[johnvonmacz]

I'm currently using Sennheiser HD 380 Pro. I'm just wondering if $80 is worth it to get FiiO E10 or is my onboard audio good enough. Thanks

 

[PurpleAngel]

A Asus Xonar DG (PCI) sound card, $26.80 (and there is a $10 mail in rebate, Amazon).
For your situation, the DG would offer (possible) improvement about equal to the E10.

 

[johnvonmacz]

A Asus Xonar DG (PCI) sound card, $26.80 (and there is a $10 mail in rebate, Amazon).
For your situation, the DG would offer (possible) improvement about equal to the E10.

Hi I dont plan to get the DG as my headphone is stereo and I dont need 5.1 surround. And I don't plan to upgrade to surround headphones in the future as I think it's a gimmick..

 

[PurpleAngel]

Hi I don't plan to get the DG as my headphone is stereo and I don't need 5.1 surround. And I don't plan to upgrade to surround headphones in the future as I think it's a gimmick..

You do not have to use the DG's surround sound features, just leave the Audio Channel at "2-channel".
Audio quality wise the DG is about roughly equal to the E10 and costs a lot less.
The only advantage of the E10 is it can drive headphones up to 250-Ohm to 300-Ohm, where as the DG is limited to around 150-Ohm.
Or the other advantage for the E10 is if you have very low Ohm headphones, like under 32-Ohm, your HD380 Pros are 64-Ohm?

 

[johnvonmacz]

You do not have to use the DG's surround sound features, just leave the Audio Channel at "2-channel".
Audio quality wise the DG is about roughly equal to the E10 and costs a lot less.
The only advantage of the E10 is it can drive headphones up to 250-Ohm to 300-Ohm, where as the DG is limited to around 150-Ohm.
Or the other advantage for the E10 is if you have very low Ohm headphones, like under 32-Ohm, your HD380 Pros are 64-Ohm?

My 380 is 54 ohm. Anyway I also heard problems about DG sound low even in Full volume. Can you clarify it to me? Thanks

 

[kjk1281]

My 380 is 54 ohm. Anyway I also heard problems about DG sound low even in Full volume. Can you clarify it to me? Thanks

Never heard of that issue before. For what it's worth, the DG drives my Beyerdynamic DT250 (250 ohms) to uncomfortably loud levels on the highest gain setting. The middle gain setting ("Pro-gaming mode") is more that enough for my 50 ohm HD598, so it should provide sufficient drive to your HD380.
'

 

[PurpleAngel]

My 380 is 54 ohm. Anyway I also heard problems about DG sound low even in Full volume. Can you clarify it to me? Thanks

I've not had that problem when using the Xonar DG with most headphones
I've tested 250-Ohm headphones on the Xonar DG, that had a low sound at max volume.
I've used my 62-Ohm Sony MDR-V6s with a DG, had plenty of volume for me.

 

[johnvonmacz]

Another noob question, this may sound stupid and I'm sorry. I always mistaken Equalizer to be same as an AMP. Can you please tell me the difference between a Equalizer in onboard audio and a headphone amplifier. Thanks a lot.