Next step up from DGX ?

[G.Freeman]

I have owned many Sound Cards from about every Sound Blaster X-FI range to a lowly Sound Blaster Audigy SE and now have an Asus Xonar DGX in my current setup. What is the best sound card on the market right now Sound Blaster Z series or Essence STX or something else ?

[t0wer]

http://redwineaudio.com/components/bellina-hpa

 

not the best but pretty high up there.

[G.Freeman]

http://redwineaudio.com/components/bellina-hpa

 

not the best but pretty high up there.

I rather something in the PCI E range as I don't need and cannot use really high quality external DAC/AMPs due to the fact that I do not have the gear to justify the cost.

[h264]

I rather something in the PCI E range as I don't need and cannot use really high quality external DAC/AMPs due to the fact that I do not have the gear to justify the cost.

You just answered your own question. Get better headphones first.

[Aphexx]

looks like you've jumped around and bought a lot of soundcards. can you describe what exactly you didn't like about them that made you jump around like that?

[G.Freeman]

looks like you've jumped around and bought a lot of soundcards. can you describe what exactly you didn't like about them that made you jump around like that?

Just to try them out cause I could. Every Creative Sound Blaster X-FI card sound exactly the same as I found out that it's just the marketing that changes not the hardware. I heard Asus Xonar cards are the best right now so thought I would check one out and for $40 bucks it's a cheap upgrade to quality sound imo.

[G.Freeman]

You just answered your own question. Get better headphones first.

 

 

It's not worth it to me to spend much on headphones as I hate wearing them and I believe actual proper speakers sound better imo. I might pick up a pair of Klipsch image One headphones for $100 at some point.

[Theo]

Definitely not the STX since its intended use is with headphones, the ST is good but it's pci which is gettinf old so I dno if future motherboards will support it, but a xonar pheubus or somethkbg is pretty good for speakers imo

[h264]

It's not worth it to me to spend much on headphones as I hate wearing them and I believe actual proper speakers sound better imo. I might pick up a pair of Klipsch image One headphones for $100 at some point.

 

right, you wanted speakers, sorry.  Still, get better speakers.

[dre92]

I have a Xonar DX and Edifier HCS2330 2.1 speaker for about a year now, and I haven't got any problem since the first time I put my hands on them. One thing I learn, it is true that sound card matters on the sound quality, but at the same time you also need to have a good speaker/headset. My previous speaker is the cheap one from Altec Lansing (I forgot the type) which is also 2.1 speaker, and it is still far worse than my Edifier even if it is connected to my Xonar DX. Now, I am sure you will get better sound quality out of the premium class sound card, but you won't be able to tell the difference unless it is supported by good speaker/headset as well. You can't pair a $200 sound card with a $40 speaker. Your DGX is already a good sound card, so try to find better speaker (usually around $100-$150 price range).