onboard sound vs new sound card ---> does this really make a difference?

[GoRedwings19]

well you do have a very good point. It just how you see it. Some people will spend a lot more money on the source than on amplification or headphones/speakers while others do it the other way around.

I am not that bothered about the sound of the xfi for music replay purposes. I only want it for games and movies.

I could suppose hook it up to an offboard dac using the digital connections therefore using the PC as a transport, but at this time it's not a viable option for me.

I mean I am using them with a really cheapie set of creative labs speakers which are far inferior sounding to the ibuds, so I would not see any improvements if I used a expensive dac or amps. Why would I spend all that money on something if there was only a very slight difference. At least if I have a nice set of speakers then I would want to partner it with something which allows the ability of the speakers to show thorugh. Seeming as I am using a @$100 soundcard I will use a $40 speaker set.

 

[DrDobs]

Yes, this is much my point. My original question was whether I should be buying a sound card at all. Newer motherboards appear to be shipping with onboard audio solutions that aren't too bad. RealTek's newest ALC885 chipset evidently has S/N ratio's of better than 100db via the analog outs. This is probably approaching the quality of soundcards of just a few years back. It's also HDCP complaint and 100% certified with Windows Vista.

Again, going to one of these Super T-Amp's or using the digital out to go to one of these basic home AV receivers I just don't know how much the averge person who wants above average sound is going to notice the difference when driving either a 2.1 or 2.0 setup that costs in the $200 - $500 range.

Does anybody have some direct comparisons out there?

 

[alex_cs]

my post was for someone who wanted bit perfect audio for good gear down the chain. considering all you want is bookshelf speakers, then dont get anything.

 

[droopy1592]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrDobs Yes, this is much my point. My original question was whether I should be buying a sound card at all. Newer motherboards appear to be shipping with onboard audio solutions that aren't too bad. RealTek's newest ALC885 chipset evidently has S/N ratio's of better than 100db via the analog outs. This is probably approaching the quality of soundcards of just a few years back. It's also HDCP complaint and 100% certified with Windows Vista. Again, going to one of these Super T-Amp's or using the digital out to go to one of these basic home AV receivers I just don't know how much the averge person who wants above average sound is going to notice the difference when driving either a 2.1 or 2.0 setup that costs in the $200 - $500 range. Does anybody have some direct comparisons out there?

the realtek is ok of ur going bookshelf speakers... but for phones or higher end HT/Music stuff you need a better dedicated card. My realtek was fine pluged into my PC HK speakers, but there is a world of difference with Grados.

 

[DrDobs]

Thanks for replying here. I suppose it may also depend on what type of bookshelf speakers we are referring to though as well.

I've been convinced to go with a dedicated solution, so I bought the Juli@ PCI card. I'll report back my thoughts when it all gets going.