[humanflyz]

I've been trying to build a decent setup around my computer, and so far I have the amp and the headphones down: K701s driven by a stock PPX3. So now I want to start on the computer itself. Right now I have an Audigy 2 ZS feeding the PPX3, and I want to upgrade to a better source. I have several options open to me, and I have some questions that hopefully can be answered here.

1) If I get a DAC, is it still worth it to upgrade from the Audigy 2 ZS. There are a couple of scenarios that I'm thinking about. First, if I get a DAC with USB connectivity (a la Fubar II or MicroDAC), does it still make sense to upgrade my Audigy 2 ZS? Or if I get a DAC with no USB connection (I'm thinking Spitfire, DAC-AH, or Dialogue II), is it still worth it to make the jump from the Audigy 2 to the X-Fi?

2) I need some recommendations for the DAC. I want a DAC that is neutral because I want the source to add as little coloration as possible. If I wanted to color my setup, I prefer to do it in the headphone/amp stage, not the source. With that in mind, I do prefer a DAC that is not overly bright and harsh, but I don't want it to make my setup too muddy-sounding and veiled.

My budget for DAC and the soundcard (if I need one) is $400-$450, but cheaper is better. And for the soundcard, I'm pretty much limited to Creative products because of gaming reasons, and I don't have enough PCI slots in my motherboard to add another soundcard just for music.

 

[edmoses]

I have purchased the MicroDAC and use this in one of two ways:

1. Listen to music, use the USB connection and remove any trace of my Audigy 2 from the sound path.

2. Play games - connect the DAC to the digital out on the soundcard. This reintroduces the various Creative effects that you want in this mode.

I just wanted to show how you can also look at the use of the equipment that you buy based on use and interfaces.

Regards,

Ed