ASUS Xonar DG or DAC?

[98Luyoh]

Hi! Getting a pair of ATH-M50's and after a lot of research and thinking I am leaning towards getting a Xonar DG sound card with the headphones. It's so cheap I might as well get it over my onboard sound. BUT, I am not sure weather the Xonar DG is the best option or if I should look into an external DAC in the same price range? Any recomendations would be great, thanks. 

[Warpheus]

If your mobo isn't to old, i'd not buy this soundcard. Just make sure you plug the ATH-M50s directly into the back of your mobo and i think you'll be fine.

 

Start saving up for a nice AMP/DAC. :-)

[98Luyoh]

If your mobo isn't to old, i'd not buy this soundcard. Just make sure you plug the ATH-M50s directly into the back of your mobo and i think you'll be fine.

 

Start saving up for a nice AMP/DAC. :-)

 

The thing is I have a P8Z68-V LX which is pretty old.. It uses Realtek ALC887.

[Warpheus]

The Xonar DG will not make that big of a difference.

 

Start reading a bit on the forum and you'll find a nice AMP/DAC.

 

Use the ATH-M50 with your mobo and the get something like the objective o2.

[Warpheus]

I got this:

 

http://www.amazon.de/Pro-Ject-DAC-externe-Soundkarte-schwarz/dp/B006GMJIN6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400444480&sr=8-1&keywords=dac+box

 

http://www.amazon.de/Pro-Ject-Head-Box-S-Kopfh%C3%B6rerverst%C3%A4rker/dp/B006NY1GAU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400444578&sr=8-1&keywords=head+box

[Guest]

You do not need to replace your on-board audio with those headphones, unless it doesn't work properly. Just enjoy them and save your money.

[creatip123]

I've used ALC887 (before it died), and got a DG for replacement. Sound quality wise, no discernible step up. I do like the controller application, which is easier to use, and pretty rich in features (compared to realtek), and the built in amp is a plus, to drive big headphones (M50 should be fine without it). 

 

In short, don't get it as an upgrade. It's ideal for a replacement, if your onboard died, like mine, but that's about it. I'm now using a Fiio E10, and tucked my DG in its original box....

[BoredErica]

Again, depends on the implementation of the audio chip.

If your headphones need amping then maybe amping will help. Otherwise, no. And normally a $30 card will do just fine if the mobo is crap.

 

Frankly there isn't really even a need for Objective. Even that is overkill. But sometimes people like overkill.

[Wats]

is there interference from onboard sound? Like when you move your mouse you can "hear" it in the headphones. sounds like coil whine...through the headphones!

 

If theres no problems why fix it lol. unless you just want a nice usb DAC for use with better headphones in the future. M50s dont need to be amped, any cell phone will make them bang. Or put that money into your rig some other way....or go have a nice fish dinner idk.