Audio upgrade options(AU)

[Hazy125]

I have $200AU to spend... Now, I have several things I would like to get and unfortunately it cannot be saved for something bigger due to the circumstances of getting the money, it's a Christmas thing.

 

Anyway, the first thing that came to mind was an audio upgrade. I'm looking at PCCG at the moment because I have no idea if better audio shops exist in Australia, but if they do please recommend. My current audio setup is just a $30 microsoft headset running off of the headsets USB soundcard. I want to know the best course of action to get the best upgrade for my system. I don't really play games at all, so it's probably be a music oriented setup. Microphone quality is really important to me so I was thinking of getting a snowball, but they're already $110. I do record audio coming out of the soundcard and such which is also important, so I don't need a headphone upgrade yet ........

 

I don't know. If a good audio set up just simply cannot be done in Australia on my budget then I will start buying SSD's for a planned build in the future... Or build a Monsta sandwich for my current watercooling loop...

[defunkt]

@MayflowerElectronics

[MayflowerElectronics]

http://www.noisymotel.com/product.asp?ProductID=333

[Hazy125]

http://www.noisymotel.com/product.asp?ProductID=333

So you think it's a better idea to skip soundcards/DAC's and just get a good pair of headphones

[Parkway Drive]

So you think it's a better idea to skip soundcards/DAC's and just get a good pair of headphones

 

Yes, if you're looking for the best audio upgrade then headphones first. What are you recording with your mic?

 

If you're looking for open headphones the Sen HD558 just went on sale on this online store for under $150 AUD!

http://www.eglobaldigitalcameras.com.au/sennheiser-hd558-on-ear-home-cinema-hifi-headphones.html

 

If you are recording or broadcasting then you'll want something closed instead

[Hazy125]

Yes, if you're looking for the best audio upgrade then headphones first. What are you recording with your mic?

I play games very rarely, but when I do I record/edit/upload.... So yeah

[MayflowerElectronics]

Yes, sound cards are stupid.

[Parkway Drive]

I play games very rarely, but when I do I record/edit/upload.... So yeah

 

Yeh get a cheaper mic even the blue snowflake may suffice. If you're not broadcasting or need the absolute highest quality. I'd managed to get better recordings out of a $2 boom mic from ebay than from any headset mics I've ever used or experienced.

 

Could always try a zalman clip on as well as long as it was mounted better and not rubbing against clothes while recording, cheaper option but there's innovative ways to mount it that could save a bit of money.

 

If you're looking for a long road investment and know you'll be recording or broadcasting often then you can invest into the blue snowball and be done with all the hassles that may come down the line with mounting other mics.

 

If you want the biggest improvement to audio quality on your listening end then headphones is the way to go first. Improve your own experience before others, unless you cater to a huge audience with your recordings.

[Hazy125]

Headphones and snowball down the track it is. Thanks guys, I really have no clue about audio