Jump to content

Best External Dac to Improve Sound Quality

TheNinjaNextDor
By TheNinjaNextDor
in Audio
 Share
Posted

I know absolutely nothing about audio except the basic stuff and my Xonar DX was DOA. Instead of getting a replacement I want to get an external solution instead because I heard they are better. What would you recommend for about $50 to $80 that will sound better than my onboard sound? Thanks!

Build Log


Define R4 case mod

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Something like this :)

 

http://www.amazon.com/Fiio-E10-USB-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B005VO7LG6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388992431&sr=8-1&keywords=Fiio+e10

Tor
Corsair Obsidian 650D - Intel 4770K CPU - Gigabyte G1 Sniper 5 - ASUS GTX 780 Direct CU 2 - Kingston Beast Hyperx Beast 16 GB RAM -  Corsair AX 1200i PSU - Samsung EVO drive 750 GB - Corsair AF series 120mm fans - Corsair H100i - Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013 edition - Razer Ouroboros - Razer Manticor - Windows 7 - Beyerdynamic MMX 300

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Fiio E10 USB DAC Headphone Amplifier

 

http://www.amazon.com/Fiio-E10-USB-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B005VO7LG6

FX 6300 @ 4.2 Gigahurtz 1.325V ,  ASRock 970 Extreme 4 mobo  ,  Kingston Hyperx Blu 2X4GB @1600Mhz  , Asus GTX 960 DCU ii Black OC  , Hyper 212 Evo , Samsung 850 Evo 250 GB , WD 1 TB caviar Green , Xonar DG sound card , Seasonic M12ii Evo 620W PSU , Corsair 200R case ,4 random case fans.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I think everyone is going to say fiio E10 lol

 

It's a simple and cheap solution :lol:

                    Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 | Intel Core i7 4790k | Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming GT                              Notebook: Dell XPS 13

                 16GB Kingston HyperX Fury | 2x Asus GeForce GTX 680 OC SLI | Corsair H60 2013

           Seasonic Platinum 1050W | 2x Samsung 840 EVO 250GB RAID 0 | WD 1TB & 2TB Green                                 dat 1080p-ness

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted (edited)

I think everyone is going to say fiio E10 lol

Yes cause no one wants go get a earful by suggesting a sound card or some other shit..............you should know what I know!

Edited by kizoku_95

FX 6300 @ 4.2 Gigahurtz 1.325V ,  ASRock 970 Extreme 4 mobo  ,  Kingston Hyperx Blu 2X4GB @1600Mhz  , Asus GTX 960 DCU ii Black OC  , Hyper 212 Evo , Samsung 850 Evo 250 GB , WD 1 TB caviar Green , Xonar DG sound card , Seasonic M12ii Evo 620W PSU , Corsair 200R case ,4 random case fans.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I know absolutely nothing about audio except the basic stuff and my Xonar DX was DOA. Instead of getting a replacement I want to get an external solution instead because I heard they are better. What would you recommend for about $50 to $80 that will sound better than my onboard sound? Thanks!

What headphones do you use ?..........just out of curiosity!

FX 6300 @ 4.2 Gigahurtz 1.325V ,  ASRock 970 Extreme 4 mobo  ,  Kingston Hyperx Blu 2X4GB @1600Mhz  , Asus GTX 960 DCU ii Black OC  , Hyper 212 Evo , Samsung 850 Evo 250 GB , WD 1 TB caviar Green , Xonar DG sound card , Seasonic M12ii Evo 620W PSU , Corsair 200R case ,4 random case fans.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Does that have mic in and audio out or just audio out?

No mic support!

FX 6300 @ 4.2 Gigahurtz 1.325V ,  ASRock 970 Extreme 4 mobo  ,  Kingston Hyperx Blu 2X4GB @1600Mhz  , Asus GTX 960 DCU ii Black OC  , Hyper 212 Evo , Samsung 850 Evo 250 GB , WD 1 TB caviar Green , Xonar DG sound card , Seasonic M12ii Evo 620W PSU , Corsair 200R case ,4 random case fans.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Oh no! What would be a good way to have mic support?

External DACs currently do not support mic input...........someone must be able to help you out with that!

FX 6300 @ 4.2 Gigahurtz 1.325V ,  ASRock 970 Extreme 4 mobo  ,  Kingston Hyperx Blu 2X4GB @1600Mhz  , Asus GTX 960 DCU ii Black OC  , Hyper 212 Evo , Samsung 850 Evo 250 GB , WD 1 TB caviar Green , Xonar DG sound card , Seasonic M12ii Evo 620W PSU , Corsair 200R case ,4 random case fans.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

External DACs currently do not support mic input...........someone must be able to help you out with that!

Hmmm. Thanks for the help!

Edit: im just going to buy an extension cable for my mic in and plug that into my motherboard.

Build Log


Define R4 case mod

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Astro A40. Pretty good for gaming headphones.

 

Don't get a different DAC if you're using A40s. They use the optical S/PDIF output. The A40's MixAmp is the DAC and chances are you'll get little benefit.

                    Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 | Intel Core i7 4790k | Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming GT                              Notebook: Dell XPS 13

                 16GB Kingston HyperX Fury | 2x Asus GeForce GTX 680 OC SLI | Corsair H60 2013

           Seasonic Platinum 1050W | 2x Samsung 840 EVO 250GB RAID 0 | WD 1TB & 2TB Green                                 dat 1080p-ness

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Don't get a different DAC if you're using A40s. They use the optical S/PDIF output. The A40's MixAmp is the DAC and chances are you'll get little benefit.

I bought the pc version which is $100 cheaper and doesnt include the mixamp.

Build Log


Define R4 case mod

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I bought the pc version which is $100 cheaper and doesnt include the mixamp.

 

Ah ;) Then go for it. I didn't want you wasting the MixAmp :P

                    Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 | Intel Core i7 4790k | Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming GT                              Notebook: Dell XPS 13

                 16GB Kingston HyperX Fury | 2x Asus GeForce GTX 680 OC SLI | Corsair H60 2013

           Seasonic Platinum 1050W | 2x Samsung 840 EVO 250GB RAID 0 | WD 1TB & 2TB Green                                 dat 1080p-ness

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

What board does the op have because chances are it will make little to no difference

Desktop -  i5 4670k, GTX 770, Maximums VI Hero, 2X Kingston Hyper X 3k in raid zero.

Laptop - Lenovo X230 Intel 535 480GB, 16GB Gskill memory, Classic Keyboard Mod, Triple USB 3.0 Express Card.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Mayflower is just above my current budget, they need to design something similar for mass production at the same price range as the fiio e10.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Mayflower is just above my current budget, they need to design something similar for mass production at the same price range as the fiio e10.

 

Easier said than done ;)

 

You have to cut a lot of corners to bring a good product to market under $100, something we don't want to do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Audio

×