Headphone & computer setup questions
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Headphone & computer setup questions
Ok, so I decided to get my computer set up for some serious sound since I game so often and most of my late night watching of movies is on my computer.
So, I got a pair of AKG 65th anniversary headphones and am looking to get a FiiO E07K amp. But, the soundcard is giving me headaches.
So, my best set up for gaming & movies is:
So, my two road-bumps are my soundcard (I only have an integrated motherboard one) and what connects the amp to the USB soundcard.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
So, I got a pair of AKG 65th anniversary headphones and am looking to get a FiiO E07K amp. But, the soundcard is giving me headaches.
So, my best set up for gaming & movies is:
- My AKG 65th headphones connects via RCA to the FiiO amp. (I think)
- FiiO amp connects to the USB sound card via ???
- Creative Soundblaster XFi Surround Pro 5.1 or Recon3D or ??? (I don't have room for a integrated soundcard thanks to crossfired cards... not sure what to get here) connects to the PC via USB cable.
So, my two road-bumps are my soundcard (I only have an integrated motherboard one) and what connects the amp to the USB soundcard.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Re: Headphone & computer setup questions
The external amp takes away the need for a soundcard. It doesn't plug into one, it just plugs into any USB port and supplies a better DAC. (Maybe I misunderstood, but the E07K doesn't need another USB soundcard, it is one itself) From the Amazon description, this would be a valid generic description for any USB DAC:
Wolfson seems to be a big name in standalone DACs, just like Analog Devices is for receivers or BDps, and ESS Sabre for high-end receivers/BDp. Should be a nice amp.
FiiO E7 portable headphone amplifier with USB audio decoder (DAC). This product is designed to replace PC on board sound card that do not have enough output power for higher-end headphone. With USB audio decoding, amplification and audio output, E7 can serve as both a professional headphone amplifier as well as an external USB sound card.
Last edited by Spiky; 05-28-13 at 11:30 PM. Reason: parenthetical
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Re: Headphone & computer setup questions
Thanks for the comments guys. I'm borrowing a friend's ASUS PCI XONAR ESSENCE card to see if it'll fit between my other cards. If it does, it'll basically simplify my setup to a much easier "headphones-to-sound card" deal. If that does not work, I'll go back to looking for an external setup.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OV789U/..._M3T1_ST1_dp_1
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OV789U/..._M3T1_ST1_dp_1