HyperX Cloud Alpha + 7.1 HyperX Amp

[gr33nbits]

I own the Cloud Alpha with onboard Audio from the B350 Gaming Plus that uses the Realtek® ALC892 Codec and was wondering if it's worth to buy the Amp for better mic and sound quality, i don't really want the pseudo 7 .1 or will use it.

[Turtle Rig]

4 minutes ago, gr33nbits said:

I own the Cloud Alpha with onboard Audio from the B350 Gaming Plus that uses the Realtek® ALC892 Codec and was wondering if it's worth to buy the Amp for better mic and sound quality, i don't really want the pseudo 7 .1 or will use it.

Firstly RealTek nor most audio cards do not have a HP amp.  So you get poor quality sound nothing to phone home about.  So yes get a HP amp and the HP's will thank you greatly.  Any other concerns let us know.

[Spuriae]

I'd say no. If you're talking about the HyperX USB dongle, you're essentially swapping your cheap Realtek codec for a cheap Cmedia (most likely) codec.

 

Here's a comparison of some specs. All ratings are for the integrated headphone amplifier into a 32Ω load, at 48kHz sample frequency.

	ALC892	CM6533	CM6571
Full Scale Output	1.1 Vrms	0.99 Vrms	0.82 Vrms
-60dB Dynamic Range	93 dB (A)	92 dB (A)	92 dB (A)
-3dB THD+N*	-75 dB FS	-71 dB	-82 dB (A)
Crosstalk	-80 dB	-60 dB	-72 dB
Output Impedance	2 Ω	32 Ω	?
20kHz Response	-0.05 dB	-0.95 dB	-0.94 dB

*THD+N numbers are not directly comparable due to different weightings and references.

 

For the most part, USB dongles are a sidegrade to entry-level desktop motherboard audio.

[Froody129]

23 hours ago, Turtle Rig said:

Firstly RealTek nor most audio cards do not have a HP amp.  So you get poor quality sound nothing to phone home about.  So yes get a HP amp and the HP's will thank you greatly.  Any other concerns let us know.

These are super easy to drive. There's no point in getting an amp if you already have the volume you need and the sound quality itself is acceptable (892 should be fine).

 

OP I wouldn't stress about an amp, AFAIK you can use the USB dongle without 7.1 and you should have plenty of volume. 

[rice guru]

On 8/2/2019 at 4:13 PM, gr33nbits said:

I own the Cloud Alpha with onboard Audio from the B350 Gaming Plus that uses the Realtek® ALC892 Codec and was wondering if it's worth to buy the Amp for better mic and sound quality, i don't really want the pseudo 7 .1 or will use it.

nah you should be fine on on board. 

[gr33nbits]

Ok thanks.