[TheMightyGranny]

Hey!



I currently use an Asus xonar D2/PM in my PC. I'm thinking about upgrading this set up in the near future but I'm unsure what to get instead. I've been looking at USB DAC/Amp combos but I know too little about audio equipment to draw any meaningful conclusions from a spec sheet. My current audio equpiment is the Philips Fidelio x1 and Antlion ModMic 4. I've ordered the HIFIMAN HE4xx and I'm expecting them shortly. I'm simply looking for a way to get more out of this set up, in the 300 dollar /250 euro range. At the same time I'm looking to maintain the simplicity somewhat of having the ability to plug in my mic aswell as the headphones





https://www.asus.com/Sound-Cards/Xonar_D2PM/



https://www.usa.philips.com/c-p/X1_28/fidelio-hifi-stereo-headphones



https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-hifiman-he4xx-planar-magnetic-headphones



https://antlionaudio.com/products/modmic-4

 

[cossix]

What about an external amp and DAC, and plugging the headphone into your computer like normal? Most good audio gear doesn't focus on having a microphone pass through. Perhaps a Modi 2/Magni 3 combo is what you want, 200 bucks

 

[Dulalala]

What about an external amp and DAC, and plugging the headphone into your computer like normal? Most good audio gear doesn't focus on having a microphone pass through. Perhaps a Modi 2/Magni 3 combo is what you want, 200 bucks

I think you mean plugging on your microphone into the computer like normal.

Hey!
I currently use an Asus xonar D2/PM in my PC. I'm thinking about upgrading this set up in the near future but I'm unsure what to get instead. I've been looking at USB DAC/Amp combos but I know too little about audio equipment to draw any meaningful conclusions from a spec sheet. My current audio equpiment is the Philips Fidelio x1 and Antlion ModMic 4. I've ordered the HIFIMAN HE4xx and I'm expecting them shortly. I'm simply looking for a way to get more out of this set up, in the 300 dollar /250 euro range. At the same time I'm looking to maintain the simplicity somewhat of having the ability to plug in my mic aswell as the headphones

You'd be very hard pressed to find something that would accept that kind of mic input and has an audio output. As far as I'm aware, most audio interface don't have a 3.5mm mic input, so if you really need to have a mic input, you're best bet would be an external soundcard.

 

[TheMightyGranny]

I think you mean plugging on your microphone into the computer like normal.



You'd be very hard pressed to find something that would accept that kind of mic input and has an audio output. As far as I'm aware, most audio interface don't have a 3.5mm mic input, so if you really need to have a mic input, you're best bet would be an external soundcard.

Yeah I could use the mic input on my excisting sound card too. Will a DAC/Amp combo in the 300 dollar range be a significant upragde over the soundcard though?

 

[cossix]

I think the 4xx and X1 would benefit from a nice external stack

 

[PurpleAngel]

Hey!



I currently use an Asus xonar D2/PM in my PC. I'm thinking about upgrading this set up in the near future but I'm unsure what to get instead. I've been looking at USB DAC/Amp combos but I know too little about audio equipment to draw any meaningful conclusions from a spec sheet. My current audio equipment is the Philips Fidelio x1 and Antlion ModMic 4. I've ordered the HIFIMAN HE4xx and I'm expecting them shortly. I'm simply looking for a way to get more out of this set up, in the 300 dollar /250 euro range. At the same time I'm looking to maintain the simplicity somewhat of having the ability to plug in my mic as well as the headphones

The Xonar D2/PM makes a good DAC.
Hopefully you disabled the motherboard's on-board audio, in the BIOS.
Have you tried using the Unified Xonar Drivers?
http://maxedtech.com/asus-xonar-unified-drivers/

The 30-Ohm Philips Fidelio X2 are not very power demanding.
I would say to get an O2 (Objective 2) or Schiit Magni solid state headphone amplifier and plug it into the D2's headphone (front speaker) jack.
https://www.head-fi.org/forums/amplification-for-sale-trade.6551/
(also check eBay)