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Kiffer
45
Dec 1, 2016
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Apologies for the noob question but will I see a tangible difference in audio quality between a sound card (Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Professional) and the use of an external DAC/amplifier in conjunction with Sennheiser HD 6XX? If so, can anyone recommend a good setup that would allow a 2.1 (Audioengine A5+ and subwoofer) and the use of the Sennheiser HD 6XX ?
Dec 1, 2016
Heefty
1387
Dec 1, 2016
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KifferGreat question. Having recently acquired a new desktop I've been noodling the same question. I'm looking at the SMSL V2 at the moment and intending to get the linear power supply for it at a later time. However, if an internal dedicated sound card is equally good, I'd certainly prefer to free up the desk space.
In general it seems that sound cards make their selling point on surround sound and being targeted at gaming, and in my experience, they are not as good as the external DAC/Amps I've used. I'm not convinced that a decent onboard card doesn't exist though.
Dec 1, 2016
Vizard424
47
Dec 1, 2016
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KifferIf you just want to hear audio through your headphones then you may not hear any real benefits between the on board card and an external unit. If you like to sit there listening to audio and be really focused on what you're hearing then you may. Unfortunately there's no best way to tell how your experience will be until you try it out for yourself. Strictly speaking, you only really need an external DAC if your card or audio source is creating noise or other negative sound artifacts. The amplifier on the other hand can and will produce a much more tangible difference, especially on the HD6XX which has a moderately heavy impedance.
My personal setup at the moment is a USB from my computer to a Schiit stack (Modi 2 Uber (DAC) which then sends the signal to my Magni 2 Uber(AMP)) which then sends the signal to a pair of JBL LSR305s (powered monitors, like your Audioengine A5+, just pre-set the volume on your speakers and subs and leave it). That way I can control all the audio through the headphone amplifier and it will automatically mute my speakers when I plug in my headphones.
If you have a bit more money to spend, people have been posting glowing reviews of the Schiit Jotunheim which can do all that in one box instead. SMSL has a good selection of headphone DAC/amps too like the M3 or M6 or like mentioned above the VA2 for just an amp and of course you have the ever popular ODAC and Objective2 Amps from many many manufacturers (which can be found in separate boxes or all in one chassis).
Dec 1, 2016
Kiffer
45
Dec 1, 2016
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HeeftyThank you very much for taking the time to reply. I will try the headphones with the sound card first and see how I get on first. I was just curious if anyone else had been in a similar predicament where they could use a solid internal sound card instead of forking over extra money for potentially superfluous equipment!
Dec 1, 2016
Kiffer
45
Dec 1, 2016
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Vizard424Thank you for taking the time to reply. I will try it out myself first and see if the sound card is able to power it sufficiently. I have taken your advice on-board and I have the Schiit Jotunheim in my sights in case my sound card doesn't do the trick!
Dec 1, 2016
MC3700
37
Dec 3, 2016
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KifferLook into the Micca Origin+. It's a great cheap option if u want to easily switch from powered monitors to your headphones, also has a built in DAC.
Dec 3, 2016
iCeOL8TRAmnesia
132
Dec 4, 2016
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KifferYou want an iDSD or a Chord Mojo and an iFi iCan SE. Skip over schitt and o2 those are old answers and they are weak and lame and not that detailed. NEVER BUY AUDIO FROM A COMPUTER COMPANY ALWAYS BUY AUDIO FROM AN AUDIO COMPANY AND LOOK FOR THE BEST STUFF ON HEAD-FI. ALL THE OTHER ANSWERS IN THIS THREAD ARE LAME I GAVE YOU A WAY SUPERIOR ANSWER ALL THAT STUFF IS TOO WEAK AND LOOSE FOR SOMETHING LIKE HD650S. FORGET SMSL THEY DONT HAVE THAT MUCH POWER OR BITRATE AND YOU HAVE TO BUY THE POWER SUPPLY TO MAKE IT SOMEWHAT DECENT iDSD or Chord Mojo + iFi iCan SE will blow SMSL out of the water.
Dec 4, 2016
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