[Grybpjovys]

My main source now is integrated soundcard in motherboard, even my htc sensation gives better sound that my computer, so I want an upgrade. I have arround 100euros, what should I get? A soundcard, or a DAC/AMP? I think sound starts from sound card, so I should get it, main question is which? I found a bit lower that I can spend Creative X-FI Titanium (non HD, HD version costs almost twice, but if there is very huge difference in sound quality, I may consider getting HD version, so how big is difference between Titanium and Titanium HD?) would it be good? Or i should get dac/amp?
 
P.S. I have very old creative soundblaster live! 5.1 (model SB0100). I would try this, but i wasn't able to find drivers for windows 7, how do you think, is it worth trying somehow getting drivers for this card? 
 
thanks in advance

 

[trog]

Well i have an ancient CT4830 and the daniel_k drivers rock so you may want to try those out 

 

[PurpleAngel]

So a used Creative X-Fi titanium (non-HD) or an Asus Xonar DG or DGX.

 

[jackwess]

Quote:

So a used Creative X-Fi titanium (non-HD) or an Asus Xonar DG or DGX.

 
The DG is a no-brainer. 

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

My main source now is integrated soundcard in motherboard, even my htc sensation gives better sound that my computer, so I want an upgrade. I have arround 100euros, what should I get? A soundcard, or a DAC/AMP? I think sound starts from sound card, so I should get it, main question is which? I found a bit lower that I can spend Creative X-FI Titanium (non HD, HD version costs almost twice, but if there is very huge difference in sound quality, I may consider getting HD version, so how big is difference between Titanium and Titanium HD?) would it be good? Or i should get dac/amp?
 
P.S. I have very old creative soundblaster live! 5.1 (model SB0100). I would try this, but i wasn't able to find drivers for windows 7, how do you think, is it worth trying somehow getting drivers for this card? 
 
thanks in advance

As you can get a new Asus Xonar DG for $30, that comes with Windows 7 drivers, why wast time with the Live 5.1.

 

[Grybpjovys]

So you all suggest buying a cheapest soundcard? Isn't there any difference between Xonar DG and Creative Titanium? What would be better, cheapest soundcard+amp or just a decent soundcard? Sorry for my lack of knowledge, I haven't researched a lot in audiophilics yet

 

[fabio-fi]

If you're going to use headphones, and want a nice gaming/music experience = Xonar Dg
The Titanium is more gaming oriented, and it doesnt have a built in headamp + driver support sucks. 

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

So you all suggest buying a cheapest sound card? Isn't there any difference between Xonar DG and Creative Titanium? What would be better, cheapest sound card+amp or just a decent sound card? Sorry for my lack of knowledge, I haven't researched a lot in audiophilics yet

The Titanium (non-HD) should good for gaming, also good support for older EAX 5.0 games.
I think Creative Labs charges $10 (US) for their alchemy software, which allows you to use full EAX 5.0 with Vista & Win 7.
I do not think game publisher really have direct support for EAX 5.0 anymore, but in whole it would be considered a better gaming card then the Xonar DG.
 
I prefer Xonars myself, control panel is simple to use, it has a half-way decent headphone amplifier and Dolby Digital (Dolby Virtual Headphone).
Lots of Xonar owners are happy gaming with their Xonar.

 

[Grybpjovys]

So for headphones, for <100euros xonar DG is best choice? What about similar cards like xonar DG/DGX/DSX/ DX/XD/A? Gaming isn't my top priority (although I'm competetive tf2 player, but surrounding that I have now is good, I can hear from which direction I hear something). I want from my headphones more power (that's what for AMP is, isn't it?) and bass.
 
Thanks for answering all above!

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

So for headphones, for <100euros xonar DG is best choice? What about similar cards like xonar DG/DGX/DSX/ DX/XD/A? Gaming isn't my top priority (although I'm competetive tf2 player, but surrounding that I have now is good, I can hear from which direction I hear something). I want from my headphones more power (that's what for AMP is, isn't it?) and bass.
Thanks for answering all above!

The Xonar DX, D1, DS, DSX, do not have a headphone amplifier. The Xonar DG & DGX do have a half-way decent headphone amplifier.
The DGX is the PCI-Express version of the DG (PCI).
The DG(X) do come with a better DAC then whatever comes built into your motherboard.
 
The Xonar DX & D1 do come with a better DAC then the DG(X) and a slightly better surround sound (7.1), verses the DG(X) 5.1 surround sound.
So the Xonar DX & D1 would be better if you were going to pair your sound card with an external add-on headphone amplifier.
 
The DX, D1, DG, DGX do come with Dolby Digital.
 
The DS & DSX do not have Dolby Digital, but come with DTS

 

[Grybpjovys]

Quote:

The Xonar DX, D1, DS, DSX, do not have a headphone amplifier. The Xonar DG & DGX do have a half-way decent headphone amplifier.
The DGX is the PCI-Express version of the DG (PCI).
The DG(X) do come with a better DAC then whatever comes built into your motherboard.
 
The Xonar DX & D1 do come with a better DAC then the DG(X) and a slightly better surround sound (7.1), verses the DG(X) 5.1 surround sound.
So the Xonar DX & D1 would be better if you were going to pair your sound card with an external add-on headphone amplifier.
 
The DX, D1, DG, DGX do come with Dolby Digital.
 
The DS & DSX do not have Dolby Digital, but come with DTS

Thanks very much for this info! I will probably get something with Dolby Digital (I thought, maybe those technologies will help somehow to me? ) and get amplifier later (like FiiO E9). Or i'm just getting Xonar DG

Thanks very much to all who helped, really appreciate it.