[nate911]

List of Recommendations so far...

I would like to upgrade my computer audio system...
I have ATH-AD700 headphones and an X-Fi Extremegamer sound card. What would the next step for an upgrade? Soundcard, amp, DAC, or better headphones? (I'm not worried about speakers now.) My budget is a couple hundred by the way.

Thanks!

 

[.Sup]

I'd get an amp first and a DAC second. Budget?

 

[nate911]

Quote:

Originally Posted by .Sup /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd get an amp first and a DAC second. Budget?

It's in the first post

What benefits would each give me? Compared to buying better headphones...

 

[Moontan13]

DAC and amp? Easy. Find a 5.1 or 7.1 receiver that accepts optical input and supports synthesized 3D for headphones.

I went that route, and though it exposed my sound card for the weak POS it is, using that to run headphones has been a major boost to SQ.

 

[nate911]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moontan13 /img/forum/go_quote.gif DAC and amp? Easy. Find a 5.1 or 7.1 receiver that accepts optical input and supports synthesized 3D for headphones. I went that route, and though it exposed my sound card for the weak POS it is, using that to run headphones has been a major boost to SQ.

Couldn't I just use my sound card's optical out for a DAC/amp? Remember my budget is a few hundred so I probably can't get a DAC and amp.

 

[1UP]

Always, always, always (well, generally) SOURCE FIRST.

 

[Nick 214]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1UP /img/forum/go_quote.gif Always, always, always (well, generally) SOURCE FIRST.

Second! I follow the "Linn School" of system building - the best speakers (or headphones) in the world will not make up for a sub-par source.

NK

 

[nate911]

Ok, so getting an amp or DAC would be better than say some HD595s? Any suggestions on a DAC/amp and which would benefit me the most?

 

[nate911]

Bump...

 

[Bmac]

For a few hundred you might take a look at the E-MU 0404 USB or the Asus Xonar Essence STX. Both are popular and have decent DAC's and headphone amps. Either one would be a big improvement.

I don't know if you'll find a better DAC than these for $200, so consider it a bonus that they have headphone amps and if you find the amps insufficient you can always upgrade later.

 

[.Sup]

I have 2 budget DAC/amp combos (0404 USB, TC7520) and they are both good, Beresford being better in the headoutput but EMU offers more if you will also use speakers with it.

 

[nate911]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmac /img/forum/go_quote.gif For a few hundred you might take a look at the E-MU 0404 USB or the Asus Xonar Essence STX. Both are popular and have decent DAC's and headphone amps. Either one would be a big improvement. I don't know if you'll find a better DAC than these for $200, so consider it a bonus that they have headphone amps and if you find the amps insufficient you can always upgrade later.

Yeah, I was looking at the STX too (I have a x-fi xtremegamer currently), but I don't know how that would compare to a standalone amp or DAC, being inside the computer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by .Sup /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have 2 budget DAC/amp combos (0404 USB, TC7520) and they are both good, Beresford being better in the headoutput but EMU offers more if you will also use speakers with it.

I have Klipsch Promedia 2.1s hooked up also.

 

[chinesekiwi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate911 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, I was looking at the STX too (I have a x-fi xtremegamer currently), but I don't know how that would compare to a standalone amp or DAC, being inside the computer.

Really, as a DAC/headphone amp combo, it cannot be beaten for the price.
This includes external DAC + headphone amp combos.

That said, the internal headphone amp (or any headphone amp) is overkill for the AD700 as it doesn't benefit much amped at all.
I have AD700's for gaming and I (on the low gain) have the volume below 10 (out of 100).
The Essence STX as a DAC/soundcard alone is still quite good indeed.
The Essence STX only has 2.0 lineout though unless you go via S/PDIF.

 

[nate911]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi /img/forum/go_quote.gif Really, as a DAC/headphone amp combo, it cannot be beaten for the price. This includes external DAC + headphone amp combos. That said, the internal headphone amp (or any headphone amp) is overkill for the AD700 as it doesn't benefit much amped at all. I have AD700's for gaming and I (on the low gain) have the volume below 10 (out of 100). The Essence STX as a DAC/soundcard alone is still quite good indeed. The Essence STX only has 2.0 lineout though unless you go via S/PDIF.

So how does the STX compare to the E-MU 0404 USB, the Beserford, or any others in the price range?

 

[.Sup]

Seeing as the Promedias aren't balanced i would go with the Beresford as it can drive 595s easier than the other two.