dac Sound card vs Dac

[Deus326]

Hi guys, I'm really new with all this audio shinenigens, my onboard motherboard jack for microphone is busted so now i want to buy Soundcard or Dac. I heard Dac is like rly better and cheaper. I mostly play games and watch bluray movies and listen to music with my headphones (HyperX). So is it better to get Dac or Sound cards, which one sound better in headphone? I really need your help guys, bcs I really like good sounds so i want to have the best audio i can get for my budget. Im from Serbia so Amazon is a big NO NO for my country (i cant buy amazon stuff cheap )so if u can recomend me what to buy so maybe i can find it in my country... That is rly hard XD All of the good stuff are not here

P.S. I only have PCI I dont have PCIe so i can only buy audio cards like SOundblaster Fx extreme gaming or Asus Xenor DG something like that.

[doomsriker]

If I were you I would get a cheap usb sound card like this one.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-To-3-5mm-Mic-Headphone-Jack-Stereo-Headset-Audio-Adapter-7-1-Sound-Card-Hot/254214555536?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item3b305e4790:g:RYUAAOSwpcRcxV23

 

you can just type “usb sound card” into any preferred online vendor and you will find lots. Most electronic stores will have them to although usually at an inflated price. 

[191x7]

@Deus326You could try something like an Asus Xonar DG. Or the USB Asus Xonar U5.

 

Which exact HyperX headset?

[Deus326]

@191x7 I bought today an Asus Xonar DG this one, I mena it will come today by post ofice, I heard it has some like headphone amp but idk if it means anything for my HyperX. I have Cloud 1 version of them. I didnt know should i buy SoundBooster or Asus Xonar Dg but i choosed Xonar bcs i heared that drivers are a bit better in them?

[ShearMe]

External DAC Pros:

• Gets equipment away from the PC which can load E.M.I. into your audio
• Physical volume knobs are one of those things you can't live without after trying
• Typically driver-less, which reduces incompatibility issues in the future

External DAC Cons:

• Nice ones are relatively expensive
• Few have a microphone input for headsets
• More junk eating up desk space

 

Since you already have the soundcard, try it and see if you like it. If you want a physical volume knob, you can always add one later cheaply: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32953218139.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.3e286847qJv8Wp&algo_pvid=be14c145-c314-4f68-9ffb-685b692611e5&algo_expid=be14c145-c314-4f68-9ffb-685b692611e5-1&btsid=11a59360-7bed-423e-927d-862911f5f37b&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5,searchweb201603_55

[Lady Fitzgerald]

1 hour ago, ShearMe said:

External DAC Pros:

• Gets equipment away from the PC which can load E.M.I. into your audio
• Physical volume knobs are one of those things you can't live without after trying
• Typically driver-less, which reduces incompatibility issues in the future

External DAC Cons:

• Nice ones are relatively expensive
• Few have a microphone input for headsets
• More junk eating up desk space

 

Since you already have the soundcard, try it and see if you like it. If you want a physical volume knob, you can always add one later cheaply: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32953218139.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.3e286847qJv8Wp&algo_pvid=be14c145-c314-4f68-9ffb-685b692611e5&algo_expid=be14c145-c314-4f68-9ffb-685b692611e5-1&btsid=11a59360-7bed-423e-927d-862911f5f37b&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5,searchweb201603_55

The Dragonfly Red and Dragonfly Black are external USB DAC dongles that plug right into a USB port so they take up no desk space. Or you can use a length of shielded USB cable to connect the DAC to the USB port so you don't have the weight of a cable pulling on the connection. The other end is a 3.2mm jack. They have enough output to drive most headphones.

 

I'm using a Dragonfly RED right now (the Black is a less expensive model) and I've been very happy with it. It's able to drive my JBL 5" studio monitors through a matching 10" JBL sub.

 

They now have a Colbalt that's supposed to be even better. I'm in no hurry to replace my Red, though.

 

Volume is controlled from within the computer or whatever you are using the DAC with; no volume control needed. It's also plug and play; no drivers needed.