Sound Card recommendations (for a non audiophile)

Lethalmc · 5th May 2010, 3:33 PM

Mods: If this belongs in the sound card thread please close and I'll reply in that thread.

I recently upgraded some parts to my system and decided that I may give a sound card a go (i've never used one in any previous system before)

Currently Running:
i5 750
HD5770
4gb RAM
Win 7 32bit

I don't know much about sound systems/cards or the technical stuff about them, but the bottom line is, I want a better listening experience in terms of games and music (I rarely watch movies on my PC). There's nothing wrong with my onboard sound at the moment, but I'm feeling a bit impulsive and just wanna give it a go. I currently use a pair of Gamecom 377s for just about everything, sometimes I use my Logitech LS-21 speakers.

My mate has an X-Fi Xtreme Audio card that he got from CCPU (in carlingford, sydney), like me he's never used a sound card before and said it was brilliant at first, except after reading reviews and other recommendations he said he might have wanted to pay a bit more for the Asus Xonar DS.

I've done a little bit of research, my budget is actually $50-60ish, about the price of an X-Fi, but what people say is preventing me from pulling the trigger. I'm willing to push it just a little if you guys say it's worth it. I've looked around several PC shops and I'll probably be buying from MSY Auburn, I'm considering either the Auzentech X-studio 5.1 ($73) or Asus Xonar DS ($88), provided if they have stock (they're terrible at answering phone calls). If anyone can find a cheaper price online (that includes shipping) I'd be more than willing to have a look.

Having said all this, since I'm not an audiophile or experienced in the audio area, should I even bother with getting a new card? Are all the 5.1/7.1 channel differences going to affect me greatly if I'm predominantly using headphones?

Cheers guys

JackScottAU · 7th May 2010, 11:10 AM

The difference between 5.1 and 7.1 is negligible, even for most movies.

I haven't personally used any of the cards you've mentioned, but from the reviews I've read of the X-Fi series and the ASUS cards, the ASUS cards are definitely up a step from the X-Fi cards. That said, it probably doesn't matter.

If you're not an audiophile, you'll get a lot more difference from better speakers and using better source material (read: not listening to rap music

) than from any differences between discrete sound cards (note that I didn't mention all sound cards... onboard analogue output is still pretty crappy).

The Auzentech card is probably the go. They've basically taken the Creative X-Fi, and made it a little bit better.

Lethalmc · 8th May 2010, 10:06 AM

I went for the Asus, turns out it was within my original upgrade budget of $700. While things do sound a little more crisp and clear, with a bit more bass (at least with the EQ settings turned on), I can't really notice much more than these subtle changes, in my opinion. In terms of games, gun shots do have a little bit more depth or 'punch' to them.

Maybe it's my headset, I dunno, the sound is nice, but I'm not sure if it was $87 nice if I'm completely honest.

Huggy_Bear64 · 8th May 2010, 4:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lethalmc

things do sound a little more crisp and clear, with a bit more bass (at least with the EQ settings turned on), I can't really notice much more than these subtle changes, in my opinion. In terms of games, gun shots do have a little bit more depth or 'punch' to them.

That's what a good source does.

Give it a few weeks then try listening to the onboard again.

Tell us how it sounds

5th May 2010, 3:33 PM	#1
Lethalmc Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 9	Sound Card recommendations (for a non audiophile) Mods: If this belongs in the sound card thread please close and I'll reply in that thread. I recently upgraded some parts to my system and decided that I may give a sound card a go (i've never used one in any previous system before) Currently Running: i5 750 HD5770 4gb RAM Win 7 32bit I don't know much about sound systems/cards or the technical stuff about them, but the bottom line is, I want a better listening experience in terms of games and music (I rarely watch movies on my PC). There's nothing wrong with my onboard sound at the moment, but I'm feeling a bit impulsive and just wanna give it a go. I currently use a pair of Gamecom 377s for just about everything, sometimes I use my Logitech LS-21 speakers. My mate has an X-Fi Xtreme Audio card that he got from CCPU (in carlingford, sydney), like me he's never used a sound card before and said it was brilliant at first, except after reading reviews and other recommendations he said he might have wanted to pay a bit more for the Asus Xonar DS. I've done a little bit of research, my budget is actually $50-60ish, about the price of an X-Fi, but what people say is preventing me from pulling the trigger. I'm willing to push it just a little if you guys say it's worth it. I've looked around several PC shops and I'll probably be buying from MSY Auburn, I'm considering either the Auzentech X-studio 5.1 ($73) or Asus Xonar DS ($88), provided if they have stock (they're terrible at answering phone calls). If anyone can find a cheaper price online (that includes shipping) I'd be more than willing to have a look. Having said all this, since I'm not an audiophile or experienced in the audio area, should I even bother with getting a new card? Are all the 5.1/7.1 channel differences going to affect me greatly if I'm predominantly using headphones? Cheers guys

7th May 2010, 11:10 AM	#2
JackScottAU Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Hobart, Australia Posts: 45	The difference between 5.1 and 7.1 is negligible, even for most movies. I haven't personally used any of the cards you've mentioned, but from the reviews I've read of the X-Fi series and the ASUS cards, the ASUS cards are definitely up a step from the X-Fi cards. That said, it probably doesn't matter. If you're not an audiophile, you'll get a lot more difference from better speakers and using better source material (read: not listening to rap music ) than from any differences between discrete sound cards (note that I didn't mention all sound cards... onboard analogue output is still pretty crappy). The Auzentech card is probably the go. They've basically taken the Creative X-Fi, and made it a little bit better. __________________ Laptop (ASUS B33E): 2.4GHz i5-2430M, 16GiB DDR3, 120GB SSD, 1TB HDD

8th May 2010, 10:06 AM	#3
Lethalmc Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 9	I went for the Asus, turns out it was within my original upgrade budget of $700. While things do sound a little more crisp and clear, with a bit more bass (at least with the EQ settings turned on), I can't really notice much more than these subtle changes, in my opinion. In terms of games, gun shots do have a little bit more depth or 'punch' to them. Maybe it's my headset, I dunno, the sound is nice, but I'm not sure if it was $87 nice if I'm completely honest.