[DoMakeSayThink]

Hi there! I am a proud owner of a pair for HD650s. I use them with the XONAR STX soundcard and i like it. However, i would like to go tube upgrade. 
I have been looking at the FOOAUDIO3 for a while and im starting to think. Is it worth it?
 
1. Will my soundcard be of use if i have an external amp?
2. Can i leave it on for all day? Can i game, see movies, listen to music.. leave and come back and go on? Or will it overheat or something?
3. Should i go for an cable upgrade instead?
 
Thanks for your help!

 

[DoMakeSayThink]

halp?

 

[crooner]

If you are using the digital outs of the soundcard, and the amp has a digital input, then there's a possibility of an upgrade in the sound, if the amp is better than the internal headphone amp of the soundcard.
 
You can also use the line level (fixed) output of the soundcard into conventional analog amp inputs.
 
It is better to turn off a tube amp when not in use to preserve the life of the tubes and from a reliability standpoint.