Sound card recommendation?

[babypsycho]

Hi guys,

I'm new here at head-fi.org. Been reading some of the threads and found people seems to be liking Xi-fi and X-Meridian.

Now, here's my question.
I'm currently running my computer as music source -> amp -> 2 channel speakers.

Would buying a sound card making a big difference in sound quality for my musics? Also, which one should be best to get if I'm not going to mod them.
I don't play games at all. Mainly musics.


Regards,
Dan

 

[Joshatdot]

For best value Music sound card, you can't go wrong with a Chaintech AV-710. They cost like $20 at Newegg.

 

[escaflo]

Well soundcard really does make a big difference. What's your budget range?

You can have a look at the following soundcards:
Onkyo SE 200
ESI Juli@
M-Audio Revolution
EMU 1212M

Personally, I use the Onkyo SE 200 which is connected to the amp -> dynaudio audience 52 and I love it. =) Just up to your personal preference actually.

Cheers

 

[Rambaud]

Yes, a good soundcard can make a big difference.

I went back and tried a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz (analogue) in my new PC and was amazed at the improvement. So I bought a M-Audio 192, and it was better still. Then a new DAC, then a new amp, then new speakers, new cables, then a better DAC.

So that new soundcard ended up costing me over £500!

So beware the slippery slope of "upgradeitis".

 

[babypsycho]

Which m-audio is better ?
2496 or 192? Is there a big difference other than price?
How do they compare with auzentech?

 

[sdgserv]

Spent the last night comparing sound cards..
M-Audio 5.1
X-Meridian
Terratec 24/96
Hooked up to Ultra 5.1..the X-Meridian sounded tinny, no bass..actually suprised me how bad it sounded..Maybe the card so it will be RMAd and try another one..

 

[babypsycho]

Does m-audio 2496 has DTS and dolby?

 

[sdgserv]

Quote:

Originally Posted by babypsycho /img/forum/go_quote.gif Does m-audio 2496 has DTS and dolby?

Some info for you...

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...2496-main.html

 

[amitz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdgserv /img/forum/go_quote.gif Spent the last night comparing sound cards.. M-Audio 5.1 X-Meridian Terratec 24/96 Hooked up to Ultra 5.1..the X-Meridian sounded tinny, no bass..actually suprised me how bad it sounded..Maybe the card so it will be RMAd and try another one..

I will be happy to hear your results.

 

[babypsycho]

Does running digital or analog signal output from sound card to a receiver will have a big difference in sound quality? I'm only running 2 channel speakers.

 

[Elephas]

It would depend on the quality of the sound card's analog outputs vs. the external DAC's.

Some sound cards have good analog outputs, such as the E-MU 1212m and RME HDSP 9632, but I find that using an external DAC is better.

 

[brokensound]

Does having a sound card make a difference? It depends on the sound card. I had the audigy 2zs, which sounded muddy and over processed. Just imagine mudd in your ears while you try to listen to music. I switched up to the modded x-fi platinum, which sound a whole lot better. More like there's some earwax in my ear holding me back from hearing everything. Afterwards, I got the Oritek Zhaolu, this is like having a clear path between the headphone and my ears. So, what I'm saying is that if the source is your quality determining step, then any improvement there will make a great improvement in your system. If your source isn't the part in the chain holding you back, then upgrading another part will be better. But back to the question at hand, I recommend modding the x-fi for internal usage or the emu 0404 for external goodness.