Posted December 27, 2015 As I'm quite a noob when it comes to audio stuff, What is the main difference between these 2 as I can't see anything that would make the STXII all that much better and worth roughly a £100 more. STXII - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus-xonar-essence-stx-ii-sc-021-as.html Phoebus - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus-rog-xonar-phoebus-solo-7.1-pci-e-soundcard-sc-017-as.html Battle.Net - Dicehunter#2746 Origin - Dicehunter Steam - Dicehunter Uplay - Dicehunter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted December 27, 2015 As I'm quite a noob when it comes to audio stuff, What is the main difference between these 2 as I can't see anything that would make the STXII all that much better and worth roughly a £100 more. STXII - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus-xonar-essence-stx-ii-sc-021-as.html Phoebus - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus-rog-xonar-phoebus-solo-7.1-pci-e-soundcard-sc-017-as.html Unless you're planning to use a 5.1/7.1 speakers setup, there's no point to either of these and better off with an external dac/amp. If you're looking to power the dt990, I wouldn't bother and just stick with the onboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted December 27, 2015 Author Unless you're planning to use a 5.1/7.1 speakers setup, there's no point to either of these and better off with an external dac/amp. If you're looking to power the dt990, I wouldn't bother and just stick with the onboard. The onboard is quite crap though and I can tell it's lacking in quite a few places and not doing these cans any favours. I'm not keen on external solutions hence the either/or question Battle.Net - Dicehunter#2746 Origin - Dicehunter Steam - Dicehunter Uplay - Dicehunter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted December 27, 2015 The onboard is quite crap though and I can tell it's lacking in quite a few places and not doing these cans any favours. I'm not keen on external solutions hence the either/or question Up to you, but if I have a $200~ budget I'd go for external solution and not waste time with sound cards. What's lacking with your onboard exactly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted December 27, 2015 Author Up to you, but if I have a $200~ budget I'd go for external solution and not waste time with sound cards. What's lacking with your onboard exactly? It just sounds tinny, I've tried my 990's on a friends Phoebus and it sounded so much better but if I end up going the slightly higher end headphone route I thought the STXII would have be a better buy, Slight future proofing etc... ? Battle.Net - Dicehunter#2746 Origin - Dicehunter Steam - Dicehunter Uplay - Dicehunter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted December 27, 2015 It just sounds tinny, I've tried my 990's on a friends Phoebus and it sounded so much better but if I end up going the slightly higher end headphone route I thought the STXII would have be a better buy, Slight future proofing etc... ? It will do, but soundcards often have unnecessary features that no one who cares about fidelity should ever use, and I'm not a fan of having to deal with drivers. For future proofing, you're better off getting magni/modi stack or o2+odac from Massdrop. For sub $100, can't go wrong with smsl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted December 27, 2015 It just sounds tinny, I've tried my 990's on a friends Phoebus and it sounded so much better but if I end up going the slightly higher end headphone route I thought the STXII would have be a better buy, Slight future proofing etc... ? Get a Schiit Magni 2. If you're not getting noise/interference from your onboard, don't waste money on a DAC. An amp like the Magni will more than "future proof" your audio setup. Audio Reference • Cutting the Crap • 7.1 Headphones? • Audio Interference Troubleshooting GuideREVIEWS • HiFiMan HE-560 • Beyerdynamic T1 2. Generation • Schiit Bifrost 4490 • Schiit Valhalla 2RECOMMENDATIONS • The Audio Board's Recommended Gear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted December 27, 2015 Author Get a Schiit Magni 2. If you're not getting noise/interference from your onboard, don't waste money on a DAC. An amp like the Magni will more than "future proof" your audio setup. I shall look into it thank you. Battle.Net - Dicehunter#2746 Origin - Dicehunter Steam - Dicehunter Uplay - Dicehunter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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