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Soundcard vs amp question

Post Date: 2011-01-09
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cheebamaster View Drop Down
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Posts: 134 		  Quote cheebamaster Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Soundcard vs amp question
    Posted: 09 Jan 2011 at 4:40pm
So, I bought a DS rig awhile back and bought a pair of Sennheisers hd550 with it. I am looking to improve the quality of my sound but am not sure whether or not to spend 400 bucks on a good amp, or do I need a soundcard?
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Mr. View Drop Down
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Posts: 510 		  Quote Mr. Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 09 Jan 2011 at 5:56pm
you dont need an amp for the 550's but it does sound better with an amp. But even if u do have an amp its not worth it with an onboard. its the source thats the most important, then what your using to hear. so its Soundcard then headphone/speakers. if u still feel ur headphones need amping then buy an amp. or u can just get a soundcard with built in headphone amps.
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ablahblah View Drop Down
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Posts: 2312 		  Quote ablahblah Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 09 Jan 2011 at 6:24pm
I say soundcard, it's the source that matters to me. You can only take a lower quality source so far, if you want better sound look to improving the source.
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cheebamaster View Drop Down
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Posts: 134 		  Quote cheebamaster Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 10 Jan 2011 at 10:52am
any suggestions for a soundcard that would be good with my system?

running Win7 64bit
asus p6x58d mobo with 2x 5870's

...I think I have 1 extra slot for it?

never installed one before...is it pretty easy?
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Mr. View Drop Down
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Posts: 510 		  Quote Mr. Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 10 Jan 2011 at 6:55pm
pci or pcie and depends on your budget, and your ears. With 550's you can go with a xonar dx or similar for a regular soundcard but it isnt aimed at games, the ones DS has in their menu are good too. Grr... my stx is on their menu now after i custom orderd it for 250.... but yea i have the xonar stx, Great card IMO, built in headphone amps although your 550 wont need it it def sounds better with it. I have the 595's. Other suggestions are omega claro and the claro halo. Lots of decisions to make depending on your budget, plans to get better speakers or headphones, and your ears which is the most important of them all.

EDIT: yes its easy to install a sound card.

Edited by Mr. - 10 Jan 2011 at 6:56pm
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!ender_ View Drop Down
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Posts: 4219 		  Quote !ender_ Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 12 Jan 2011 at 8:42pm
this was said, but id defititely get the sound card before getting an amp, as ahbla said, the quality of the signal would be lost in translation, and an amp would probably make it worse without a sound card first
they are quite easy to install and soundcards really havent changed much for gamers in several years, the asus xonar d1 and dx are good, the creative xfi xtreme gamer is mine and i love it
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