[stukovx]

I am a bit confused as to what exactly a DAC does. From what I have read, it converts digital audio to analog? If so, what are the benefits of this?

I'm really trying to plan out my parts before going ahead and making my mass purchase.

My plans right now are:

X-Fi<<Zu Pivot cable<<Zhaolu<<Zu Pivot<<Gilmore Lite<<K701's

does this seem like a decent setup or is there something I should add/remove?

 

[003]

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=188116

 

[stukovx]

thanks been searchin for that post. however, no one seemed to answer the question if a DAC would greatly improve SQ paired with a X-Fi soundcard

 

[003]

Yes, it will. The DACs on the X-fi are rather crappy. Unless you have the elite pro, which has slightly better DACs, but an external DAC would still be a lot better.

 

[milhouse6]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 003 Yes, it will. The DACs on the X-fi are rather crappy. Unless you have the elite pro, which has slightly better DACs, but an external DAC would still be a lot better.

This confuses me. As I understand it, when using an external DAC one is completely bypassing the soundcard. If so, is even a cheap soundcard with coaxial/optical out not sufficient? What's the benefit of an expensive sound card if one is going to bypass it and use an external DAC?

 

[JaGWiRE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by milhouse6 This confuses me. As I understand it, when using an external DAC one is completely bypassing the soundcard. If so, is even a cheap soundcard with coaxial/optical out not sufficient? What's the benefit of an expensive sound card if one is going to bypass it and use an external DAC?

The only thing is the whole thing with jitter. I am not worried about it myself, but people tend to sometimes like higher end sources that have low jitter rates and are good as a transport.

What he is saying is that the x-fi xtrememusic, platnium and fatal1ty have ****** dacs (and dacs are on every sound card.) The elite pro has better dacs because it is a different card.

 

[device manager]

Yes, an external DAC such as the Zhaolu will drastically improve SQ, and if you add the upgraded headamp (I consider it to be on par with a HeadFive) you'll have a powerhouse combo.

By using the digital out on the X-Fi you will:
1) retain all of the X-Fi DSP's (EAX, CMSS3D, Crystalizer, etc).
2) can still use the mode switcher
3) have bit-perfect out @ 44.1 kHz (in audio creation mode)

Use a 3.5mm to RCA mono coax cable (see my sig for the link). The X-Fi also has onboard hardware AC3/DTS decoding.

Not only is it the best gaming card on the market, it is also an excellent "audiophile" card.

 

[Svperstar]

I just went all out and purchased the X-Fi Elite Pro which has 4 very nice DACs on it, the same DACs used by hifi audio products.

That way I get get excellent game support and good audio.

 

[003]

Umm... The DACs on the elite pro are better than the other X-fi cards, but still pale when compared to an external DAC.

 

[JaGWiRE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 003 Umm... The DACs on the elite pro are better than the other X-fi cards, but still pale when compared to an external DAC.

Heh, yeah, although some people have been really talking well about the elite pro dacs. Still, it's a gaming card no matter how you put it, and even though I game very little today, I still appreciate it for the fact it's got so many inputs and outputs and is a consumer card.

 

[Svperstar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 003 Umm... The DACs on the elite pro are better than the other X-fi cards, but still pale when compared to an external DAC.

Well it depends on what you use. The DACs on the elite pro are used in external dacs and high end cd players. Is it is good as the $1,000+ DACs? No, but they do sound good, much better than the EMU0404 I was using, which by comparision is less detailed and harsh.

 

[Svperstar]

Oh yeah here is my experience using the Elite Pro versus the Audigy 2 ZS / EMU0404 combo I was using

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=169453

 

[device manager]

Supposedly the DACs on the Elite Pro PCI card are better than the external rack.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/08/...e_x/page6.html

If you don't plan on taking advantage of all of the inputs & outputs on the Elite Pro breakout box you'd have been better off with the Xtreme Music & Zhalou D2A w/ Discrete Amp for roughly the same price.

 

[stukovx]

oh and i would also need a rca to rca interconnect from the dac to the amp huh?

and thanks for all the info, cant wait till i have enough to go ahead and make the purchase

 

[003]

Yes, that is what MOST dacs/amps use. There are a few that use others however, like a mini-to-mini, mini-to-RCA, etc...