Should I buy A Soundcard or AMP?

[Guest]

Would I benefit from a AMP or soundcard? Current headphones http://us.akg.com/akg-product-detail_us/k-142-hd.html

 

 

[SSL]

What are we talking about when you say "benefit"?

 

More volume?  Warm fuzzy feeling from having dedicated audio hardware?

[Guest]

5 minutes ago, SSL said:

What are we talking about when you say "benefit"?

 

More volume?  Warm fuzzy feeling from having dedicated audio hardware?

Overall improved sound quality is what I'm talking about

[StevenSensei]

12 minutes ago, Bobby_Joe_90 said:

Would I benefit from a AMP or soundcard? Current headphones http://us.akg.com/akg-product-detail_us/k-142-hd.html

 

 

It all depends on what you need. In general it works like this.

 

1. Volume from audio source is not loud enough even when turned up high. -- You would benefit from an AMP. 

 

2. Audio is plenty loud but it sounds bad...hissing, popping, etc. You have an issue with noise that should not be in your sound. -- You need a DAC.

 

3. Your headphones are loud enough and there is no noise in your audio feed...you need nothing...keep using your equipment as is. 

[SSL]

Just now, Papakuma said:

2. Audio is plenty loud but it sounds bad...hissing, popping, etc. You have an issue with noise that should not be in your sound. -- You need a DAC.

 

Nope. You need to follow the guide in my signature because your system is misconfigured or defective.

[StevenSensei]

Just now, SSL said:

 

Nope. You need to follow the guide in my signature because your system is misconfigured or defective.

Ok, fair enough. So what is the quick and dirty "You need a DAC" then?

[SSL]

Just now, Papakuma said:

Ok, fair enough. So what is the quick and dirty "You need a DAC" then?

 

If your onboard is actually defective (e.g. all efforts at troubleshooting audio glitches fail) or you just want one. At which point asking a forum if you should buy one is pointless.

[BurblingBarbacoa]

By amp I assume you mean an external USB amp/dad or somthing like that. I would reccomend that you go external. You save a PCIe slot, PCIe bandwidth and a ugly soundcard (unless you shell out for the 'shielded soundcard' which are basically snake oil as they often have gaps, making them useless. An external amp also means easier access to volume control and inputs. There are also a wide variety of things like tube amps and ones that can have xls inputs etc. 

[Dackzy]

look at my post about this linked in my signature.