Questions regarding Vista, External DAC's, and an Elite Pro....

[HyperTension]

Alrighty... I am the new and proud owner of an Audio-GD Compass, (and still waiting on my Denon AH-D7000's) to upgrade from my current set of an X-Fi Elite Pro, Headroom Mini-Amp, and DT770 Pro's.


Since connecting my GD to the Elite Pro via Optical, I've noticed several things. 1) Sound in gaming seems a lot more "balanced" if you will. 2) I've lost control regarding improved gaming sound using 2.1 vs. Headphone in the audio control panel. 3) I thought that the Elite Pro would perform DDL and DTS decoding, but still get nothing but noise / static after activating it (any suggestions / resolutions are more than welcome here).

In addition... Is having EAX even worth it while using Vista? Can I loose the Elite Pro (sell as well as the Headroom Mini-Amp) and just run sound out via USB without any sound degradation with regards to gaming (I know that with FLAC / APE files that is a non-issue)?

The other question I have is wither or not to purchase a Xonar D2X to support above mention decoding? If so, will I loose a degree of functionality in gaming?

As you can see, I'm a bit torn on the caliber of sound regarding music vs. gaming, and I'm trying to balance it out (best of both).

Any suggestions / opinions are more than welcome and greatly encouraged.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperTension /img/forum/go_quote.gif Alrighty... I am the new and proud owner of an Audio-GD Compass, (and still waiting on my Denon AH-D7000's) to upgrade from my current set of an X-Fi Elite Pro, Headroom Mini-Amp, and DT770 Pro's. Since connecting my GD to the Elite Pro via Optical, I've noticed several things. 1) Sound in gaming seems a lot more "balanced" if you will. 2) I've lost control regarding improved gaming sound using 2.1 vs. Headphone in the audio control panel. 3) I thought that the Elite Pro would perform DDL and DTS decoding, but still get nothing but noise / static after activating it (any suggestions / resolutions are more than welcome here).

You should have better sound as the E-pro is just processing but your transfering the stream to the Compass for Digital to Analog Conversion.

The E-Pro should decode DD and DTS stream on your digital inputs. -IIRC.
Check over your settings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperTension /img/forum/go_quote.gif In addition... Is having EAX even worth it while using Vista? Can I loose the Elite Pro (sell as well as the Headroom Mini-Amp) and just run sound out via USB without any sound degradation with regards to gaming (I know that with FLAC / APE files that is a non-issue)?

Depends on who you ask I guess. Your card will also offer hardware acceleration for OpenAL. Direct Sound was removed from Vista so older games will require ALchemy to modify the output engine from direct sound to OpenAL. -If the game relies on DS.
If you get rid of the gaming card you lose the support it offers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperTension /img/forum/go_quote.gif The other question I have is wither or not to purchase a Xonar D2X to support above mention decoding? If so, will I loose a degree of functionality in gaming?

The D2X or any Xonar cards does not support digital Decoding they support Encoding. Are you refering to your digital inputs or outputs?
Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperTension /img/forum/go_quote.gif As you can see, I'm a bit torn on the caliber of sound regarding music vs. gaming, and I'm trying to balance it out (best of both). Any suggestions / opinions are more than welcome and greatly encouraged. Thanks in advance!

That is really the best setup considering your current gear.
You have the gaming functions of the E-Pro, but the upgraded sound of the compass.