External sound card/dac/headphone amp?

[JTMarch86]

Hey guys.
I am wanting to add a sound card to my system, since the onboard audio just isn't cutting it for me.

I recently bought Klipsch Pro Media 2.1's which sound pretty good, but they could use a real sound card.

I also use headphones at night.

I have a Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS (got it for free). I just installed it.. and honestly.. I'm not impressed.

It doesn't sound any better than my on board audio that my ASUS P8Z68-V Pro mb has.

So, here's what I need;

 

I need something to give me better quality sound to both my Pro Media 2.1's and headphones, Preferably with a headphone amp built in.

I would also prefer it to be external since I run 2 660Ti's in SLI, there's not much room for a card.

But I do have a 1x PCI-E slot open at the top that I could use that wouldn't interfere with my gpu's. (so it is an option)

 

What would you guys suggest me buying?

I really don't want to spend a lot.

Preferably under $100

 

I saw some good stuff from FiiO like:

Olympus E10: http://fiio.com.cn/products/index.aspx?ID=100000028262517&MenuID=105026003

 

E09K: http://fiio.com.cn/products/index.aspx?ID=100000017625376&MenuID=105026003

 

E11: http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E11-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B0053KWDES/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1374670243&sr=8-2&keywords=FiiO+E12

 

or E12: http://www.amazon.com/E12-Blanc-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00B6QXWIY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374670243&sr=8-1&keywords=FiiO+E12

 

I also saw this from ASUS:

Xonas U3: http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Xonar-Sound-Cards-XONAR_U3/dp/B0054L8GVK/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1374669198&sr=8-9&keywords=asus+xonar

 

or the Creative X-Fi HD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102032

 

 

The last option I found was this Creative Recon3D, which would match my color scheme too:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16874789001

 

 

Are there better options than the ones I've found?

and which one would you guys choose and why?

 

 

Thanks for all the help guys!!

 

 

[JTMarch86]

This E07K is getting GREAT reviews. Do you guy's think this would be what I need?

http://www.amazon.com/E07K-Andes-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00A9LHLQ6/ref=pd_cp_e_3

 

 

This E17 looks really good too. I like that it has a screen as well

http://www.amazon.com/Fiio-E17-USB-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B0070UFMOW/ref=pd_cp_e_2

[t0wer]

if you're unimpressed with the audigy I doubt you'll be impressed by something else.

from my experience there's not a huge difference between sources.

 

you'd be better off buying better speakers or headphones.

but if you have to buy something, e10 is what I'd get.

[JTMarch86]

if you're unimpressed with the audigy I doubt you'll be impressed by something else.

from my experience there's not a huge difference between sources.

you'd be better off buying better speakers or headphones.

but if you have to buy something, e10 is what IThe

The SB Audigy is like.. over 6 years old.. and the drivers suck. ( the game port drivers won't even install) I would also like better software. I downloaded all the software for it on the Creative website, and I would really like more control over the sound than it lets me.

It's also geared toward gamers, which we all know means... bleh.

I just bought the Pro Media speakers, and theyre quite good. I probably would have preferred the Corsair 2500's, but I didn't have enough money for it at the time. Either way, it's not the speakers I'm worried about.

Anyways, have you used the FiiO E10 before? How does it sound?

I like an even full sound with deep bass, think I'll be able to get that from the E10?

[h264]

The SB Audigy is like.. over 6 years old.. and the drivers suck. ( the game port drivers won't even install) I would also like better software. I downloaded all the software for it on the Creative website, and I would really like more control over the sound than it lets me.

It's also geared toward gamers, which we all know means... bleh.

I just bought the Pro Media speakers, and theyre quite good. I probably would have preferred the Corsair 2500's, but I didn't have enough money for it at the time. Either way, it's not the speakers I'm worried about.

Anyways, have you used the FiiO E10 before? How does it sound?

I like an even full sound with deep bass, think I'll be able to get that from the E10?

It's got a bass boost switch if you really want more bass. Even got a line out for speakers too.

[Gorgatron]

It's got a bass boost switch if you really want more bass. Even got a line out for speakers too.

This. The E10 should do it just fine and I think is the cheapest solution.

[JTMarch86]

I ended up going with the FiiO E07K.

I'll let you guys know how it sounds when it arrives. =)

[Gorgatron]

I ended up going with the FiiO E07K.

I'll let you guys know how it sounds when it arrives. =)

Cool dude I love you.

[h264]

>TI PCM2706 USB receiver, 48 kHz 16-bit support for Windows XP/2000/Vista/7 and Mac OS

 

interesting, the E07K is only 16bit / 48Khz. Really doesn't make a difference though.

[t0wer]

>TI PCM2706 USB receiver, 48 kHz 16-bit support for Windows XP/2000/Vista/7 and Mac OS

 

interesting, the E07K is only 16bit / 48Khz. Really doesn't make a difference though.

 

that's normal for usb dacs.

the newer usb receivers need drivers to get higher bit depth/frequencies.

at least if my information isn't obsolete yet.

[JTMarch86]

>TI PCM2706 USB receiver, 48 kHz 16-bit support for Windows XP/2000/Vista/7 and Mac OS

 

interesting, the E07K is only 16bit / 48Khz. Really doesn't make a difference though.

I think it will do the job. I was comparing the E07K to the E10, and it seemed that the E07K was the better deal.

It has quite a few more features, and the added bonus of it being truly portable, i can use it with my phone or tablet.

And it's also more configurable. The screen is a plus too, should look good on my desk ;)

[Focux]

I also wanna get a Fiio now! But between the E07K and E10, which is more ideal?

Also can one use the E07K whilst it's charging?

Much appreciated!

[Gorgatron]

I also wanna get a Fiio now! But between the E07K and E10, which is more ideal?

Also can one use the E07K whilst it's charging?

Much appreciated!

Probably. E10 is cheaper if you don't need it for a portable device like iPod or Sansa ClipZip

[Focux]

Probably. E10 is cheaper if you don't need it for a portable device like iPod or Sansa ClipZip

Where I am, it's a $10 diff between the E07K & E10. 7K being the more costly one.

[ShearMe]

Where I am, it's a $10 diff between the E07K & E10. 7K being the more costly one.

 

E10 has analog volume control and a better amp, E07k has more settings to tinker with and is portable.

[Focux]

E10 has analog volume control and a better amp, E07k has more settings to tinker with and is portable.

Hmm..that's abit like digital vs analog lol

[t0wer]

but analog volume is vastly superior to digital. imo

[ShearMe]

but analog volume is vastly superior to digital. imo

 

Oh gahds yes. Nothing like cranking it up when a good song's playing.

[Focux]

wow E12 looks very nice too!

[h264]

Hmm..that's abit like digital vs analog lol

 

digital volume controls wouldn't be so bad if they weren't stepped so steeply half the time.

 

 

wow E12 looks very nice too!

 

E12 doesn't have a DAC, just an AMP.  But, yeah, it's more compact.

[Focux]

digital volume controls wouldn't be so bad if they weren't stepped so steeply half the time.

E12 doesn't have a DAC, just an AMP. But, yeah, it's more compact.

Oh! Theres no DAC? Oops lol

[t0wer]

e7 and e17 are the portable amps w/ dacs