source

[supyo]

I want a source for DVD audio and CD audio. I am only need it to be stereo, I don't have a headphone amp, but i have a headphone jack on my speakers. I might get an amp in the future, but not now. Tell me what you think would be the best choice:

ESI Juli@
EMU 0404
EMU 1212m
M-Audio Audiophile 2496
M-Audio Audiophile 192
Creative X-fi?


Thanks

 

[supyo]

any info would be greatly appreciated

 

[Svperstar]

Wel the headphone jack on your speakers is a preamp output that is not really suitable as a headphone amp. I had an email discussion with logitech about this.

I will also say that the EMU0404 sounds horrible without an amp. Nearly unlistenable, it wasn't designed to drive headphones at all. Even a $60 Pocket Amp V2 from www.electric-avenues.com made a big difference in sound.

Having been down the same road as you I would recommend you get something like the Chaintech AV710 if you don't want an amp, or get the EMU 0404 and an amp, and then later go for an external DAC.

 

[supyo]

Sounds like some good advice. Could you recommend a headphone amp for about $100? I would prefer if it had a good quality enclosure.

Also, does the ESI Juli@ have a headphone jack? does it have good sound compared to the emu 0404?

Thank you

 

[Svperstar]

I'm not sure about the ESI, I haven't really heard about it. For a $100 amp there is the PAV2, Cmoys, all different ones, I recommend you search the Amp forum here for recommendations.

 

[supyo]

I have a few more questions. I know the Revo 5.1 has a dedicated headphone out, but does the 7.1 have the same? Would it sound ok to use headphones that run ok without without an amp on the AV710?

I am thinking I might just get a consumer card. I hear people saying there isn't much difference between these and the EMU line.

Thanks for your help

 

[supyo]

and i have heard that that DAC on the Revo 5.1 is better then the one on the revo 7.1? Is this true?

 

[sgrossklass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by supyo and i have heard that that DAC on the Revo 5.1 is better then the one on the revo 7.1? Is this true?

At least it uses the very same AK4358 as the Juli@ and AP192, and apparently it sounds better than the Revo 7.1 as well (actually this is one of the weakest Envy24HT cards in stock form, prolly the output stage is at fault - the stereo DAC itself actually is quite good).

Re: the Juli@, it's not quite out whether it sounds better or worse than the 0404 yet, but it certainly is in the same league, above the "consumer" cards like Revo/Prodigy. It does not have a headphone out either, but at least features RCA outs if you want it to (pretty neat).

 

[supyo]

Thanks very much for the info, I actually just started a thread for people to post their impressions of the ESI Juli@


edit: and I was wondering, do these higher end recording cards (emu, Juli@, etc) sound good with stereo DVD's?