Sound card for Headphones and 5.1 Speakers

[Snortan]

Hi,
 
It seems that my Creative Audigy SE is dying. Been pretty happy with it but it seems it's time to upgrade and I've decided to treat myself and buy a quality sound card, because it's one of those PC components that it's rarely upgraded.
I'll be using it for 40% games, 40% music, 20% movies.
As audio equipment I'm using a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50 and Logitech x-540 5.1 Speakers (I don't think I'll change them any time soon because I'm happy with them).
I've been looking at:

1. Asus Xonar Essence STX - very appreciated and recommended for headphone users but doesn't have 5.1 analog output.
2. Creative X-Fi Titanium HD - same situation, no 5.1 analog.
3. Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty - seems good.
4. Asus Xonas DX - seems good.

 
That's all that I looked at until now.
I'm can spend £150 max on it.
Any recommendations are welcome.
 
Thank you!

 

[NamelessPFG]

How cheap can you get the entry-level X-Fi Titanium (not Fatal1ty or HD)? Over here, the refurbs are only around US$40 when Newegg's having a good sale, but that isn't representative of the UK market at all.

 

[Snortan]

Cheapest I see is £59, which is about US$96.

 

[peck1234]

I would go with the Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty

 

[Snortan]

A friend mentioned the Asus Xonar D2X, and from reviews it seems to be a pretty good card. Seeing as the D2X costs the same as X-Fi Titanium Fatality, how would these two compete?

 

[stv014]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snortan /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 

1. Asus Xonar Essence STX - very appreciated and recommended for headphone users but doesn't have 5.1 analog output.

 
The PCI version (Essence ST) can be expanded to 7.1 output with the Xonar H6 card that can only be used together with the ST. Although this combination may be too expensive overall.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Snortan /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 

1. Asus Xonas DX - seems good.

 
It is good indeed, but note that it does not have an amplified (low impedance) headphone output. So, you may need to buy an amplifier like the FiiO E11 for the best sound with headphones.
 
Edit: the D2X is similar to the DX, but with slightly better DAC and ADC chips, EMI shielding, S/PDIF input, and more bundled software. I cannot say this for sure, but I think it does not have an amplified headphone output either.

 

[Snortan]

Indeed, ST with H6 is a bit expensive, but may be worth it to future-proof.
Does anyone know how would ST + H6 sound in games compared to X-Fi Titanium or X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty for example?
Also are there any known problems of this combination? because I can't find much information on it.
 

 

[PurpleAngel]

I would say to get the Asus Xonar DG (PCI) sound card.
It comes with a half-way decent headphone amplifier.
Can do analog speaker 5.1
Comes with Dolby Digital 5.1, so 5.1 surround sound from the speakers and Dolby Virtual Headphone (which is 5.1 headphone surround sound).
It's also low cost.

 

[Snortan]

I did take a look at the DG, but being so cheap I assumed that it's under X-Fi Titanium at sound quality, but I'll give it a look.
Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[PurpleAngel]

 
Quote:

I did take a look at the DG, but being so cheap I assumed that it's under X-Fi Titanium at sound quality, but I'll give it a look.
Thanks for the help everyone.

If your a die hard gamer, the X-Fi Titanium (non-HD) should do the job.
Used ones sold on eBay for a decent price, just make sure it comes with the driver installation CD.
 
 

 

[Snortan]

I'm not a die hard gamer, but I do enjoy games.
Anyway it seems that it comes down between Xonar DG and X-Fi Titanium.
Again, thank you for the help!