Picking Audio Cards

[HeroicSlayr]

Hi there! My first time posting here, so please forgive me if I don't meet the standards.

 

As of recent my interest in a better pair of headphones has been sparkled (and because of my Logitech G930's falling apart) so it is time to upgrade my kit.

 

My primary objective for the headphones was to have a V-shaped audio output, that's why I chose the Beyerdynamic DT770 pro 80 Ohm.

The second objective of my conquest is to find a suitable sound card that delivers me the sweet surround sound I love hearing. There are however a couple of restraints on this part:

- I liked how my G930 converted stereo to surround sound using Dolby Digital Headphones encoding, so having converter to surround sound is a must.

- I play on a workstation laptop with no room to fit in an internal sound card. So I've to use either a PCI to USB adapter with an internal sound card or an external sound card.

- And last: my budget on the soundcard is about 200€ (~220$).

 

I've narrowed my search options down to two cards I think fit these requirements, however I'm very new to this audio world and therefore I'd like to hear your opinions and suggestions.

 

Option #1

ASUS Xonar U7 Echelon Edition Specs

 

Option #2

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro Specs

 

Thanks a lot for helping me out!

[LIGISTX]

I have an X-fi, and I got it before Asus was in the game. At this point, I would say Asus. Also, my X-fi fatality titanium or whatever, it won't have a windows 10 driver till October... So that is dumb as hell.

[xTrekStorex]

Well if it really has to be, the ASUS is what I'd recommend. However.. did you think about a Fiio E10K or O2+ODAC?

[HeroicSlayr]

Well if it really has to be, the ASUS is what I'd recommend. However.. did you think about a Fiio E10K or O2+ODAC?

 

As I stated I'm super new to this world and have therefore only seen these two cards. So please suggest me more. I'll look into these two right away!

 

Edit: I've looking into both of these, however these do not support DD (or an equivalent of it for the surround sound).

[xTrekStorex]

As I stated I'm super new to this world and have therefore only seen these two cards. So please suggest me more. I'll look into these two right away!

 

Edit: I've looking into both of these, however these do not support DD (or an equivalent of it for the surround sound).

they are not cards but rather DACs with Amps on the which basically is what a soundcard has as well. these 2 are actually optimized for headphone use while soundcards actually are made for speakers and headphones making their soundquality slightly worse for experienced users. most headphones guys here will recommend you an external DAC + headphone-amp over any soundcard.

[HeroicSlayr]

they are not cards but rather DACs with Amps on the which basically is what a soundcard has as well. these 2 are actually optimized for headphone use while soundcards actually are made for speakers and headphones making their soundquality slightly worse for experienced users. most headphones guys here will recommend you an external DAC + headphone-amp over any soundcard.

Ahah like that. Pardon my newbieness, but I really like the surround sound coming from the Dolby Digital Headphone encoding. Can I achieve this with the soundcards you proposed, because I don't see them supporting the DD encoding? And if not: how will I be able to achieve this experience?

[xTrekStorex]

Ahah like that. Pardon my newbieness, but I really like the surround sound coming from the Dolby Digital Headphone encoding. Can I achieve this with the soundcards you proposed, because I don't see them supporting the DD encoding? And if not: how will I be able to achieve this experience?

I personally think DD is just marketing and actually I prefer my Fiio E10K over the DD soundcard on my mobo. Many people here also dont think much of these marketing names for audio. also surround is a rather overhyped marketing name, on headphones at least. you have 2 ears, the headphones should have 2 (full size) speakers. if you have a good source for audio (decent mp3s ~320kbit/s) and use a good DAC and amp the sound will be delivered the best way it can in this format.

 

I understand that some people prefer some effects on their audio like the bassy sound from soundblasters by creative or "surround" by the DD software, but personally I would never prefer "faked" sound over the original. The only thing I use are gain and bass boost on the E10K to improve the bass on my headphones since the DT880S are open headphones and loose a lot of base to that (but sound amazin in the highs and mids).

 

So, no they dont support DD. You might wanna try a DAC + headphone amp without it though just to make sure if you really want DD

[HeroicSlayr]

So I just ordered all to check them all out.

Here's a list of my order:

1. Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 Ohm
2. Asus Xonar Echelon U7
3. Fiio E10K
4. Creative Sound Blaster X-FI HD

As soon as I get them I'll update this thread with my reviews.

[Fluffinator]

So I just ordered all to check them all out.

Here's a list of my order:

1. Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 Ohm
2. Asus Xonar Echelon U7
3. Fiio E10K
4. Creative Sound Blaster X-FI HD

As soon as I get them I'll update this thread with my reviews.

A soundblaster z is pretty good, and has dolby digital encoding.

[HeroicSlayr]

A soundblaster z is pretty good, and has dolby digital encoding.

I put in the recommendations that I play on a laptop. Putting in an internal sound card doesn't solve my problem.

[azurezeed]

If it's a laptop just get the external DAC/AMP Fiio E10K