Do i need soundcard?

[sadboy]

I would rather you focus on getting a better pair of speaker/sound system first.

2nd focus on your audio type. If you listening Mp3 download from internet… Any sound card does the trick.

3rd with a better speaker, it does give a better good sound experience. Change the sound card last and it really depends what your source

 

[garfield82]

I think bottom line is this.

Do you need sound cards?
Do you need water cooling?
Do you need high-end graphics card just you can watercool it to surf net?
(DONT hide! i know some guys here do that!)


soo

HOOT FIRST, REGRET LATER, HOOT AGAIN

 

[Ark Law]

STX is better.
Those using soundcard, can try listen to something called CD music and hear the difference in harmonics!

Either STX on Amazon fire sale, or get a decent external DAC already. Anything higher than STX, the value spent on an internal soundcard diminishes compared to an external setup

My own thoughts: As I get busier with getting a taste of an adult working life, I find little time to DL FLAC albums, sort it into my library and play them at their finest. I hardly have time to think about getting a proper DAC, proper lossless library, proper quality media player, proper audiophile-ish setup, etc. I just get my premium internet radio stream at the highest bitrate (256kbps MP3) and let it play 24/7 from my 2.1 Swans powered by onboard sound.

IMO:
Upgrade the end equipment first -> speakers/headphone/earphone
Upgrade the source file/stream second -> up the bit rate quality
Upgrade the source equipment last -> sound card/DAC/portable music player

 

[fockyerdod3r]

Get a DAC. Confirm 100% got difference. I'm using a cheapo DAC, but sounds way better than on board sound.

 

[Silverback84]

actually most people are unable to tell the different if you are using a DAC or onboard soundcard.

if you have the money to blow and want a better sound I suggest a DAC lo.

 

[tensaixp]

Active Subs usually comes with their own crossover/low pass filter. You just need a mono signal out to it, usually a loop out from the main LR speakers.

Catch no ball, so in my case, I'm using a Corsair SP 2500, can use DAC?

 

[shadow84]

Catch no ball, so in my case, I'm using a Corsair SP 2500, can use DAC?

How is your SP2500? In terms of music, games, movies?

 

[Elijahonli]

To TS: if u are happy with what u are hearing now then dont bother.

Just to avoid confusion:
onboard/intergrated sound, dedicated sound cards, external dacs are all DACs

The difference is that some dacs are better then the other.

 

[nannan82]

to each his own... i personnally cant do without soundcard.....

i always put aside around 500 for sound if i building new rig....

for me... onboard always sound too flat.. maybe it jus me...

 

[mypillowtalks]

Borrow one from your friend to try.

In my opinion, i feel that my sound system without a soundcard sounds better than my friend's sound system with a soundcard.

 

[tensaixp]

How is your SP2500? In terms of music, games, movies?

Great bass, FLACs sound great, movies are good too, but I can't really compare with my old speakers which is some inspire 5.1 that i used for about 7 years?

 

[shadow84]

Great bass, FLACs sound great, movies are good too, but I can't really compare with my old speakers which is some inspire 5.1 that i used for about 7 years?

How about music wise?

 

[tensaixp]

How about music wise?

Good, listening to flacs to fully enjoy it. Crisp. Though according to reviews, the swans m50 should be better at the same price range, but the corsairs looks better.

 

[Ark Law]

How about music wise?

SP2500 - Gaming and movies
M50W - Music

 

[shadow84]

SP2500 - Gaming and movies
M50W - Music

Haiz, still deciding between both....

 

[Felfirez]

Great bass, FLACs sound great, movies are good too, but I can't really compare with my old speakers which is some inspire 5.1 that i used for about 7 years?

Flac sounds great? That totally depends on your conversion quality and bitrate. Has nothing to do with speakers.

 

[bhtan83]

Haiz, still deciding between both....

go with m50.

sp2500 the bass is too strong for my liking.

 

[shadow84]

go with m50.

sp2500 the bass is too strong for my liking.

If m50 bass is strong enough.... Haven gt a chance to hear both side by side...

 

[tensaixp]

Flac sounds great? That totally depends on your conversion quality and bitrate. Has nothing to do with speakers.

I mean if speakers are bad, however good the source would be wasted.

 

[soufigo]

to each his own... i personnally cant do without soundcard.....

i always put aside around 500 for sound if i building new rig....

for me... onboard always sound too flat.. maybe it jus me...

I using soundcard with my razer tiamat 7.1 headphones. my on board sound too flat. when play BF4 the guns sound like pellet rifles..haha. my soundcard gives it more oomph.. worth it or not I cant comment..to each his own. but unlike many detractors say, there is actually indeed a difference from on board.