I can get ?

Is it worthwhile getting an amp if I am upgrading the soundcard ?

 

[sgrossklass]

I'd upgrade the sound card first. The 2ZS uses a 4556 opamp as a headphone amp and should be able to drive HD555s decently. (Incidentally, the 120 ohm versions of the HD555/595 are a bit harder to drive than the HD590, which sits right between the 120 and 50 ohm versions. Still they're not really *hard* to drive in absolute terms.) Only if you're still not content with the sound then should you consider an amp (a pre-built CMOY appears a popular starter's choice over the pond, but finding one over here in ol' Europe isn't as easy).

 

[sgrossklass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by neo_x Is Revo or Prodigy good for games or on par with the audigy ?

You'll lose a few fps, and EAX will not sound as good, so no, for gaming they are not as good (but then, what is?). For your priorities the 2ZS should be a good choice.