Get Sound Blaster X7 or something else?

[Gondon72]

Currently I am using the new motherboard audio output to speakers. I am wondering whether it is still viable to get a soundcard or soundblaster X7 nowadays in 2020 (previously using Onkyo SE-200 soundcard). Currently there is a 30% discount on the sound blaster X7 USB DAC in creative shop ($350 after discount).

Any advice on this? Thanks. Mainly use for watching youtube or gaming.

 

[Entry Level PC]

Currently I am using the new motherboard audio output to speakers. I am wondering whether it is still viable to get a soundcard or soundblaster X7 nowadays in 2020 (previously using Onkyo SE-200 soundcard). Currently there is a 30% discount on the sound blaster X7 USB DAC in creative shop ($350 after discount).

Any advice on this? Thanks. Mainly use for watching youtube or gaming.

Please don't buy that 5yo outdated tech.
Get
Sound BlasterX G6
or
Sound Blaster X3

 

[naked123]

all dacs sound the same

same with audio cables

get an amplifier if your mobo audio too soft

 

[Entry Level PC]

all dacs sound the same

same with audio cables

get an amplifier if your mobo audio too soft

It does make difference in terms of "Clean" sound and "Balance" Audio.

 

[Gondon72]

noted and thanks all for the advice.

Ok, might need to find a small size amp then as i am using a pair of 4ohm speakers for my PC.

 

[86technie]

Which speaker are you using?
Actually sound card need not get so high end,
Soundblaster Z will do fine.
Next higher will be the new AE-7, difference is better DAC
as well as AE series are newer than Z.

 

[Gondon72]

Which speaker are you using?
Actually sound card need not get so high end,
Soundblaster Z will do fine.
Next higher will be the new AE-7, difference is better DAC
as well as AE series are newer than Z.

It is just a 4 ohm JVC small speakers that i took out from a micro-integrated amp to use.

 

[AnTiLooP]

wow, didnt know they have 30percent off storewide!

 

[Gondon72]

wow, didnt know they have 30percent off storewide!

not all at 30% discount thou. some items only where you can key in the discount code to use.

 

[86technie]

It is just a 4 ohm JVC small speakers that i took out from a micro-integrated amp to use.

Err.. suggest using that budget of X7 get Edifier R1280DB ($128)
and a soundblaster Z ($149)

 

[Apex]

Currently I am using the new motherboard audio output to speakers. I am wondering whether it is still viable to get a soundcard or soundblaster X7 nowadays in 2020 (previously using Onkyo SE-200 soundcard). Currently there is a 30% discount on the sound blaster X7 USB DAC in creative shop ($350 after discount).

Any advice on this? Thanks. Mainly use for watching youtube or gaming.

Actually I been using X7 (since it been release) so far like the sound and been using the in build mic for Zoom call. To let X7 perform your speaker is important.

Yes it maybe old but such thing (unlike graphic card) nothing much to update.

 

[naked123]

just buy E1DA 9038D

portable somemore

 

[Entry Level PC]

just buy E1DA 9038D

portable somemore

I would choose Fiio BTR 5 for portability.
Can both USB or Bluetooth.

 

[d3fc0n]

i bought asus soar. havent tried though coz PC havent build

 

[Gondon72]

just buy E1DA 9038D

portable somemore

i dont really listen to music etc when on traveling. so would prefer to have one for desktop kind that has output to speakers jack.

 

[wwenze]

X7 is only useful if you need a USB soundcard + a speaker amp + a headphone + a mic input at the same time, or at least 3 out of 4

The price is too expensive to justify using only 2 of those, which is why it did not catch on, unlike the original Sound Blaster which is value for money.

It is just a 4 ohm JVC small speakers that i took out from a micro-integrated amp to use.

If buying an amp just for this, the most I would spend is $60. In fact here is one for US$8.30
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/400...earchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

Reason is because, unless otherwise known, I assume the JVC speakers sound like sh*t and there is no reason to spend money on it. A $60 amp can power some pretty decent passive speakers already. And if you are starting from scratch and your total budget goes above $200, you are better off buying something like R2000DB or D1080 MK2+

 

[Gondon72]

X7 is only useful if you need a USB soundcard + a speaker amp + a headphone + a mic input at the same time, or at least 3 out of 4

The price is too expensive to justify using only 2 of those, which is why it did not catch on, unlike the original Sound Blaster which is value for money.



If buying an amp just for this, the most I would spend is $60. In fact here is one for US$8.30
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/400...earchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

Reason is because, unless otherwise known, I assume the JVC speakers sound like sh*t and there is no reason to spend money on it. A $60 amp can power some pretty decent passive speakers already. And if you are starting from scratch and your total budget goes above $200, you are better off buying something like R2000DB or D1080 MK2+

Yes, i think i will only be using USB soundcard + a speaker amp most of the time.

i prefer small speakers on my desktop for nearfield listening, else i will be using my ascend acoustic bookshelf speakers on it. used to have Acoustic energy speakers and klipsch promedia, but sell it off as i still prefer the sound from this speaker.

 

[Entry Level PC]

I am using "Fiio K3"
Very Clean and Balanced Sound.

 

[wwenze]

Then all the more not to spend too much on the amp since 1) The JVC must be pretty small to be considered worth using for their size versus your Ascend, and 2) You already know how proper sound is like and how spending more on amps and DACs don't change how a speaker performs.

If size is a concern and you have a budget I would buy iLoud and stop thinking about it. Don't even need a DAC because it has a built-in DSP (which makes getting a good DAC pointless).

 

[Lil_d3viLz]

Good thread on sound cards. Hijack. My speaker is just Swans M50W only. Specs written on the right.
If based on my needs, mainly movies and games on desktop, I do streaming and my current headphone with microphone tends to "take-in" the desktop speaker audio. Want my voice to be clear and crisp. Upgrade to better audio too.
Getting soundcard can solve such issue?
1. Creative AE-9
2. Creative AE-7
3. Creative X7-LE
4. Creative X7
5. Creative AE-5 Plus Pure Edition