Upgrading from Auzentech Prelude...

[TheSacredSoul]

Which card to upgrade to? Creative ZXR or Xonar Essence STX? Or any other card that is recommended? Using Aego M 2.1 speakers. Priority is music playback.

 

[sglords]

Get ext Dac/amp

 

[CCCustom]

Prelude is PCI. The other 2 are PCIe. Are you upgrading on the same motherboard or different? Do you have an available PCIe slot for it that isn't blocked by your graphics card, or preferably have a slot that is further away from your graphics card so it doesn't block the airflow of your graphics card's fan(s)?

Might sound like really basic questions, but you'll be surprised that people overlook such things before buying.

 

[Lordzephyr9]

get creative X7

 

[master_audio]

Get ext Dac/amp

Since the priority is music playback, I would suggest the same too.

 

[TheSacredSoul]

I really do not have any experience with ext dac/amps. How are they connected to the PC? And which would you recommend for a budget of about 300?

Thanks!

 

[XeonHacker]

surpork creative dac surpork uncle sim

 

[Lordzephyr9]

u can topup abit more for X7 or just get o2dac.

 

[TheSacredSoul]

How about Schiit Modi and Magni combo?

 

[Elijahonli]

How about Schiit Modi and Magni combo?

also great options...

 

[TheSacredSoul]

USB external DAC can be used for gaming too right? I dont need any pro-gaming sound. Just regular sound is fine

 

[Goodshot]

Is there a big diff between dac and $250+pci soundcard ?

 

[Elijahonli]

Is there a big diff between dac and $250+pci soundcard ?

DAC = soundcard, soundcard = DAC....

 

[Elijahonli]

USB external DAC can be used for gaming too right? I dont need any pro-gaming sound. Just regular sound is fine

gaming audio is gimmicky...

 

[ongrasp]

Get FiiO lahs...~~ cheap and good

 

[XcoldstarX]

Get this if you are using speakers:
http://schiit.com/products/modi-2

If using headphones/iems too, can get this together:
http://schiit.com/products/magni-2

 

[TheSacredSoul]

Get this if you are using speakers:
http://schiit.com/products/modi-2

If using headphones/iems too, can get this together:
http://schiit.com/products/magni-2

That's what I am considering actually

 

[enenyi]

I really do not have any experience with ext dac/amps. How are they connected to the PC? And which would you recommend for a budget of about 300?

Thanks!

Getting a Fiio would be good enough for u.

But i think u shldnt be looking at upgrading the souncard/DAC as it would be very marginal improvement. Even the best soundcards/DACs paired with lousy speakers fare no better than good speakers with onboard audio DAC. If music playback is ur priority, best to get studio monitors. Audioengine A2+ or Presonus E4.5 are 2 good cheaper-range studio monitors u can consider, compact-sized like ur Aego M system.

 

[TheSacredSoul]

Getting a Fiio would be good enough for u.

But i think u shldnt be looking at upgrading the souncard/DAC as it would be very marginal improvement. Even the best soundcards/DACs paired with lousy speakers fare no better than good speakers with onboard audio DAC. If music playback is ur priority, best to get studio monitors. Audioengine A2+ or Presonus E4.5 are 2 good cheaper-range studio monitors u can consider, compact-sized like ur Aego M system.

I know the Aego M's are old but I always thought they were pretty decent, at least at the time I got them. Perhaps you are right. Upgrade speakers first. Is it possible/advisable to hook up the Aego M subwoofer with those speakers you mentioned?

 

[enenyi]

I know the Aego M's are old but I always thought they were pretty decent, at least at the time I got them. Perhaps you are right. Upgrade speakers first. Is it possible/advisable to hook up the Aego M subwoofer with those speakers you mentioned?

It is possible, but whether advisable or not depends on personal preference. The Presonus E4.5 sells at $269 at Cinemax, the AudioEngine A2+ sells at $399 at AVOne. These are 'entry-level' studio monitors, hence they may be lacking in the bass department. If u r basshead kind, can pair with the subwoofer (google for solutions). Else I find these studio monitors will impress, even with the Auzentech Prelude u have now.

Disclaimer: Once u audition these studio monitors, the sound quality is so impressive that u may not wanna go back to mainstream 2.1 speakers again...:13: