Soundcards vs. Headphones Amp

[cjsun9]

Hi All,

 

I'm planning on building a new computer relatively soon and I had an audio-based solution: should I get a sound card or a headphones amp for better quality audio? I have Bose QuietComfort 15 headphones (and am planning on buying Sennheiser HD8 DJ - any thoughts on best headphones for $400?) and I would be choosing between the AudioEngine D1 (http://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-D1-24-bit-Digital-to-Analog-Converter/dp/B006IPH5H2/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1400138226&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=audiotechnica+d1 - $170) or a sound card of roughly the same price, although I have on idea which one to get so some advice there would also be great, I mainly use my computer for bass heavy house music or gaming and almost always with good quality headphones.

 

Thanks a lot,

cjsun9

[NannerBeans]

HD8s are pretty overpriced. In that range, I would recommend Hifiman HE400, NAD Viso, or Mayflower modded Fostex T50RP v3s. The Hifiman and Fostex might need an amp and I would recommend an o2 amp for that and not the Audioengine D1. 

[Stefky]

I don't know much about soundcards, but even if they were equal quality sound-wise I would go with an 02 just for tbe convenience of an analogue volume dial and peace of mind that it's fairly flawless electronically and great value.

I'd second Nannerbeans headphone recs, adding that you can also get a virgin T50RP and have fun modding it yourself.

[cjsun9]

HD8s are pretty overpriced. In that range, I would recommend Hifiman HE400, NAD Viso, or Mayflower modded Fostex T50RP v3s. The Hifiman and Fostex might need an amp and I would recommend an o2 amp for that and not the Audioengine D1. 

 

 

I don't know much about soundcards, but even if they were equal quality sound-wise I would go with an 02 just for tbe convenience of an analogue volume dial and peace of mind that it's fairly flawless electronically and great value.

I'd second Nannerbeans headphone recs, adding that you can also get a virgin T50RP and have fun modding it yourself.

 

Is this the amp you mean? http://www.jdslabs.com/products/35/objective2-headphone-amplifier/

[EmoRarity]

Is this the amp you mean? http://www.jdslabs.com/products/35/objective2-headphone-amplifier/

Yeah. 

[Stefky]

Is this the amp you mean? http://www.jdslabs.com/products/35/objective2-headphone-amplifier/

 

If you're in the US, yes. For Europe try - http://epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/

 

It's an open-source design by a (now disappeared) audio blogger NWAVGuy.

[kishagi]

from what i understand, for music through headphones, an amp is best. for gaming and using speakers, soundcards are better - from what Ive been led to understand 

[ShearMe]

for gaming and using speakers, soundcards are better - from what Ive been led to understand 

 

You been trolled or misinformed

[BoredErica]

You been trolled or misinformed

It has been argued before that for gaming a sound card for positional effects from some sound card software makes it better than a normal dac/amp. What do you think?

[Recon-UK]

Sounblaster Z>>>>>Realtek 889 for gaming, but straight music and films, not really better per say, has a different sound slightly though, not really any better.

[ShearMe]

It has been argued before that for gaming a sound card for positional effects from some sound card software makes it better than a normal dac/amp. What do you think?

 

Oh, virtual surround... It's a complicated subject. Many new games already have some sort of virtual audio built in, plus Razer Surround is free software. There's minor differences in the way each soundcard does virtual surround so it's really a matter of individual preference as to which is best. You can watch plenty of youtube videos where you can compare the different codecs, but it's not quite the same as playing the game yourself. 

 

Usually, picking an open headphone with a wide soundstage gets you more bang for your buck than a soundcard.

[SSL]

Sounblaster Z>>>>>Realtek 889 for gaming, but straight music and films, not really better per say, has a different sound slightly though, not really any better.

 

Using virtual surround with stereo recorded music is disgusting and profane.

[Recon-UK]

Using virtual surround with stereo recorded music is disgusting and profane.

Yup, to be honest, the only thing good about this soundcard is gaming, which was the whole point in the first place

[Stefky]

from what i understand, for music through headphones, an amp is best. for gaming and using speakers, soundcards are better - from what Ive been led to understand 

 

What you probably heard is that not all headphone amp/DAC combinations have line level outputs to attach speakers to.