[episteme]

From what I understand, a complete PC setups consists of a PC (durr), a DAC and an amplifier. However, I have an Asus Xonar soundcard. Does this mean I can forgo the DAC? I've my heart set on the AKG 701/2 and a Little Dot MKII but that's the limit of my budget, so I was wondering if any addition purchases (TT__TT) would be necessary... thanks in advance for the help! You guys rock

 

[Edwood]

In most cases, you still need a decent soundcard that bypasses the Kmixer for digital output to the DAC. Unless you are using the built in sound in the motherboard. So, there is really no way around having a soundcard even if you don't use the analog outputs.

Well, unless you have a DAC as a Sound Card, as in a USB DAC. I have the HeadAmp Pico and it interfaces via USB and shows up as a sound card essentially.

-Ed

 

[episteme]

I'm sorry, I may have phrased my question poorly. My question was if having a good soundcard makes a DAC unnecessary, as I already have an Asus Xonar. Thanks a lot for the response

 

[s4nder]

Yes, if you have a good sound card, an external DAC is unnecessary as the sound card probably has a decent DAC in itself.

 

[Iced]

If you are not going to use a really high quality dac, you don't need one. You don't even need an amp probably, if I know correctly, Xonar don't have a true line out as it already amplifies the sound. You will be amping an already amplified sound. Using an amp will only be understandable if xonar can't drive your phones adequately. But it should have no problem driving them.

 

[dikiz]

I'm on a laptop and If I buy a high end DAC, I will still be using my crappy onboard soundcard right, so what would be the benefit? (if any??)

 

[Nocturnal310]

Laptops have really poor Soundcards..its not even normal u know.

Hence for us laptop users the only solution is USB Soundcards.

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nocturnal310 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hence for us laptop users the only solution is USB Soundcards.

Only solution?

I don't use USB, but rather optical out (S/PDIF) on my laptop and am very pleased with it. Its an alternative on par with USB imo.

 

[Navyblue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nocturnal310 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Laptops have really poor Soundcards..its not even normal u know.

Have you heard all of them? Or you just assume all laptops are as crappy as yours?

Btw OP, a sound card contains a DAC.

 

[dikiz]

I don't know about all laptop onboard soundcard, but mine is really crappy!
Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Only solution? I don't use USB, but rather optical out (S/PDIF) on my laptop and am very pleased with it. Its an alternative on par with USB imo.

So you are *ONLY* using the sound card of your MacBook? I check your DAC and it's about $2k, do you really think it's used at is best with just a mac sound card?

 

[Navyblue]

A sound card can be used as a transport to a DAC if it has a digital output.

 

[Suntory_Times]

Well ..... thats not what he was saying. He simply pointed out that there where other solutions.

 

[Nocturnal310]

Most Soundcards are DAC's but no DAC is a soundcard.

thats my conclusion.

 

[dikiz]

So if I connect a USB DAC to a PC without sound card,... what will happen?

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dikiz /img/forum/go_quote.gif So you are *ONLY* using the sound card of your MacBook? I check your DAC and it's about $2k, do you really think it's used at is best with just a mac sound card?

Correct!
I am *ONLY* using the sound card of my MacBook Pro. Worth noting that I don't use the analog part of it though, just the optical S/PDIF one. Which happen to be bit-perfect.

So I think its a very capable transport indeed.