[bjackson]

I am building a new computer and I would like a soundcard that I can plug my HD-650's into without an additional amp. I have a 200 dollar price limit, however cheaper is better (8800GTX SLI is not cheap)

.

 

[Arainach]

There isn't one. Cans like the HD-650 need an amp to properly drive them, period. They'll sound dead without it.

 

[Dominat0r]

Yep, from what i read...you best bet for headphones straight out of the sound card is the 595s. These are only 50ohm, which should be easy to drive. I had my 555s connected to my sound card, till i got my amp. It worked fine...bass was alittle loose, the amp cleared that right now...making the bass nice and tight.

I tried my 580s directly connected to my sound card, it could not push them to high enough volume to enjoy. The amp was needed for this, soo glad i bought one =)

 

[Janus]

Get a headroom total bithead. That has a usb dac built in, and will drive the 650s way better than a sound card, plus, keeping itself away from the internal electrical noise of the computer.

 

[mADmAN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janus /img/forum/go_quote.gif Get a headroom total bithead. That has a usb dac built in, and will drive the 650s way better than a sound card, plus, keeping itself away from the internal electrical noise of the computer.

x2

 

[threEchelon]

If you're gaming, you have to get the X-Fi no matter what the other components in your audio setup are. The 3D positional audio for games is amazing with headphones. I get countless kills just based on hearing where the enemies are.

 

[Janus]

From cs beta days till bf2, I have never needed accelerated 3d audio for "tactical purposes". My cs ratio even till source was 6:1, and in dod:s it is at least 7:1. Needless to say even in bf2 I still use my audiophile 192 in "stereo," and have no trouble locating enemies.

If you do happen to enjoy 5.1 accelerated gaming, and worry about that <5% framerate hit with non creative cards, you should still get a bithead, since all it takes is a click in audio properties to switch between music listening and surround gaming.

 

[Azultra]

All the more so "buying a X-Fi while you have a DAC" means buying EAX and waste money into useless harmful hardware

 

[Xakepa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janus /img/forum/go_quote.gif Get a headroom total bithead. That has a usb dac built in, and will drive the 650s way better than a sound card, plus, keeping itself away from the internal electrical noise of the computer.

x3

 

[xpyrate]

I'm not much of an audiophile, but I just got the auzentech x-meridian for christmas and my ears just has an orgasm. It has EAX 2 as well, so it should be good for gaming as well.

 

[jmmtn4aj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azultra /img/forum/go_quote.gif All the more so "buying a X-Fi while you have a DAC" means buying EAX and waste money into useless harmful hardware

Harmful?

 

[plaidplatypus]

A better sounding option for $200 would be the Zhaolu D2C here.

Later you will want a balanced amp, interconnect, and cable otherwise your HD650s will sound dead

 

[plaidplatypus]

My Battlefield 2 headphone review

I would also suggest trying the ATH-A900, I would say that it has about 95% of what the A900LTD has going for it based on a music A/B session and doesn't need any special amp like the HD650 will.

 

[yeeyy]

I would suggest EMU 0404 USB, but I have to admit that I have not try out before. The recommendation is by the sound signature from their past history on PCI soundcard, which truly a great gear.

 

[HFat]

UA25>HD580 works for me. Hell, my laptop chipset's sorry excuse for a soundcard makes the Senns sing as well.

I guess it depends on how loud you like your headphones.