Realtek ALC889 codec good?

[orangecat]

So I plugged my headphones into my PC directly and holy crap does it get loud. I looked around on TomsHardware and they had some thing about the Realtek ALC889 codec and how it was pretty much top of the line for onboard audio and it has some impressive specs so I was wondering does it really matter?

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/high-end-pc-audio,3733-6.html

[MrYuriy]

So I plugged my headphones into my PC directly and holy crap does it get loud. I looked around on TomsHardware and they had some thing about the Realtek ALC889 codec and how it was pretty much top of the line for onboard audio and it has some impressive specs so I was wondering does it really matter?

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/high-end-pc-audio,3733-6.html

Yes, the Realtek ALC889 codec is phenomenal. And actually, there's been many tests, including done by myself, where the ALC889 was either a.) better than many sound cards, b.) pretty much the same in performance, or c.) if it was beaten, it was never worth the $200+ spent on the sound card.

 

Long story short, it is very, very impressive, and I do not recommend getting a sound card. Maybe a DAC, but the sound card would be a waste 90%+ of the time.. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. They are over-marketed and way too over-rated.

It's just those companies do such a great job at marketing and advertising, but a good high-end motherboard is more than enough.

 

Can anybody (that actually knows what they're talking about) give me an Amen? Prove to the rest you know what you're talking about, and lets bust the "you need a sound card for better audio performance" bubble!

[orangecat]

Yes, the Realtek ALC889 codec is phenomenal. And actually, there's been many tests, including done by myself, where the ALC889 was either a.) better than many sound cards, b.) pretty much the same in performance, or c.) if it was beaten, it was never worth the $200+ spent on the sound card.

 

Long story short, it is very, very impressive, and I do not recommend getting a sound card. Maybe a DAC, but the sound card would be a waste 90%+ of the time.. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. They are over-marketed and way too over-rated.

It's just those companies do such a great job at marketing and advertising, but a good high-end motherboard is more than enough.

 

Can anybody (that actually knows what they're talking about) give me an Amen? Prove to the rest you know what you're talking about, and lets bust the "you need a sound card for better audio performance" bubble!

I keep hearing people say that the specs are nice but there is allot of interference and noise on the signals that is why i'm considering getting a DAC and headphone amp because i'm tired of random background hissing or other odd sounds but i don't know exactly what causing it.

[MrYuriy]

I keep hearing people say that the specs are nice but there is allot of interference and noise on the signals that is why i'm considering getting a DAC and headphone amp because i'm tired of random background hissing or other odd sounds but i don't know exactly what causing it.

Yeah, as I mentioned, I always recommend a DAC/AMP. Especially if you want to reduce annoyances.

[Rekx]

Don't the Supreme FX II use ALC889 codec or am I mistaken?

[mr moose]

Yes, the Realtek ALC889 codec is phenomenal. And actually, there's been many tests, including done by myself, where the ALC889 was either a.) better than many sound cards, b.) pretty much the same in performance, or c.) if it was beaten, it was never worth the $200+ spent on the sound card.

 

Long story short, it is very, very impressive, and I do not recommend getting a sound card. Maybe a DAC, but the sound card would be a waste 90%+ of the time.. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. They are over-marketed and way too over-rated.

It's just those companies do such a great job at marketing and advertising, but a good high-end motherboard is more than enough.

 

Can anybody (that actually knows what they're talking about) give me an Amen? Prove to the rest you know what you're talking about, and lets bust the "you need a sound card for better audio performance" bubble!

AMEN!!