i need a sound card [Archive] - Overclockers Forums

jnev_89

02-26-05, 12:15 AM

i just built my comp, but didn't get any ound card, thinking that the onboard is ok, when it's not. i'd like to get a nice sound card instead. i'm going to be mostly listening through headphones (right now i have some crappy sony's, but soon i will be getting some grado sr60's, or maybe even 80's). i'd like the card to be under $50, but i can go all the way up to $75. just wondering, but do any sound cards come with a built in amp, or do i have to get a seperate amp?

i've heard the av710 is a good card and it's only 25 bucks, but i can't really imagine something sounding good at that price. how big of an improvement will it be over my onboard sound?

thanks

jnev_89

02-26-05, 11:43 AM

anyone know? :(

cetoole

02-26-05, 02:38 PM

i've heard the av710 is a good card and it's only 25 bucks, but i can't really imagine something sounding good at that price. how big of an improvement will it be over my onboard sound?

thanks
Huge improvement, but an amp is recommended for even better sound. Check out Headfi (http://www.headfi.com). BTW, great choice in headphones.

jnev_89

02-26-05, 07:39 PM

i'm already registered on head-fi, i'm jnev over there. would spending around $70 get me noticeable differences over an av710?

someday i'd like to get an amp, but right now i can't even justify it since my zen micro doesn't have a line-out, so it'd be kinda pointless.

cetoole

02-26-05, 10:16 PM

jnev_89

02-27-05, 01:21 PM

but still, a line-out does help. as i said, i may get one eventually.

where can i find the emu you're talking about? it's not on newegg, iand i haven't heard of the brandname... are cards like the audigy zs or whatever good? or does it make more sense to just get an av710.

breez

02-27-05, 01:31 PM

With the Chaintech an amp is strongly recommended. As an alternative, SB Live! 24-bit might be worthy for the low price and can be used without an amp (front output is equipped with NJM 4556 op-amp suitable for driving headphones). You do need to use a music player which allows software resampling to 48KHz or 96KHz because 44.1KHz doesn't play well with Creative cards (foobar, winamp, can do this). The card uses the same DAC chip as Audigy 2 ZS and it measures quite well when used with 48KHz or 96KHz (for some reason the results look even better than Audigy2 ZS if I go by ixbt/digit-life results).

http://www.ixbt.com/multimedia/creative-live!24bit/creative-live!24bit-line-out-2496.shtml

jnev_89

02-27-05, 05:33 PM

i think i pretty much decided on a av710. you can't really go wrong for only $25. later i'll probably get an amp for it.

oh and thanks for the link... but i can't read russian (i can only speak it)

cetoole

02-27-05, 08:14 PM

The EMU 0404 (http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?product=2220&category=300&maincategory=), which, if you read around the Computers as Source forum on Headfi, retails for about $100, but is supposed to be quite good, and is going to be my next upgrade in sound, besides finishing my amps, casing the Pimeta and finishing the Mint. I have my Sennheiser cable built, and I think it is a bit of an improvement.

zabomb4163

02-28-05, 01:07 AM

another vote for the chaintech. i have a pair of 580s. most of the time i do my listening through my receiver though. Its a fine card and contrary to what some may say it does not hog resources.

*edit*

i like the Emu and M-audio lines of cards. audiotrak is also another company to look at.

shellshock

03-01-05, 02:50 PM

Creative is a good brand, If your looking for something cheap I would have to say the Creative Sound Blaster live series would be a good choise

zabomb4163

03-01-05, 03:31 PM

Creative is a good brand, If your looking for something cheap I would have to say the Creative Sound Blaster live series would be a good choise

he is aiming for quality shell. the thread starter is planning to buy nice headphones to use with the sound card.