Pound For Sound

[No One Puts A Real Name]

My currency isn't realy pounds. I just want to use that title. :D

 

I posted this because i want to know the best bang for the buck sound card. I want to include a sound card in my upcoming build.

[Lyons]

This question cannot be answered without:

 

- your budget

- your audio hardware (headphones/speakers/receiver etc.)

- your audio interface (3.5mm/6.35mm jack, RCA, etc.)

- your avaliable PCIe slot(s)

- your country/currency

- whether or not you will consider a DAC/DAC-amp combo

 

Yes, you need a budget. The best one is usually the best one you can afford.

 

Please read the sticky. It is relevant to almost any thread made in this sub-forum.

[No One Puts A Real Name]

My budget is around $100 USD
I have Pioneer HDJ-500, Corsair vengance 1300 and philips o'neill

all are 3.5mm

2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (dual x16)
2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode, black)
1 x PCIe 2.0 x1
1 x PCI

Im from the Philippines

(I don't know anything about DAC/DAC-amp combo)

[Lyons]

In the case of the headphones you currently own, do not bother getting a soundcard. It is simply not worth it. They are all incapable of benefiting to any degree of significance from a soundcard, especially a $100 one. Save up some more, maybe get some Audio Technica ATH-M50's or Sennhieser HD558's, THEN get a soundcard, probably the Asus Xonar DX.

[h264]

Honestly, you only need a soundcard if:

 

1) your headphones don't get loud enough at 80-90% volume to you liking when listening to music (unboosted in software of course!).

 

2) you hear very audible noise, distortion, or other whiny noises.

 

The best solution for noise is an external audio device like a FiiO E10, Schiit Magni+Modi, or O2+ODAC.  For volume, a Xonar DG is probably enough even for most 300 Ohm headphones easily, and maybe even more sensitive 600 Ohm headphones.

 

Basically, sound cards are overkill and don't add much value.  They don't sound like anything at all.  They don't improve your music.  If they have a headphone amp, they can actually make things worse if the output impedance is too high.

 

see:

 

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/11018-problem-with-soundheadsoundcard/?p=120216

 

If you have headphones with impedances at or over 80 Ohms, soundcards like these work fine.  Well, maybe not so much in Creative's case, but you get the point.

[That Norwegian Guy]

Basically, sound cards are overkill and don't add much value.

 

Pardon my French but this is just about the most ignorant blanket statement I've ever read. And though this is the internet, I'm not even exaggerating.

[Darell3]

When i got my sound card i can hear things WAY more clearer, i have the Xonar DGX and i have hear a significant improvement from my onboard to sound card it was really worth the buy.

[tito]

Pardon my French but this is just about the most ignorant blanket statement I've ever read. And though this is the internet, I'm not even exaggerating.

Totally agree!!

On-board Sound cards are crappy lets face it.

Go get some Asus Xonar DG or similiar, you will notice a big difference, besides you do not need such a fancy headphones as those that were recommended a few posts ago (im not saying that those are bad, those are GREAT headphones). If you play uncompressed audio the difference will be more noticeable than playing regular MP3, also gaming and movies, you will get a tons of benefits.

Havent you ever heard linus repeating over and over again how good is it to not depend on crappy on board sound?

[h264]

The thread is called "Pound for Sound".  The best way to improve that is to improve the source you listen to.  In today's world, that means making all your digital music files lossless.  Not transcoding to lossless.  FLAC rips of CDs (or HD Tracks) are your biggest pound for sound.

 

Then headphones and speakers.

 

Then your amplifiers and DACs(sound cards).

 

In that order.  As I described above a sound card might be desireable for a couple reasons, but overall improvement is MUCH better with better recordings and a nice pair of headphones or speakers.  There are PLENTY of good headphones that can be driven perfectly well on on-board audio.  If not, even the cheapest of amplifiers can easily bridge that gap.

 

Maybe your onboard lacks a digital out.  Maybe your on-board audio IS pretty crappy.  Even still, sound cards (Amplifiers and Digtial to Analog convertors) should be a secondary consideration unless you don't already have one that can sufficiently drive your headphones or speakers to volume.    I learned this the hard way, and you guys will too one day. Maybe.

 

 

Pardon my French but this is just about the most ignorant blanket statement I've ever read. And though this is the internet, I'm not even exaggerating.

 

Congratulations, that's now my signature.  Is that French French or French Canadian?