Soundcard recommendation

[Mach3.2]

come come..test your ears...

An Audiophile Workout: Philips Golden Ears Training | InnerFidelity

Interesting..

 

[fockyerdod3r]

I feel that the sound card and speakers must complement each other. For my speakers, when I use on board sound, its really bad.

 

[Felfirez]

I feel that the sound card and speakers must complement each other. For my speakers, when I use on board sound, its really bad.

It does sometimes. Factors like card output impedance differs from speaker's preamp/input impedance might cause such issues too. Sound it self is subjective, and when you factor in the technicality of it all, it might be too overwhelming for an average listener. Best to keep it simple and lessen the factors.

 

[Kince86]

come come..test your ears...

An Audiophile Workout: Philips Golden Ears Training | InnerFidelity

passed everything except frequency band (the 18 Choice Multiple choice XD) and of course cant even attempt the quiz.
Tiamat 2.2 with On board sound.

using front jack with the tiamat. does that affect anything?

sorry for the highjack XD

i dont believe in sound cards. my 2cents ://

 

[Gondon72]

Anyway, once you are used to the sound of your speakers and you dont ever compare with others, you will be fine.

*just dont itchy ears go and listen to others...

 

[fleas1]

when I first had a PC I had 2.0 speakers.

it was okay I guess.

Then I got myself a budget 2.1 speakers from sonic gear. Holyshit, it like pretty good for its price S$40. Windows can vibrate and sounds became more alive.

After that, I upgrade my speakers into a quality 2.1 form altec lansing. costs about S$275. Pretty good.

Then I decided to upgrade my sound card from onboard to creative Audigy 1 platinum. Then I started to hear sounds I didn't hear before in music and games. Creative had this EAX thing that "muffles" sound if they are coming from behind and I could adjust the tremble and bass which indirectly means I can increase them without them being distorted.

So what I can conclude is, if you gonna upgrade 2.1 to a 2.1, the difference is almost minimal unless its from a cheap one to a expensive high quality one. Even still, its not very big difference. Same goes with sound card though it varies on what type of sound card you purchase.

I upgraded my Audigy platinum to xonar DX as Audigy 1 do no have win7 support and tbh, they sound about the same just that I can't adjust my bass and tremble. I am aware that speakers can't tell the difference as much as 5.1 or headphones but onboard to dedicated soundcards do make a difference.

I would suggest creative sound blaster Z because of software.

 

[yewtee7]

Get a DAC, - recommend Creative Omni

and a good pair of speakers - recommend Creative T20, will do.

You don't need a soundcard, seriously.

 

[Swordsman]

i pair blaster z with swans m50w..

the game background music and movie background music sounds so muffled and weak.

when i switch back to onboard.

it sound so much better..


can i see yr settings for gamings and movies ?

 

[Swordsman]

Unless TS has I) Golden Ears, II) all sources are lossless and III) has quality speakers, please don't waste your money on internal soundcards, of which you are paying mostly for their marketing of "ZOMG SOUND TECHNOLOGY" mumbo jumbo

My own setup: onboard ALC898 to swans M50W

thats what i thought.

 

[fleas1]

did you adjust your tremble and bass settings?

 

[robolee]

Get a DAC, - recommend Creative Omni

and a good pair of speakers - recommend Creative T20, will do.

You don't need a soundcard, seriously.

I second this. A good DAC is better than a sound card

 

[Mach3.2]

A good DAC is important for music..

But most DAC that is made for audiophiles don't have "gaming features"

 

[isaacfok]

I used to go with Creative Soundblaster Audigy, then after I changed rigged, I decided to try the onboard sound. Same speakers as before, and I could not hear the difference

Then I got myself a good gaming headset and that is where I can start hearing the surround sound in games like BF4, Ghost Recon, etc. Anyway, FYI the headset doesn't go through the onboard sound, it has it's own sound processor and is connected via usb.

 

[ahwei91]

Get a DAC, - recommend Creative Omni

and a good pair of speakers - recommend Creative T20, will do.

You don't need a soundcard, seriously.

Creative Omni is a DAC, not an external sound card ????

 

[shadow84]

External soundcard = dac...

 

[kicknikuku]

thats what i thought.

LOL

 

[Mach3.2]

External soundcard = dac...

I thought a sound card itself is a DAC..?

 

[shadow84]

I thought a sound card itself is a DAC..?

Not all internal soundcard can act as a DAC, but external is cfm DAC de.

 

[Felfirez]

Soundcard, DAC, external DAC. They're all the same thing; converting digital to analog. In short, audio interfaces.

Not all external audio interfaces are better than internal ones. Those gaming DACs emphasize on what gamers would want; surround/large staging, sub-bass punch, etc. Whereas other normal DACs emphasize on clarity, neutrality (which not many will appreciate). For an average user, something like a Fiio e17, Creative Titanium HD, etc. are more recommended.

 

[Ark Law]

For an average user, something like a Fiio e17, Creative Titanium HD, etc. are more recommended.

Average users don't even need a soundcard/DAC. Only those who think they need an upgrade "need" them.