Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Showing 1 of 1255 conversations about:
Jamalasaurus
18
Jun 18, 2017
bookmark_border
Before I join this drop, I'm using on board audio on my asus z97-a. I heard talk about amps, soundcards, unp cables and all that jazz but I have no idea what any of it means. Help?
Evshrug
3772
Community
Jun 20, 2017
bookmark_border
JamalasaurusYou just asked for a semester of audio gear classes, lol! So, uh, the short version, yeah?
Do you know the difference between discrete and integrated graphics cards? Your Asus motherboard contains integrated versions of Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) and amp. Soundcards are like discrete audio, they have more optimized DACs and Amps. The Cable that Sennheiser calls their UNP is just a headphone cable with one headset plug instead of two separate mic and headphone plugs.
Still lost? Here's the path of audio: Inside your computer/console/portable music player, audio is stored and accessed; this is labeled the Source. Effects can be added to the signal too, like EQ for more bass or virtual surround, using a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). Next, Our digital audio is ones and zeros, and these digital bits need to be converted to analog pulses of power, and that happens in the DAC. The "strength" behind these pulses comes from an Amplifier. The analog pulses travel through the headphone cable and activates magnets to push and pull the little speakers (Drivers) inside headphones at different speeds and movement distances, to create all the different sounds we are able to hear (all sounds come from something vibrating).
Soundcards have DSPs which make them special for gaming effects, and also their own DACs and Amps. So, you get an all-in-one solution that's better than beginner level, just plug in headphones! Not as good as dedicated separate devices, but easy to live with :)
Do you know the difference between discrete and integrated graphics cards? Your Asus motherboard contains integrated versions of Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) and amp. Soundcards are like discrete audio, they have more optimized DACs and Amps. The Cable that Sennheiser calls their UNP is just a headphone cable with one headset plug instead of two separate mic and headphone plugs.
Still lost? Here's the path of audio: Inside your computer/console/portable music player, audio is stored and accessed; this is labeled the Source. Effects can be added to the signal too, like EQ for more bass or virtual surround, using a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). Next, Our digital audio is ones and zeros, and these digital bits need to be converted to analog pulses of power, and that happens in the DAC. The "strength" behind these pulses comes from an Amplifier. The analog pulses travel through the headphone cable and activates magnets to push and pull the little speakers (Drivers) inside headphones at different speeds and movement distances, to create all the different sounds we are able to hear (all sounds come from something vibrating).
Soundcards have DSPs which make them special for gaming effects, and also their own DACs and Amps. So, you get an all-in-one solution that's better than beginner level, just plug in headphones! Not as good as dedicated separate devices, but easy to live with :)
Jamalasaurus
18
Jun 21, 2017
bookmark_border
EvshrugAlright, thanks. Can you link me to a couple good soundcards that are pretty cheap?
Related Products
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop